Intro to Dermatology

Question 1

What is asked in a dermatological history?

Answer 1

SOCRATES
- Sun exposure? Tanning beds? Sunscreen?
- Atopy?
- Skin cancer and immunosuppressants
- Detail about type of allergies
- Occupation important . Improvement when not at work?
- FH of skin disease

Question 2

How is the impact of QOL measured in dermatology?

Answer 2

Using the ‘Dermatology Life Quality Index’

It asks how often the patient experiences uncomfortable symptoms, and the impact they have on daily living

Question 3

What is the Eumelanin human skin colour scale?

Answer 3

Measures the amount of eumelanin in the skin by the way the persons skin reflects light of pre-determined wavelength

Eumelanin Low :<25 (White)
Eumelanin Intermediate Low: 25-<50
Eumelanin Intermediate: 50-<75
Eumelanin Intermediate High: 75-<100
Eumelanin High: ≥100 (Black)

Question 4

What is a Wood’s light examination?

Answer 4

A hand-held source of UV light where visible rays have been excluded by a
Wood’s (nickel oxide) filter
- depigmented areas of vitiligo are greatly enhanced, Malassezia yeast emit a
yellow-orange fluorescence

(Used for differentials)

Question 5

What is a dermoscopic examination?

Answer 5

Allows visualization of subsurface skin structures in the epidermis, dermo epidermal junction, and upper dermis usually not visible to the naked eye

(Primarily used for lesions)

Question 6

What is the koebner phenomenon?

Answer 6

Appearance of new skin lesions on previously unaffected skin secondary to trauma

Eg. in psoriasis, injury to the skin can trigger the formation of new plaques (happens to 1 in 4 people with psoriasis)

Question 7

What is an annular lesion?

Answer 7

Ring-like shape