Inflammatory dermatoses Flashcards
Why should we learn about the skin
20% consultations in GP
Under represented in curriculum
Overlaps with many specialties
Largest organ (16% body mass, 1.8m2 surface area)
Clinical skills paramount in diagnosis
Over 2000 diseases affect the skin
What structures are found in the dermis
Dermis- collagen, GAGs, elastin, blood vessels, nerves and appendageal structures (hair folicles sebaceous glands and sweat glands)
Describe the basic micro anatomy of the skin
Epidermis
Dermis
Subcuteneous tissue
What are the black cells in the histology of the dermis
Black cells- fibroblasts- makle collagen, elastin and GAGs
Describe the histology of the skin
Stratum cornea Epidermis Papillary dermis reticular dermis hypodermis
Describe the different glands found in the skin
Sebaceous glands- luybricate hair folliceles
Apcorine- axilla and groin- viscous sweat- degraded by bacteria
Eccrine- watery, most over places
What are the four different cell types found in the epidermis
Keratinocytes
Langerhan cells- APC
Merkel cells- nerve sensation
melanocytes
Describe the structure of the epidermis
Statum basale- melanocytes, dividing keratinocytes (stem cell), Merkel cells (tactile cells)
Stratum spinosum -spines between keratinocytes, dendritic cells
Startum granulosum- keratin granules in keratinocytes
Stratum lucidum -
Stratum corneum - dead keratinocytes- those on the surface flake off
Describe the keratinocyte differentiation pathway
Keratinocyte differentiation pathway – basal cell prickle cell granular cell keratin.
How will mealonocytes look in histology
Melanocytes are vacuolated
Describe the importance of the structure of the stratum corner
Very important for barrier function of the skin
Defects lead to eczema
Filagrin gene mutation common in eczema patients
Keratinocytes and lipid/protein glue – barrier function
Filagrin mutation- eczeman and other allergic diseases
Describe the stratum corner
Stratum corneum:
o Very important barrier function of the skin.
o Defects lead to eczema.
o Composed of corneocytes (differentiated keratinocytes) with lipids in between each of them.
Describe atopic eczema
Atopy – tendency to develop hypersensitivity
Atopic diseases - eczema, asthma, hayfever
Atopic eczema – common, relapsing and remitting
Describe the atopic march
Food allergies and eczema may present early- food allergies- may have eczema on face- put food on face- sensitisation to food
Allergic rhinitis and eczema develop a little later on in childhood
Describe the pathophysiology of atopic eczema
Intrinsic factors – leading to defects in the epidermal skin barrier- filaggrin gene mutations
Extrinsic factors – penetration of exogenous agents:
allergens e.g house-dust mites
irritants e.g detergents in soaps
pathogens e.g staphylococcus
mast cell degranulation - releasing histamine
acute AD – activation of CD4 lymphocytes and Th2 immune response
Chronic AD- activation of CD4 and CD8, and the Th1 immune response
What is a clinical sign of the filaggrin gene mutation
Palmar hyper linearity
Where may atopic dermatitis present
Arreas where they riub themselves and on flexures
Face, elbows and knees
Describe the chronic changes in eczema
Eczema with lichenification
Looks like it’s thickened- with accentuated skin markings- area of involvement poorly defines
Red all over- erytheoderma
What infections are patients with eczema susceptible to
Suceptible to infections as a result of defective barrier function in skin
Staph aureus- superantigen- makes eczema worse
HSV
TREAT WITH AMOILIANTS, STEROIDS AND ACYCLOVIR
State some other types of eczema
Seborrhoeic
Allergic contact dermatitis
Discoid