EMERGENCY DERMATOLOGY Flashcards
What is urticaria?
Local or generalised superficial swelling of the skin
Usually caused by allergy but non-allergy causes can be seen
Features of urticaria?
Pale pink, raised skin
Pruritus
Management of urticaria?
Non-sedating antihistamines
Prednisolone can be used for severe or resistant episodes
Drug causes of urticaria?
aspirin
penicillins
NSAIDs
opiates
What is angioedema?
Rapid swelling underneath the skin in the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissues
Usually caused by an allergy or retraction to a medication
What causes urticaria?
Inflamationlocal increase in permeability of capillaries and small venues
Histamine derived from skin mast cells are the major mediator
Where does angioedema typically affect?
The lips and tongue
What is erythema nodosum?
Inflammation of subcutaneous fat which causes tender, erythematous, nodular lesions
Usually occurs over shins but can occur elsewhere
Causes of erythema nodosum?
Infections - strep, TB, brucellosis
Systemic disease - sarcoidosis, IBD, Behçet’s
Malignancy/lymphoma
Drugs - penicillins, sulphonamides, COCP
Pregnancy
What is erythema multiforme?
A hypersensitivity reaction most commonly triggered by infections
Features of erythema multiforme?
Target lesions initially on back of hands/feet and then torso
Pruritus can occur
Causes of erythema multiforme?
Viruses - HSV, off
Idiopathic
Bacteria - mycoplasma, strep
Drugs - penicillins, sulphonamides, COCP, NSAIDs, allopurinol, carbamazepine, nevirapine
Connective tissue disease e.g. SLE
Sarcoidosis
Malignancy
What is erythema multiforme major?
A more severe version with 1 or more mucous membranes involved
Prognosis of erythema nodosum?
lesions continue to appear for 1-2 weeks and leave bruise-like discolouration as they resolve
They dont ulcerate and resolve without atrophy or scarring
What is stevens-Johnson syndrome?
A rare but serious skin reaction
Also known as toxic epidermal necrolysis
Cause systemic illness, circular rash, blisters and sores on lips/mouth/throat/eyes/urethra