Integumentary

Question 1

Contact Dermatitis (aka allergic dermatitis)

Answer 1

Common inflammation of the skin
2 types:
- allergic (cell-mediated Type IV 4 Hypersensitivity)
- irritant

Question 2

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Answer 2

• Inflammatory response of the skin to allergens (additives: perfume, dyes, jewellery, latex…)
• Lesions range from mild erythema with edema to vesicles or large bullae
• Lesions classified based on their location
• Location and pattern may assist to id the cause

Question 3

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Answer 3

• Caused by chemicals (soaps, detergents, organic solvents) that irritate the skin
• No allergens identified

Question 4

Contact Dermatitis: Tx

Answer 4

Aimed at removing the source of the irritant or allergen

Minor cases: Tx by washing the affected areas to remove further contamination

• Antipruritic cream or lotion
• Bandaging exposing areas
• Topical corticosteroids (reduce inflamm. )

Moderate to extreme: wet dressings, oral antihistamines and systemic corticosteroids

Question 5

Atopic Dermatitis = Atopic Eczema

Answer 5

Itchy inflammatory skin disorder
Severe dryness of skin caused by dysfunction of skin carrier
Poorly defined erythema with edema, vesicles & weeping (acute stage)
Skin thickening
IgE mediated Hypersentivity type 1
Cause is hard to document/ uncertain prevalence

Question 6

Eczema: Tx

Answer 6

• Target underlying complications: dryness, pruritus, infection, inflammation
• Optimal skin care (emollients and skin hydration)
• Topical corticosteroids
• Topical immune modulators (when all other tx have failed)

Question 7

Nummular eczema (shape defining lesion)

Answer 7

Coin shaped lesions (mainly arms and legs)
Mostly chronic
Exacerbations more frequent in the colder months
Unknown Et
Tx: similar to other dermatitis