Eczema

Question 1

Another name for eczema

Answer 1

Dermatitis

Question 2

Types

Answer 2

Atopic

Exogenous (contact dermatitis)

Question 3

Describe Atopic presentation

Answer 3

Itchy rash mostly of the folds of the elbow/knee, hands and face/scalp in children
Causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked (sore)

Question 4

Pathophysiology of atopic

Answer 4

It is thought that a Defect in Epithelial barrier function allows antigenic material and irritants to penetrate and come into contact with immune cells -> immune response.
Can also have flare ups

Question 5

Aetiology of atopic

Examples of exacerbating factors

Answer 5

Genetic
Exacerbating elements include strong detergents, pet hair and some dietary antigens.
can develop Alongside other conditions such as asthma and hay fever
Food allergies (in younger children sometimes)

Question 6

Epidemiology of atopic

Answer 6

Most common form

More common in children - chronic but can improve as get older

Question 7

Diagnostic tests of both types

Answer 7

Clinical

Question 8

Treatment of atopic

Answer 8

ARCC
Avoid irritants
Regular emollients to hydrate
Corticosteroids (hydrocortisone)
Calcineurin inhibitors: tacrolimus (immunosuppressive)

Question 9

Complications of atopic

Answer 9

Scratching can cause exorciations -> broken skin -> OPPORTUNISTIC S. aureus or herpes simplex INFECTION

Question 10

Describe exogenous (contact dermatitis)

Answer 10

itchy rash following contact with an irritant

Question 11

Pathophysiology of exogenous

Answer 11

Chemical irritants -> very noticeably demarcated lesion (as if a splash of liquid). Type IV sensitivity reaction.

Question 12

Aetiology of exogenous

Answer 12

Exposure to irritants (usually industrial solvents, can be nickel etc)

Question 13

Clinical presentation of exogenous

Answer 13

Sharply demarcated skin inflammation: red, crusting and scaling, fissures, hyperpigmentation (if chronic)

Question 14

Epidemiology of exogenous

Answer 14

Women more than men

Question 15

Treatment of exogenous

Answer 15

Avoid irritants
Steroid cream
Antipruritic creams

Question 16

Other types of eczema

Answer 16

Discoid eczema – a type of eczema that occurs in circular or oval patches on the skin
Contact dermatitis – a type of eczema that occurs when the body comes into contact with a particular substance
Varicose eczema – a type of eczema that most often affects the lower legs and is caused by problems with the flow of blood through the leg veins
Seborrhoeic eczema – a type of eczema where red, scaly patches develop on the sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears and scalp
Dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx) – a type of eczema that causes tiny blisters to erupt across the palms of the hands

Question 17

Type of hypersensitivity

Answer 17

IV

Question 18

More common type of eczema

Answer 18

Atopic