GP Flashcards
What does Tinea look like?
Annular or arcuate scaly and itchy rash with a definite edge and central clearing as it expands. Tinea pedis occurs on the feet and tinea cruris on the groin
What is the treatment of Tinea?
Imidazole topical preparation• Terbinafine (Lamisil)• Bifonazole (Sporanox) • Miconazole (Monistat)• Clotrimazole (Canesten)Lamisil PO required if nails involved (as shown by yellow discolouration). 2° nail infection with candida can occur.
What is the pathogenesis of acne?
- Increased sebum production
- Outflow obstruction
Stasis of sebum leads to infection & subsequent immune reaction:
- ‘White-head’ (inflammatory) if comedo is closed
- ‘Black-head’ (non-inflammatory) if comedo is open
- Cystic acne occurs if the comedo becomes encircled
What are the topial agents used to treat acne?
- Benzyl peroxide (OTC)
- Used at night for 15mins, then 30mins, etc. until overnight
- Bleaching agent (beware of clothing)
- Tertinoin / Retinoic acid
- Vitamin A derivative (not Abx)
- Excellent for blackheads (non-inflammatory acne)
- Cream applied to whole face, even when no acne
- More effective than benzyl but hphotosensitivity & irritation
- Erythromycin (Eryacne) and Clindamycin (ClindaTech)
- Topical Abx
- Good for whiteheads (inflammatory)
- Used as cream on whole face
What are the systemic Rx for acne?
- ABx
- Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Minocycline, Erythromycin, Trimethoprim
- Minocycline used when no response to above two agents or poor SE profile
- OCP
- Combined oral contraceptives that are likely to improve acne include those containing cyproterone, desogestrel, drospirenone or gestodene as the progestin.
- Cyproterone acetate in OCP formulations (2mg)
- Extra cytoproteroe acetate can be added
1. Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) - Vitamin A derivative
- Extremely high efficacy typically within 4-6months
- Last line therapy; also used for cystic cases
- SE’s: hLipids, photosensitivity, drying of mucous membranes, depression
How is pityriasis rosea commonly described?
In young adults. Starts with one “herald patch” (a red, macular patch / plaque) and then spreads 1-20 days later in the T-shirt and shorts region.
What is the prognosis of pityriasis rosea?
Pityriasis rosea clears up in about six to twelve weeks.
What is the typical patient and where is the typical distribution of a rash from a fungal infection?
In diabetics. In creases (warm, moist areas) eg. under breasts, in groin.
What is the general advice you should give to patients with acne?
- Do not squeeze acne lesions—squeezing can increase depth and severity of inflammation, visibly worsening acne and increasing risk of permanent scars.
- Use a mild skin-cleansing regimen—blackheads are not due to dirt, so excessive washing is not helpful and may be counterproductive. Use a low-irritant, pH-balanced, soap-free cleanser twice a day.
- Eat a healthy diet—although diet has not been directly implicated in causing acne, it is reasonable to avoid specific foods that you have linked with flares. Some recent work suggests that dairy products and a high glycaemic index diet may worsen acne in some individuals.
- Avoid overexposure to the sun—ultraviolet light, either natural sunlight or in solariums, should not be used to treat acne.
What are the three steps of the principles of treatment of acne?
- Unblock pores with keratolytics such as salicylic acid or retinoids. Retinoids can be topical (adapalene, isotretinoin, tazarotene, tretinoin) or systemic (isotretinoin)
- Decrease bacteria in the sebum with systemic antibiotics. These can be topical (benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, erythromycin) or systemic (tetracyclines, erythromycin)
- Decrease sebaceous gland activity with oestrogens, spironolactone, cyproterone acetate or isotretinoin
What are the general management advice for patients with Rosacea?
- Apply cool packs if severe
- Minimise factors that cause flushing or irritation (see aetiology)
- Sun protection plus sun avoidance measures are essential
- Use an emollient soap-free cleanser, combined with a low-irritant sunscreen to reduce irritation
- Some people may use a green-tinted foundation to mask erythrotelangiectatic features
What topical therapies are used for rosacea?
Topical therapy – for mild erythema and inflammatory lesions
- 2% sulphur in aqueous cream tds OR
- Metronidazole gel bd OR
- Azelic acid gel OR
- Clindamycin 1% solution bd OR
- Erythomycin 2% gel bd
Topical treatments need to be used for 6 to 12 weeks for maximal response.
What systemic therapies are used for Rosacea?
Systemic antibiotics – for more severe cases or when topical therapy unsuccessful
- Doxycycline 50 to 100mg daily
- Erythromycin 250 to 500 mg twice daily
- Minocycline 50 to 100mg daily
An 8-week course is often used and repeated as required.
What is the treatment of psoriasis?
General advice
- encourage brief, safe sun exposure
- moisturise
Topical Therapy (CC,DD)
- Corticosteroids (short term)
- Calcipotriol (a vitamin D derivative)
- Dithranol
Systemic Therapy (A,B,C)
- Acitretin (Vitamin A derivative)
- Biological agents
- Chemotherapy agents (MTX and cyclosporins)
Phsyical Therapy
- Phototherapy
- Intra-lesional corticosteroid injections
Prevention
- Screen for psoriatic arthritis
- Increased risk of heart disease
What is the management of conjunctivitis?
There are no specific clinical signs to differentiate bacterial and viral conjunctivitis.
- Limit the spread by avoiding close contact with others
- Use of separate towels and good ocular hygiene
Many cases resolve spontaneously within 5 days; however, symptoms can last up to 14 days if untreated. A ‘delayed prescription’ approach is appropriate.
- Mild cases
- Saline irrigation of the eyelids and conjunctiva
- Antiseptic drop such as propamidine isethionate 0.1%
- 1-2 drops 6-8 hourly for 5-7 days
- More severe cases
- Chloramphenicol 0.5% eye drops
- 1-2 hourly for 2 days
- Decrease to 4 times daily for another 7 days
- Chloramphenicol 1% eye ointment at night
Patient presents with a painful eye, what is your DDx?
Don’t miss/refer today:
- Herpes zoster
- Iritis
- Optic neuritis
- Corneal ulcer
- Closed angle glaucoma
Common:
- Foreign body/corneal abrasion
- Entropion/ectropion/Trichiasis
- Blepharitis
- Dry eye
- Stye
- Scleritis
What is the management of otitis externa?
- The external ear canal must be kept as dry as possible.
- Remove discharge or other debris from the ear canal by dry aural toilet, not by syringing with water.
- Dry aural toilet involves dry mopping the ear with rolled tissue spears or similar, 6-hourly until the external canal is dry.
After cleaning and drying, insert 10-20cm of 4mm Nufold gauze impregnated with a steroid and antibiotic cream
- For bacterial infection:
- Dexamethasone 0.05% + framycetin 0.5% + gramicidin 0.005% ear drops
- 3 drops in affected ear tds, for 3-7 days
- For fungal infection
- Triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% + neomycin sulfate 0.25% + gramicidin 0.025% + nystatin
- 3 drops 3tds for 3-7 days
Systemic antibiotic therapy provides no additional benefit to topical therapy, unless there is fever, spread of inflammation to the pinna, or folliculitis.
Keep the ear dry during, and for 2 weeks after, treatment.
Other measures
- Analgesia
- Prevent scratching and entry of water
What is the management of chlamydia?
Public health
- Chlamydia infection (Group C disease) must be notified in writing within five days of diagnosis.
- Advice to cease sexual activity until treated
- Contact tracing
- Sexual partners of individuals with chlamydia should be examined and investigated then treated empirically.
Definitive management
- Azythromycin 1g as a single dose OR
- Doxycycline 100mg BD for 7 days
Long term
- patients should be re-tested 3-4 months after the initiation of antibiotics
- Abstinence from sexual contact is recommended for at least 7 days during and after completion of antibiotic treatment
What is the managament of gonorrheoa
Public health
- Gonococcal infection (Group C disease) must be notified in writing within five days of diagnosis.
- Advice to cease sexual activity until treated
- Contact tracing
- Sexual partners of individuals with gonorrhoea should be examined and investigated then treated empirically.
Definitive management
- Ceftriaxone: 250mg IM as a single dose
- It is recommended that all patients with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of gonorrhoea be treated for Chlamydia if it has not been excluded. As a practical matter, Chlamydia is treated routinely in patients with gonorrhoea.
Long term
- Repeat diagnostic method if want to see if infection has cleared.
What is the treatment of syphillus?
Public health
- Syphilis infection (Group C disease) must be notified in writing within five days of diagnosis.
- Advice to cease sexual activity until treated
- Contact tracing
Early syphilis (less than 2 years’ duration)
- benzathine penicillin 1.8 g IM, as a single dose
Late latent syphilis (asymptomatic syphilis of longer than 2 years’ duration, or of unknown duration.)
- benzathine penicillin 1.8 g IM, once weekly for 3 weeks
Tertiary syphilis (syphilis of longer than 2 years’ duration, or of unknown duration, with cardiovascular, central nervous system or skin and bone involvement.)
- Expert advice and referral
For how long should one use anti-fungals?
For 2 weeks after the fungal infection has been cleared
What is the difference between a papule, a nodule and a pustule?
Papule - A palpably raised lesion which is less than 1cm in diameter
Nodule - A palpably raised lesions which is more than 1cm in diameter.
Pustule - Pustules result from accumulation of large numbers of leukocytes in the epidermis or upper dermis
Describe the pathogenesis of acne?
Disease primarily affects the pilosebaceous units of the head and neck.
- Primary lesion is increased formation of keratin within the hair follicle itself.
- Excess keratin blocks the pore and forms a micro-comedome
- Bacterial lipases from propionibacterium acnes (G+) convert lipids into fatty acids, which in combination with the excess keratin drive an inflammatory reaction
- Inflammatory reaction leads to further plugging of the pore - and further inflammatory changes
- The enlarging pore is called a closed comedone or whitehead
- This structure can rupture, releasing pro-inflammatory exudate and causing inflammation of surrounding tissue, leading to papules, nodules and pustules.
What is the management of acne?
What is the management of eczema?
What is this?
What’s the treatment?
Infected eczema
Staphylococcus aureus = “impetiginisation”
Soak off crusts
Topical mupirocin or oral fluclox
What is this?
What is the treatment?
Herpes simplex virus = “eczema herpeticum”
Admit to hospital
What is this?
What is the teatment?
Pompholyx eczema
Pompholyx is a common type of eczema affecting the hands (cheiropompholyx), and sometimes the feet (pedopompholyx).
Same treatment as normal eczema
What is this?
Discoid eczema
What is this?
What is the treatment?
Asteatotic eczema
Common on legs of older people
Same treatment as normal eczema
What is this?
What is the treatment?
Lichen simplex is a localised area of chronic, lichenified eczema/dermatitis.
It is usually somewhat linear or oval in shape, and markedly thickened. It is intensely itchy.
Lichen simplex is often solitary and unilateral, usually affecting the patient’s dominant side.
Potent steroids
What causes erythema multiforme?
Infections are probably associated with at least 90% of cases of EM. In order of frequency:
HSV 1
Mycoplasma pneumonia
Other viruses
Medications are an uncommon cause.
Describe the lesions of erythema multiforme
Maculopapular skin lesions forming plaques
Few to hundreds of skin lesions erupt within a 24-hour period.
The lesions are first seen on the backs of hands and/or tops of feet, then spread along the limbs towards the trunk.
Mildly itchy or burny
Lesions typically have 3 zones (red rim, clearance zone, and central blister or erosion)
What is the treatment and prognosis of erythema multiforme?
For the majority of cases, no treatment is required as the rash settles by itself over several weeks without complications.
Treatment directed to any possible cause may be required such as oral aciclovir (not topical) for HSV or antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin) for Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Supportive care:
- oral antihistamines or topical steroids for itch
- mouthwashes containing local anaesthetic and antiseptic reduce pain and secondary infection in patients with involvement of the oral mucosa
Prognosis
Erythema multiforme usually resolves spontaneously without scarring over 2-3 weeks for the EM minor form, and up to 6 weeks for EM major. However it often recurs.
What is the management of impetigo?
In non-remote community settings:
Suspect S. aureus as the pathogen.
For localised skin sores, use:
mupirocin
For multiple skin sores or recurrent infection, use:
di/flucloxacillin 500 mg
In remote community settings in central and northern Australia
Suspect S. pyogenes as the pathogen.
benzathine penicillin
What is the treatment of lichen planus?
Treatment is not always required, but if so consider referral for potent and ultrapotent topical steroids.
What is this?
Lichen Planus
What is this?
What causes it?
What is the treatment?
Pityriasis rosea
We think there may be a viral cause but no-one knows
It will clear up in 6-12 weeks. Dark discolouration of skin may take longer to resolve. It doesn’t normally reccur but it can.
If itchy you can use topical corticosteroid ointment or calamine lotion
What is this?
Psoriasis - Guttate subtype
What can aggravate psoriasis?
Streptococcal tonsillitis and other infections
Injuries such as cuts, abrasions and sunburn
Obesity
Smoking
Excessive alcohol
Stressful event
Medications such as lithium, beta blockers, antimalarias, NSAIDs
Stopping corticosteroids
What does psoriasis look like?
Red, scaly plaques with well-defined edges and symmetrical distribution – usually not itchy.
What is this?
Pustular psoriasis
Usually on hands/feet
Often without usual plaque psoriasis
May be painful or “burning”
What are the possible complications of psoriasis you should keep in mind?
No good data on the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis, circa 10%
Patients with psoriasis have 2-3x cardiovascular risk of patients without psoriasis!
What is the management of psoriasis?
What is this?
Rosacea is a common persistent eruption of unknown aetiology. It is characterised by central facial erythema, visible blood vessels and acneiform papules and pustules. It is typically chronic and persistent with a fluctuant course.
What is the management of rosacea?
General management
- Apply cool packs if severe
- Minimise factors that cause flushing or irritation (see aetiology)
- Sun protection plus sun avoidance measures are essential
- Use an emollient soap-free cleanser, combined with a low-irritant sunscreen to reduce irritation
- Some people may use a green-tinted foundation to mask erythrotelangiectatic features
Topical therapy – for mild erythema and inflammatory lesions
- 2% sulphur in aqueous cream tds OR
- Metronidazole gel bd OR
- Azelic acid gel OR
- Clindamycin 1% solution bd OR
- Erythomycin 2% gel bd
Long-term maintenance with topical metronidazole is often used to control rosacea and prolong remissions.
Systemic antibiotics – for more severe cases or when topical therapy unsuccessful
- Doxycycline 50 to 100mg daily
- Erythromycin 250 to 500 mg twice daily
- Minocycline 50 to 100mg daily
What is the typical presentation of scabies?
Where does it typically occur (on the body)?
The prominent clinical feature of scabies is itching. It is often severe and usually worse at night. The pruritus is the result of a delayed type-IV hypersensitivity reaction to the mite, mite feces, and mite eggs.
What is the management of scabies?
Permethrin 5% cream (adult and child 6 months or older)
Apply topically to dry skin from the neck down, paying particular attention to hands and genitalia. Apply under the nails using a nailbrush. Leave on for a minimum of 8 hours (usually overnight) and reapply to hands if washed. Application time may be increased to 24 hours if there is a history of treatment failure. Repeat treatment in 7 days
What is the prognosis of Bell’s palsy?
Resolution in 85% of patients within 4-6 weeks.
Generally good and patients may spontaneously recover even without medication.
Related to severity of lesion and more favourable if some recovery or progress seen within 3 weeks of onset.
What are the 3 main things you want to rule out in Bell’s palsy?
Space occupying lesion –> facial twitch or spasm
CVA –> other signs of stroke, not limited to CN VII
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome –> look for vesicles on ear
Otitis Media –> otoscopy
What is the Mx of Bell’s Palsy?
Basics
Eye care for patients who have impaired eye closure
Use of short term (10 days) oral corticosteroids (60 mg/ day) within 72 hours after the onset of symptoms.
Antiviral agents if viral etiology is suspected but only in conjunction with corticosteroids.- contentious
Place and person
GP managed
Referral to neurologist in cases of new or worsening symptoms or incomplete recovery after 3 months.
Investigate and confirm diagnosis
Assess and exclude other possible identifiable causes
Non-invasive management
Psychological counselling and physiotherapy
Definitive management
Specialists may do surgical nerve decompression if fails to recover.
Electrical nerve stimulation to promote motor recovery.
Both have limited evidence
Long term
Follow up 1-2 weeks after onset to monitor effect of medications and eye care.
What are common causes of gradual vision loss?
Cataracts
Age related macular degeneration
Chronic open angle glaucoma
Diabetic retinopathy
What are common causes of sudden onset vision loss?
Branch or central retinal vein occlusion
Branch or central retinal artery occlusion
CVA/TIA
Giant Cell Arteritis
Retinal detachment
Optic neuritis
Migraine
What is the Mx of chalazion/Meibomian cyst?
Benign and self limiting
Apply heat and massage twice a day
Avoid antibiotic ointments
Incision and curettage is second line treatment
Prevention by managing any associated blepharitis
What is the Mx of blepharitis?
No easy cure
Lid hygiene –> warm compresses for 5-10mins bd
If severe try oral tetracycline for 2-3 months
What is the clinical presentation of infective conjunctivitis?
Key features
Gritty red eye
Purulent discharge
Clear cornea
History
Purulent discharge which causes the eyelashes to stick together in the morning
Starts on one eye and spreads to the other (usually)
Hx of contact with a person that has similar symptoms
Examination
Bilateral mucupurulent dischange with uniform engorgement of all of the conjunctivial blood vessels
Non-specific papillary response (larger fleshy swellings on the inside of the eyelid)
Fluorescein staining is negative
What is the Mx of infective conjunctivitis?
Limit the spread by avoiding close contact with others
Use of separate towels and good ocular hygiene
Many cases resolve spontaneously within 5 days; however, symptoms can last up to 14 days if untreated. A ‘delayed prescription’ approach is appropriate.
Mild cases
Saline irrigation of the eyelids and conjunctiva
Antiseptic drop such as propamidine isethionate 0.1%
More severe cases
Chloramphenicol 0.5% eye drops
1-2 hourly for 2 days
Decrease to 4 times daily for another 7 days
Chloramphenicol 1% eye ointment at night
Specific organisms
Pseudomonas use topical gentamicin and tobramycinN. gonorrhea use appropriate systemic antibiotics
When a patient complains of “dizziness” what do you think of that they could actually be experiencing?
What signs/symptoms differentiate central from peripheral vertigo?
What is the Mx of Meniere’s disease
Low salt diet + diuretic
Vestibular rehab
Prochlorperazine maleate (stemetil): 5-10 mg orally every 6-8 hours when required
Do not use stemetil long term –> will stop the brain accommodating to a labyrinthine upset
What is the clinical picture of vestibular neuronitis?
Severe vertigo that lasts for days
Acute inflammation of the vestibular nerve
Cause unknown
Young or middle aged adults
Incapacitating sustained (non-positional) vertigo
Sudden onset
Very unwell and lie still in bed
Nausea and vomiting
No tinnitus or deafness
What is the Mx of vestibular neuronitis?
Reassurance and explanation
Stemetil should be given only in the first few days
After 2-5 days steady resolution usually occurs over a period of 6 to 12 weeks