Integumentary Pathology

Question 1

Dermatitis

Answer 1

• Causes: allergic, atopic, actinic
• Stages
  
  • acute: red, oozing, crusting rash; extensive erosions, exudate, pruritic vesicles
  • subacute: erythematous skin, scaling, scattered plaques.
  • chronic: thickened skin, increased skin marking from scratching, fibrotic papules and nodules; post inflammatory pigment changes
• Precautions:
  
  • some modalities
  • avoid use of alcohol
• medical management
  
  • aimed at inflammation
  • corticosteriods, immunosuppressants, antihistimines
  • daily care - hydration and lubrication of skin

Question 2

Bacterial Infection

Impetigo

Answer 2

• superficial skin infection cause by staphylococcus or streptococcus
• associated w. inflammation, small puss filled vesicles, itching
• contagious
• common in children and elderly

Question 3

Bacterial Infection

Cellulitis

Answer 3

• suppurative inflammation of cellular or connective tissue in or close to the skin.
• tends to be poorly defined and widespread
• can be contagious
• strepto/staphylococcus
• skin is red, hot, edematous
• management
  
  • antibiotics, elevation of part and cool wet dressings
• if untreated
  
  • lymphagitis, gangrene, abscess and sepsis
• at risk:
  
  • elderly and diabetes
  • wounds
  • malnutrition
  • steriod therapy

Question 4

Bacterial Infection

Abscess

Answer 4

• a cavity containing pus and surrounded by inflamed tissue.
• the result of localized infection
• commonly a staphylococcal infection
• healing typically via draining or incising the abscess

Question 5

Herpes 1

(herpes simplex)

Answer 5

itching and soreness followed by:

vesicular eruption of the skin on the face or mouth

cold sore or fever blister

Question 6

Herpes 2

Answer 6

common cause of vesicular genital eruption

spread by sexual contact

in newborns, may cause meningocephalitis (may be fatal)

Question 7

Herpes Zoster

(shingles)

Answer 7

• varicella-zoster virus (chicken pox)
  
  • reactivation of dormant virus in cerebral ganglia or posterior nerve root ganglia
• Signs
  
  • pain and tingling affecting spinal or cranial nerve dermatome
  • progresses to red papules along distribution
  • papules progress to vesicles
  • usually: fever, chills, malaise, GI disturb
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