Eczema, Systemic Lupis, Psoriasis, Acne and Rosacea Flashcards
What are the main roles of the stratum corneum
Regulation of water loss and barrier integrity
Mediates hydrolytic enzymes
What does the stratum granulosum produce
Filaggrin
Which section of the epidermis does the cell division begin from
Stratum basale
What section does cell differentiation begin
Stratum spinosum
What is the natural moisturising factor
An endogenous breakdown product from filaggrin hydrolysis that contains hygroscopic mixture of: amino acids, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, lactic acid, urea
What is the role of the natural moisturising
- Maintains free water in stratum corneum alongside corneocyte maturation and desquamation
- Acts as a buffer
How do you create natural moisturising factors
Profilaggrin converts to filaggrin via dephosphorylation
Filaggrin converts to natural moisturising factor via hydrolysis
What does filaggrin loss result in
Corneocyte deformation- flattening of surface cells
Reduction in NMF
Increase in skin pH which encourages serine protease activity- enzymes that digest desmosomes
DRIER SKIN
What is the genetic predisposition factor that causes eczema
- Genetic defect of filaggrin produces less NMF
- Enzymes gone wrong due to pH change
- Eczema patients have at least one mutated filaggrin gene
Describe what is atopic eczema, symptoms and causes
- Most common form of eczema especially in babies of 3 months
- Dry, scaly, itchy rash on face, scalp, neck and cheek
- atopic march: sequence of IgE response to stimulus
If you have atopic eczema, what can that develop into
50% of patients will develop atopic dermatitis, go on to develop asthma or allergic rhinitis
Describe what irritant/contact/allergic dermatitis is (causes) and symptoms
- Caused by use of harsh chemicals that dry out the skin
- Allergic reaction towards them (nickel, leather, dye)
- Symptoms: blisters filling with fluid
How do you treat eczema (dermatitis)
- Emollients, emulsifying ointment to maintain hydration of stratum corneum to reduce water evaporation
- Topical steroids
- Sedating oral antihistamines (chlorpheniramine)
- Avoid soaps, wool fabrics, synthetic material
Why shouldn’t aqueous cream be used in eczema
- Contains Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) which is a harsh anionic surfactant
- This can dry out skin and damage pH to affect NMF, increases transepidermal water loss
- Advise aqueous cream as a soap substitute
Describe what is seborrhoea eczema, causes and
- Common harmless rash that affects skin in scalp region and other areas
- Also known as dandruff
- Can be aggravated by: Illness, stress, fatigue, season change