Investigations Flashcards
What is a wood’s lamp and what is it used for?
It is an ultraviolet light that is used to look at the skin closely.
It can be used to examine the head when there is a Tinea infection. The fungus may glow whne under this light
What is dermatoscopy?
The examination of skin lesions using a dermatoscope
What is mole mapping?
A procedure that involves being photographed using a dermascopic lens.
- Its done to monitor any unusual looking moles on a persons body
What is onychomycosis?
A fungal infection of the nail that causes:
- Discoloration
- Thickening of the nail
- Separation from the nail bed
What is paronychia?
Nail inflammation that may result from trauma, irritation or infection
How would you confirm the diagnosis of a fungal nail infection?
Nail clipping/ scraping for fungal microscopy
What areas would you expect to be affected in a dermatophytes infection?
These are fungi that require keratin to grow. They cause superficial infections of the:
Common dermatophytes is Tinea
- Skin
- Hair
- Nails
What are indications for allergen testing? (5 examples)
- Persistent asthma
- Suspected drug allergy
- Suspected insect allergy
- Suspected food allergy
- Seasonal rhinitis
What happens during an allergen test ? (3 steps)
- A drop of the substance you may be allergic to is put on a small section of the arm
- The skin is gently pricked underneath this area
- If there is an allergy an itchy red bump will appear within 15 minutes
What screening is done to investigate connective tissue disorders? (6 things)
- FBC (E.g might see raised eosinophils)
- U+E’s
- LFT
- Antibodies (ANA, ENA&ANCA
- Immunoglobulins and electrophoresis (myeloma etc)
- CXR
What abx is first line for infective eczema ?
Flucloxacillin
or clarithromycin if allergic
What medication most commonly causes a lichenoid eruption (purple, flat-topped, papules on the trunk)?
Antihypertensives such as BB, thiazides, ACEi
How do you diagnose autoimmune blistering diseases?
immunofluorescence testing
