Exam 2 - Dermatology (need to know) Flashcards
What is keratosis pilaris?
Common finding on the extensor aspects of extremities (posterior upper arms, anterior thighs), buttocks, and cheeks
What does keratosis pilaris look like?
“Chicken skin”
- Small bumps at the hair follicle (stratum corneum)
- Occasional diffuse eruption with small sterile pustules
Keratosis pilaris risk factors
- Children with atopic disorders
- Living in cold, dry climates
- Common in winter months
Keratosis pilaris management
- Mild cases
Lubricants and emollients to moisturize skin
Keratosis pilaris management for patients with (+) folliculitis
Antibiotics active against s. aureus
If patients would like topical treatment for keratosis pilaris, what can be prescribed?
Topical keratolytics combined with lactic acid 12%, salicylic acid, urea creams, retinoids, and lubricants applied several times a day
Keratosis pilaris patient education
Chronic condition but benign
- Treatment takes weeks to months and recurrence common
What is tinea pedis?
Athlete’s foot
- Superficial fungal skin infection found on the feet
What are the three clinical forms of tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)?
- Vesicles and erosions on instep of one or both feet
- Occasional fissure between toes with surrounding scale and erythema
- Rare diffuse scaling on weight bearing surface of foot with exaggerated scaling increases often extending to lateral foot margins
What organisms cause tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)?
T. rubrum, t. mentagrophytes
Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) risk factors
Uncommon in preadolescence; more common in males
Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) mode of transmission
Direct contact with contaminated surfaces (warm moist environment of showers and locker room floors)
- Often occurs with tinea cruris (jock itch)
Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) HPI components
- Sweaty feet
- Use of nylon socks or non breathable shoes
- Exposure in family or at school
- Itching, intense burning, stinging, foul odor
- Microtrauma to feet
- Contact with damp areas
Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) physical exam
- Red, scaly, cracked rash on soles or interdigital spaces (especially between third, fourth, fifth toes)
- Infection initially presents as white peeling lesions becoming erythematous, vesicular, macerated, fissured, scaly
- Dorsum of foot remains clear
Are diagnostic tests required for tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)?
If treatment failure or questionable diagnosis occurs
If diagnostic testing is indicated for tinea pedis, what tests/labs should be performed?
- KOH treated scrapings of border of lesion reveal hyphae and spores
- Wood’s lamp will fluoresce
- Fungal culture
Tinea pedis management
Antifungal medication (miconazole, clotrimazole) applied 1 cm beyond border of rash twice daily until 7 days after clearing
- Usual treatment is 3-6 weeks
What anatomic regions should class I and IV topical corticosteroids never be used?
Face, genitals, breasts, axillae
Class I topical corticosteroid examples
Superpotent
- Clobetasol propionate
- Betamethasone dipropionate
Class II topical corticosteroid examples
Potent
- Mometasone furoate
Class III topical corticosteroid examples
Upper mid-strength
- Fluticasone propionate
- Halcinonide
Class IV topical corticosteroid examples
Mid-strength
- Triamcinolone
Class V topical corticosteroid examples
Lower mid-strength
- Hydrocortisone valerate 0.2%
Class VI topical corticosteroid examples
Mild
- Desonide
Class VII topical corticosteroid examples
Least potent
- Hydrocortisone 2.5%, 1%, 0.5%
Topical corticosteroid adverse effects
- Hypo-pigmentation
- Striae
- Tissue atrophy
- Telangiectasia
Usual duration of therapy with high potency topical corticosteroids
<2 weeks
What is the most common type of eczema?
Atopic dermatitis
What is atopic dermatitis?
Pruritic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by exacerbations and remissions of dry and itchy red skin