Eczema and dermatitis Flashcards
T/F
Exogenous eczema means spongiotic dermatoses caused by things contacting the skin
True
mainly treat by removing the trigger
What are the causes of exogenous eczemas?
Irritant contact dermatitis Allergic contact dermatitis Photoallergic contact dermatitis Phototoxic contact dermatitis inc phytophotodermatitis Eczematous PMLE Dermatophytide (Id reaction) Infectious eczema e.g. Discoid Post-traumatic eczema
T/F
phototoxic drug reactions are a type of Exogenous eczema
False
phototoxic drug reactions are sunburn like rather than eczematous if due to systemic drugs
Phototoxic contact dermatitis is an exogenous eczema
T/F
generalized endogenous eczema is a valid diagnosis in elderly people
True
If doesnt fit a recognised type and no exogenous cause found
T/F
All eczematous dermatoses have acute, subacute and chronic lesions
False
eczema does but many other have single charcteristic appearances which are often acute
e.g. pompholyx, phytophotodermatitis
T/F
Autoeczematization means the same as dermatophytide or ‘Id’ reaction
False
Autoeczematization is secondary dissemination of eczema
‘Id reaction’ or ‘dermatophytide’ etc is used if the primary site is infection rather than eczema
Whic type of eczema most commonly causes autoeczematization?
stasis dermatitis
Also, regardless of cause, more likely if primary eczema site is on feet or legs
T/F
Typical for hand eczemas to spread to feet and vice versa
True
autoeczematization
T/F
Autoeczematization only occurs in long established eczemas
False
Eczema may have been present for any duration of time before spread
T/F
Dissemination (autoeczematization) often follows a local flare
True
How does autoeczematization present?
Often the eruption is symmetrical and striking
Starts as oedematous papules or papulovesicles or sometimes macules or wheals – soon become eczematous lesions
Can become generalized, can become erythroderma
T/F
Autoeczematization responds to Rx of the primary site but worsens if primary site worsens
True
What is meant by ‘conditioned hyperirritability’?
Skin away from the eczema site is more prone to flare up from irritants than normal skin
o Can be the cause for high proportion of irritant reactions to patch tests and the ‘angry back’ syndrome
o Unclear if this is the real cause of autoeczematisation reactions
T/F
Eczematous (spongiotic) drug reactions are a type of Exogenous eczema
False
Classified as endogenous as not due to something contacting the skin
What are the clinical appearances of eczematous drug eruptions?
Localized eczema Generalized eczema (AD-like) seb derm-like Erythroderma Pompholyx (esp IVIg) Baboon syndrome subtype of ‘systemic contact-type dermatitis (medicamentosa)’
T/F
SDRIFE is the same thing as Baboon syndrome as a presentation of systemic contact dermatitis
False
Look the same and both called Baboon syndrome but Symmetrical Drug-Related Intertriginous and Flexural Exanthema (SDRIFE) is a clinical pattern of drug reaction caused by a normal oral drug exposure not oral ingestion of a contact allergen
T/F
Phenytoin is a classic cause of a widespread eczematous eruption which can involve flexures resembling atopic dermatitis
False
this is Carbamazepine
T/F
IVIg can cause cheiropompholyx
True
What is systemic contact-type dermatitis (medicamentosa)?
AKA ‘systemically reactivated contact dermatitis’ or ‘systemic contact dermatitis’
whereby a rash is precipitated by ingestion of a drug or compound to which the patient has a contact allergy due to prior physical contact of the same or a related compound
Can present as Baboon syndrome or another clinical pattern
What are the causes of systemic contact dermatitis?
Many
People sensitive to balsam of Peru can get rcns to ingested Cinnamon, vanilla, cloves or inhalation of tincture of benzoin
Pts sensitized to nickel, chromium, parabens, propylene glycol or sorbic acid can get rcns when these are ingested
Which allergens are associated with the Baboon syndrome presentation of systemic conatct dermatitis?
Nickel, chromium, balsam of Peru
T/F
systemic contact dermatitis often first or most severely affects site of prior ACD
True
T/F
systemic contact dermatitis is often symmetrical
True
T/F
Contact sensitization to neomycin can result in systemic contact dermatitis when gentamicin is given
True
also if given systemic neomycin
T/F
Contact sensitization to thiurams can result in systemic contact dermatitis when aminophylline is given
False
when disulfiram is given
T/F
Contact sensitization to ethylenediamine can result in systemic contact dermatitis when aminophylline is given
True
also when cetirizine or hydroxyzine given
T/F
Sorbic acid is found in foods such as strawberries, sweets, margarine and cheeses
True
can cause systemic contact dermatitis if contact allergy to sorbic acid
T/F
marinated fish products, jams and jellies, pickles and preserves contain parabens
True
can cause systemic contact dermatitis if contact allergy to parabens
T/F
Contact sensitization to propylene glycol can result in systemic contact dermatitis when antihypertensives are given
False
antihistamines
What are the top causes of eyelid dermatitis?
Atopic
Seborrhoeic
ACD esp nail varnish/acrylics, fragrance, make up, rubber, eye drops
T/F
Eczema craquele only occurs on the legs
False
Mainly on legs esp shins but can be arms and hands, lower flanks or posterior axillary line
can generalize
What are ‘parchment pulps’
dry and cracked fingertip pulps – maintain a depression after pressing
T/F
Discoid eczema can complicate Eczema craquele
True
T/F
Eczema craquele is not itchy
False
very itchy esp at night
What is the treatment of Eczema craquele?
soap free wash
BD greasy emollient (paraffin, petrolatum, lanolin, ceramide or urea)
may need weak-mod TCS to settle any inflammation
May need to reduce heat and increase humidity at home
Avoid long or hot baths
T/F
Chronic superficial scaly dermatitis is a prelymphomatous eruption
False
Thought to be abortive type of CTCL esp if clonal lymphocytic infiltrate
Whta is the difference if any between Chronic superficial scaly dermatitis and prelymphomatous eruption
Prelymphomatous eruption can look very similar but has finer scale, more angulated patches and is more itchy
Also histo shows spongiosis and minimal infiltrate in benign Chronic superficial scaly dermatitis but is more towards MF in prelymphoma eruption
If develop atrophy or reticulate pigmentation reclassify as ‘prelymphomatous poikiloderma’
T/F
Chronic superficial scaly dermatitis is the same as Small plaque parapsoriasis and digitate dermatosis
True
Digitate dermatosis is a variant which presents as elongated finger-like patches symmetrically distributed on flanks
T/F
Patches of Chronic superficial scaly dermatitis measure less than 5cm in diameter
True
except in digitate dermatosis
What is the natural history of Chronic superficial scaly dermatitis?
what is the treatment?
Persist for years or decades
Resistant to sustained remission
Risk of progression to MF is from zero to
May transform to prelymphomatous eruption with an increased risk of progression to MF
treat with emollients, TCS, UVB
T/F
symmetrical rash on borders of fingers is a characteristic dermatophytide reaction to tinea pedis
True
T/F
dermatophytide persists even when the fungus is treated
False
resolves
T/F
dermatophytide can cause other reactions than eczema at distant sites
True - but v rare Pit rosea EN EAC urticaria erythroderma
T/F
Patients with discoid eczema often have some more typical eczema elsewhere
True
T/F
Patients with discoid eczema always have a history of atopic dermatitis
False
often do but not always
T/F
Discoid eczema is rarely itchy
False
very itchy
T/F
Discoid eczema can look annular
True
T/F
Discoid eczema can resemble HSV
True
can be group of vsicles on erythematous base
T/F
Discoid eczema of the hands affects the palms resembling pompholyx
False
discoid hand eczema affects dorsa and fingers
T/F
Discoid eczema is symmetrical
True
Often unilateral initially and then develop mirror image lesions on other side after some time
T/F
Discoid eczema may be triggered by staph aureus colonization of eczema
True
T/F
Discoid eczema can koebnerize
True
What are some triggers for discoid eczema?
staph aureus colonization of eczema depilating creams aloe vera mercury systemic drugs - methyldopa, gold think of 'Gold coins'
T/F
Discoid eczema affects children or older adults
True
kids often have AD
T/F
Discoid eczema is prone to superinfection and is often resistant to treatment
True
Discoid eczema treatment ladder?
General measures
Rule out drug trigger
BetC or BOZ+C good
Betnovate in coal tar also useful for chronic treatment
Infective flares may need antibiotics – erythro recommended in Rook
Patch test in resistant cases
For resistant cases – oral pred, other immunosuppressents UVB, PUVA
What is Sulzberger-Garbe disease?
= Exudative discoid and lichenoid chronic dermatosis or Oid-Oid disease
Variant of discoid eczema
Widespread eruption
Mainly affects adult jewish men age 40-60
Unknown aetiology
Discoid lesions with both exudative and lichenified (not lichenoid) phases which occur alternately or together
Can be accompanying scattered round urticated lesions
Very itchy
Penile and scrotal lesions are common and pathognomonic; also most persistent
Can blood eosinophilia or gynaecomastia
Treatment resistant
Can use oral pred or AZA
Runs chronic course for months or years then resolves
T/F
Sulzberger-Garbe disease is discoid and lichenoid
False
discoid and lichenified not lichenoid
T/F
Penile and scrotal lesions are common and pathognomonic of Sulzberger-Garbe disease
True
T/F
Blasckitis is a rare, spontaneously reslving eczematous eruption in a blasckoid distribution in adults
True
T/F
Hand dermatitis is twice as common in men
False
twice as common in women
T/F
Hand dermatitis affects 2-5% population at any one time
True
T/F
AI Progesterone dermatitis can present as Hand dermatitis
True
Including pompholyx
T/F
10% of adults with eczema have some component of hand dermatitis
False
60%
T/F
Atopic hand eczema has the worst prognosis of all hand eczema types
True
What are the aetiological types of hand dermatitis?
Usually multifactorial
Endogenous causes;
o Idiopathic
o Dyshidrotic – exacerbated by excess sweating
o Progesterone dermatitis
o Atopic
Exogenous causes
o Irritant contact
Chemical – soaps, detergents, solvents
Physical - friction, minor trauma, cold air, dry
environment
o Allergic contact
Delayed hypersensitivity (type 4) – e.g. chromium,
rubber, epoxy glues
Immediate hypersensitivity (type 1) - latex, seafood
o Ingested allergens - systemic contact dermatitis
o Infection - exacerbates
o Secondary dissemination – autoeczematisation or Id reaction
T/F
Most cases of hand dermatitis have arecognisable morphological type
False
Most hand dermatitis is patchy and vesiculosquamous
1/3 has a recognisable morphological variant
What are the morphological types of hand dermatitis?
Apron eczema Chronic acral dermatitis Discoid eczema Fingertip eczema ‘gut’ eczema Hyperkeratotic palmar eczema Pompholyx Ring eczema Keratolysis exfoliativa (Recurrent focal palmar peeling) Wear & tear dermatitis Contact urticaria Others
T/F
Apron eczema type of hand dermatitis is usually due to ACD
False
Can be irritant, allergic or endogenous
T/F
Chronic acral dermatitis involves High IgE but no Hx of atopy
True
T/F
Chronic acral dermatitis responds well to TCS
False
poor response to TCS
responds to pred
T/F
Chronic acral dermatitis Is a hyperkeratotic papulovesicular eczema of hands and feet
True
T/F
Fingertip eczema involving most fingers on dominant hand is usually due to allergic contact dermatitis
False
this pattern is usually cumulative irritant dermatitis - soaps and trauma
T/F
Fingertip eczema involving first 3 digits on either hand is usually occupational
True
Can be irritant or allergic
Often dominant hand but may be non-dominant if due to foods e.g. onion, garlic
Patch test often positive
T/F
Gut eczema starts in web spaces and spreads down sides of fingers
True
Due to contact with entrails in slaughterhouses esp pigs
T/F
Hyperkeratotic palmar eczema mainly affetcts young men
False
middle aged or older men are main sufferers
T/F
Hyperkeratotic palmar eczema can look alot like psoriasis
True
T/F
Hyperkeratotic palmar eczema is often resistant to treatment
True TCS Crude coal tar Salicylic acid PUVA Grenz rays
T/F
Keratolysis exfoliativa can be precursor of pompholyx
True
T/F
In ring eczema the pt usually patch tests positive to metals in the ring
False
Usually negative
?due to build up of soap etc under ring and microtrauma
T/F
Asteatotic hand eczema is usually due to a genetic defect
False
= wear and tear eczema
Combination irritant dermatitis, asteatosis and microtrauma
Often seen in cleaners and housewives
Can be co-exisiting fingertip or ring eczemas
Skin is dry and red with superficial white cracks criss-crossing surface
T/F
Asteatotic hand eczema is the dame as dyshidrotic hand eczema
False
Asteatotic is very dry, wear and tear eczema
Dyshidrotic eczema is pompholyx
T/F
dyshidrotic hand eczema is due ti abnormality of the eccribe sweat glands
False
although ‘dyshydrotic’ means abnormal sweat there is no proven connection with sweat gland activity
T/F
Pompholyx accounts for 5-20% of hand eczema cases
True
T/F
Pompholyx is an endogenous eczema and is idiopathic
False
Its a clinical pattern of eczema but aetiology can vary
May be endogenous or exogenous
What are the causes of pompholyx?
Atopy 50%
ACD esp to PPD, benzoisothiazolinones, dichromates, perfume/fragrance, balsam of Peru
Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis
Autoecematization of a primary ACD of the feet
Id rcn - dermatophytide or bacteride
Drug eruption – aspirin, OCP, IVIg
Systemic contact-type dermatitis esp to neomycin ingestion in pts with leg ulcers previously treated with topical neomycin
T/F
Cigarette smoking increases risk of Pompholyx
True
T/F
Pompholyx is primarily a bullous disease
False
vesicular but can get bullae as skin is thick allowing vesicles to enlarge
T/F
Pompholyx classically is crops of vesicles on an erythematous base
False
erythema usually not a feature
T/F
In Pompholyx 50% of cases involve hand and feet
False 80% palms only 10% soles only 10% both nearly always symmetrical; if asymmetrical think of contact derm
T/F
Pompholyx classically desquamates then resolves in 2-3 weeks and recurs at varying intervals
True
Some people prefer the term chronic vesicular dermatitis if it continues and doesn’t resolve and recur periodically
T/F
Pompholyx is always confined to the palmar or plantar surfaces
False
can spread to dorsa of hands and fingers and can involve nails;
Dystrophy, transverse pitting and ridging, thickening or discolouration
What is the prognosis of pompholyx?
1/3 don’t recur
1/3 recur
1/3 chronic course
What is the approach to investigation of pompholyx?
Careful Hx for contact allergens, food, medicaments and regularity of flares
Examine feet/legs for tinea and elsewhere for bacterial and dermatophyte infections
Should patch test all cases
T/F
Chronic continuous cases of Pompholyx can become hyperkeratotic
True
coal tar + steroid good
What is the approach to treatment of pompholyx?
General hand dermatitis measures In acute phase; o Rest hands and/or feet from use o Soak 3-4x per day in Condys crystals o Aspirate large bullae o Zinc cream Then start potent TCS in subacute phase Consider need for oral pred Low dose MTX or XRT for refractory cases antibiotics if infected coal tar + TCS if hyperkeratotic
T/F
Dermatophyte, Psoriasis and autoimmune blistering disease should be considered in the differentials for Pompholyx
True
BP, linear IgA disease, Pemph gestationis, paraneoplastic pemphigus, anti-p200 pemphigoid
T/F
Smokers have worse occupational hand eczema than non-smokers
True
T/F
Smokers hand eczema readily responds to treatment
False
more likely to be resistant
T/F
Smokers miss more work time due to hand dermatitis and are more likely to become unemployed
True
T/F
Men are more likely to suffer occupational consequences of hand eczema than women
False
women more likely
Which factors predict poor prognosis in hand dermatitis
atopic dermatitis
widespread eczema
severe disease at presentation
frequnt flares
T/F
acrylates and epoxy resins can penetrate vinyl and rubber gloves
True
What is Rx ladder for hand dermatitis?
Full exam and work up - exclude DDs Usually patch test Rest hands stop smoking Avoid soap and irritants and friction Condys soaks Emollient++ Gloves for hand work potent TCS +/- occlusion Topical tacrolimus Resistant patches may need ILCS Tar on non responding chronic cases e.g. 5% crude coal tar Sal acid if hyperkeratotic PUVA – systemic or topical UVB Superficial Xrays – pt can safely have 3 course of 3Gy of superficial Xrays in their lifetime Alitretinoin - not in Aus Acitretin sometimes useful CsA Can use Zinc paste or Friars balsam to seal fissures Treat infected flares with antibiotics For resistant cases consider metal in diet causing systemic contact dermatitis – can use oral chelating agent
T/F
In hairdressers, localized interdigital dermatitis is a precursor for hand dermatitis
True
T/F
hand dermatitis can resolve quickly if an avoidable causative contact allergen is identified
True
T/F
Infective eczema clears when the triggering infection is treated
True
T/F
Raised CRP can help differentiate infected from colonized eczema
True
T/F
neuts, microvesicles and subcorneal pustules can be a feature of infective eczema
True
T/F
Infective eczema caused by staph or strep is associated with HTLV-1
True
this is a particualr type mainly seen in afro-caribean kids
T/F
Juvenile plantar dermatosis affects girls more than boys
False
boys more
esp age 3-13
T/F
Juvenile plantar dermatosis is more common in kids with atopy
False
but in atopic kids the hands may be affected
T/F
Juvenile plantar dermatosis affects the weigh beairng parts of the feet
True
T/F
Histo of Juvenile plantar dermatosis shows a severe spongiotic dermatitis
False
usually mild
may show blocked sweat ducts
What are the main DDs of Juvenile plantar dermatosis?
ACD
moccasin tinea pedis
What are the treatments for Juvenile plantar dermatosis?
Usually clears spontaneously
Wear cotton socks and leather shoes, avoid non-porous footwear
WSP, tar, urea, Lassar’s paste (sal acid in zinc paste)
T/F
Juvenile plantar dermatosis can persist into adulthood
True
but rare
What is dermatogenic enteropathy?
malabsorption due to severe eczematous inflammatory skin disease
What are the causes of photosensitive eczemas?
Hot (sun) CHIP Carcinoid syndrome Hartnup disease Isoniazid Pellagra
What is Meyerson’s naevus / Meyerson’s phenomenon
Halo of dermatitis around a naevus or other benign lesion
• Resolves spontaneously in few months
• Naevus remains
T/F
Pityriasis alba always presents with other features of atopic dermatitis
False
T/F
Pityriasis alba clears in 3-4 months
False
Often last many months, on face often over a year