Integumentary System Flashcards
Seborrheic dermatitis
inflammatory condition of the sebaceous (oil) glands
inflammation occurs in scalp, eyebrows, sides of nose, eyelids, area behind ears, middle of the chest
most common during infancy
treatment = low-strength cortisone or hydrocortisone cream
Contact dermatitis
acute inflammation triggered by exogenous chemical/substance
caused either by irritants on skin or allergic response
treatment = cleaning the skin, corticosteroid cream
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
chronic inflammation
rash with vesicular and exudative eruptions for children, dry and leathery vesicles for adults
generally inherited, stress/extreme changes in climate can make it worse
treatment = no medication can eliminate it, use skin moisturizers, anti inflammatory agents, sunlight therapy
Urticaria
hives, associated with severe itching, redness, swelling
often scattered over the body, often acute
can be caused by allergic reactions
treatment = remove antigenic factor, antihistamines, creams and ointments
Psoriasis
chronic skin condition, thick, flaky patches, silvery scales
scales develop into plaques then sometimes to pustules
slightly itchy/sore
more common in the white race, autoimmune disorder
treatment = keep involved skin moist and lubricated, medication, vitamin D
Rosacea
chronic inflammatory disorder of the facial skin, causes redness
often mistaken for complexion change/sunburn/acne
redness becomes more noticeable, dryness, pimple
ocular rosacea = blood vessels in sclera become inflamed
treatment = no cure, cream, Finacea, avoid blushing triggers
Acne vulgaris
inflammatory disease of sebaceous glands and hair follicles
appearance of papules, pustules and comedones, boil-like lesions
caused by hormonal changes, and hereditary tendencies
treatment = topical or systemic antibiotics, vitamin A, isotretinoin
Herpes zoster
shingles, acute inflammatory eruption of vesicles
occur in a bandlike unilateral pattern along peripheral nerves (dermatomes)
caused by VZV virus
treatment = analgesics, mild sedatives, antibiotics
Impetigo
superficial skin infection, forms thick yellow crusts
usually develop on the legs, small vesicles surrounded by circle of reddened skin
caused by bacteria, can originate from insect bites, poor hygiene
treatment = antibiotics, cleaning, avoiding affected individuals
Furuncles and carbuncles
pus-containing abscess, involves hair follicle and subcutaneous tissue
abscess either bursts through the skin, or discharges internally
generally a bacterial infection
treatment = hot compresses, surgical incision and drainage, antibiotics
Cellulitis
bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, when bacteria enter through a lesion in the skin
pitting edema, skin becomes tender, and hot to the touch
red lines may appear along lymph vessels
treatment = immobilize limb, epsom salt, antibiotics
Dermatophytoses
chronic, superficial fungal infection tinea capitis = scalp tinea corporis = ringworm tinea unguium = toe nails tinea pedis = athlete’s foot tinea cruris = jock itch treatment = antifungal medications, shampoo, keep skin clean and dry
Decubitus ulcers
pressure ulcer, bed sore, localized area of dead skin
shiny, reddened skin over a bony prominence
occurs due to lack of blood supply to area of skin
treatment = topical agents
Scabies and pediculosis
scabies = itch mites, pediculosis = lice
highly contagious, sensation of crawling on skin, rash
treatment = shampoo, creams, lotions
Alopecia
baldness, loss or absence of hair
can be temporary or permanent, can appear gradually or suddenly
due to aging process, heredity, dermatitis
treatment = cream, drug therapy
Folliculitis
inflammatory reaction of the hair follicles that produces pustular lesions
bacterial infection
common condition that generally affects young adults
treatment = topical antiseptic cleanser, antibiotic
Corns and calluses
localized hyperplastic areas of the stratum corneum
corns = glassy core, calluses = larger, develop on ball of feet, palms of hands
pressure/friction from ill fitting shoes
treatment = relieving pressure and friction points, surgical trim
Verrucae
warts, elevated growths of the epidermis
cutaneous manifestation of HPV
common warts, plantar warts, flat warts
treatment = most disappear naturally over time, creams, surgical excision, cryosurgery, electrodesiccation
Deformed or discoloured nails
nails with unusual thickening, shape or colour
due to poor shoes, anemia, vitamin or mineral deficiencies
treatment = discolouration due to illness are cured after illness is corrected, removal by a physician
Paronychia
infection of the skin around a nail
cuticle or nail fold becomes red, painful, whitlow (blister of pus)
caused by bacteria or fungi, people with hands in water for long periods
treatment = antibiotics, cream
Seborrheic keratosis
benign growth, tan/brown papules or plaques
may be black, brown, yellow or other colours, especially in elderly people
treatment = cryosurgery, curettage
Dermatofibroma
benign and asymptomatic
scaly, hard growths that are slightly raised and pinkish brown
treatment = surgically excised
Keratoacanthoma
benign epithelial growth
smooth, red, dome shaped papule with central crust
treatment = surgical excision, adrenocorticosteroids
Keloids and hypertrophic scars
occur secondary to trauma or surgery
cause pruritus and sometimes deformities
more common in black skinned people
treatment = corticosteroids injected into lesion
Epidermal cyst
sebaceous gland slowly fills with thick liquid
some have a blackhead in the pore
cyst may eventually burst
treatment = surgically excised, antibiotics
Acrochordon
common benign skin growths
painless and usually caused by friction
brown, skin coloured, slightly elevated, attached by short stalk
treatment = excisional surgery
Actinic keratosis
premalignant lesions seen on sun-exposed areas of the body
light skinned people have a higher risk
appears as an area of rough, vascular skin, later forms yellowish brown crust
treatment = topical agents
Non-melanoma skin cancers
BCC (basal cell carcinoma), SCC (squamous cell carcinoma), appear anywhere on the body
most common are the sun-exposed areas
BCC = shiny white bump, sore that bleeds, reddish area, smooth growth
SCC = crusted or scaly area, hyperkeratosis (abnormal thickening)
treatment = surgery, cryosurgery, electrodesiccation, curettage, radiation therapy, drug therapy
Malignant melanoma
arises in epidermal melanocytes, cells that make the brown pigment melanin
generally due to sun sensitive skin type, family history
most common symptom is a change in a newly pigmented area of skin, or change in a mole
change in size, colour, shape, elevation, surface, surrounding skin, sensation, consistency
treatment = excision, chemotherapy, radiation therapy
Albinism
rare inherited condition, unable to produce melanin
pale skinned, white hair, pink or pale blue eyes
often accompanied with eye problems
Vitiligo
produces pale irregular patches of skin, often evenly located on one side of the body
often follows a stressful incident
Melasma
occurs in some women during hormonal changes (pregnancy, oral contraceptive use)
patches of darker skin develop
disappears after childbirth or discontinuation of contraceptive
Hemangiomas
benign lesions of blood vessels that produces a red, blue or purple colour
examples = nevus flammeus, strawberry hemangioma
Nevi
moles
small, dark areas of skin composed of dense collections of melanocytes
may occasionally become malignant
Pityriasis
fungal infection that causes patches of flaky, light, or dark skin to develop on the trunk of the body
uncommon condition
Abnormal suntan
unspecified adverse effect from drug, medicinal substance
some drugs and certain diseases can produce a suntan
