Eczema Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What is eczema?

A

pruritic papulovesicular skin reaction to endogenous + exogenous agents
Inflammatory
ATOPIC (reaction to allergens)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

List 3 exogenous types of eczema

A
Irritant contact (e.g. nappy rash) 
Allergic contact (delayed type 4 hypersensitivity reaction to an allergen e.g. Nickel) 
Eczema herpeticum
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

List 6 endogenous types of eczema

A
Atopic  
Seborrhoeic 
Pompholyx (affects the hands + feet)  
Varicose
Asteatotic
Discoid
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe the epidemiology of eczema

A

Contact: prevalence: 4%
Atopic: onset in 1st year of life, childhood incidence: 10-20%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

List 6 symptoms of eczema

A
Itching
Heat  
Tenderness  
Redness  
Weeping  
Crusting
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

List 4 signs of acute eczema

A

Poorly demarcated erythematous oedematous dry scaling patches
Papules
Vesicles with exudation + crusting
Excoriation marks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

List 4 signs of chronic eczema

A

Thickened epidermis
Skin lichenification
Fissures
Change in pigmentation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe the distribution of atopic eczema

A

Mainly on flexures + face

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe seborrhoeic eczema

A

Yellow greasy scales on erythematous plaques.

Commonly found on eyebrows, scalp, presternal area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Describe pompholyx eczema. What is this also known as?

A

Vesiculobullous eruption on palms + soles

Dyshidrotic eczema

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Describe varicose eczema

A

associated with marked varicose veins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What investigations are required for contact eczema?

A

Skin patch testing: a disc containing allergens is diluted + applied on the skin for 48hrs. Positive if causes a red raised lesion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What investigations are required for atopic eczema?

A

Lab testing e.g. IgE levels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What causes varicose eczema?

A

Increased venous pressure in lower limbs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What should you ask about when taking a history of a patient with suspected eczema?

A

Occupational exposure to irritants e.g. Bleach

Personal/ family hx of atopy e.g. asthma, hay fever

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Describe discoid (nummular) eczema

A

coin shaped, on legs + trunk

17
Q

Describe asteatotic eczema

A

dry, crackled pattern

18
Q

Describe the pathophysiology of eczema

A

cells of the stratum corneum form a barrier: between the cells there are lipids + proteins.
Defects in this barrier leads to eczema.

19
Q

What gene mutation increases risk of eczema?

A

Filaggrin gene mutation

20
Q

List 5 common triggers for eczema

A
Soaps/ shampoo
Food allergies
Pollen
House dust mites
Pets
21
Q

What is eczema herpeticum?

A

Superimposed herpes infection
HSV colonises due to the broken skin barrier, esp if topical steroids are used.
Causes small ulcer lesions
Tx: Acyclovir