Lecture 8 - dermatology Flashcards
what are factors to assess in a skin assessement?
- colour -
* normal skin has an even skin tone.
* pallor has apleness, coud indicate anemia or shock
* redness/ erythema: inflamamtio, infection or skin irritation - moisture
* normal: skin should feel dry to slightly moist
* dryness: could indicate dehydration, hypothyroidism, or skin conditions like eczema - temperature
* hot areas can indicate inflammation or infection
4.Texture
*normal: skin should feel smooth
*Rough/ dry: linked to hypothyroidism, eczema or psoriasis
*Thin/ fragile: may occur with aging or prolonged use of corticosteroids
- Turgor (Elasticity)
*pinching the skin to check for how it quickly it returns to its normal position
* Delayed return can suggest dehydration or poor skin health - lesion/ Rashes
Size: Are they small or large?
Shape: Are they round, oval, or irregular?
Colour: Are they red, brown, or black?
Texture: Are they raised, flat, or rough?
Pattern: Is there a single lesion or a pattern of multiple?
Location: Are they localized or widespread?
Evolution: Have they changed in size, shape, or colour? - Hair and Nails
Hair: Hair loss, thinning, or abnormal growth patterns.
Nails: Changes like clubbing, ridges, or discoloration
8. Integrity
Check for cuts, sores, ulcers, or bruises, scars
- Oedema (Swelling)
Pressing the skin to check if there is pitting (indentation after pressure)
what are types of skin problems ?
chronic conditions include psoriasis, and atopic eczema
short term/ intermittent conditions include eczema/ dermatitis (contact, irritant, allergic), viral conditions, fungal infections or bacterial infections
describe psoriasis
psoriasis is a non-contagious chance inflammatory disease of the skin.
it is characterised by raised ed plaques with silver scaling, nail pitting and onycholysis
commonly affected areas include knees, elbows, scalp and lower back
describe atopic eczema
intrinsic - no aprticlaur cause identified
characterised by redness and swelling, with ill-defined margins
papules, vesicles (less with chronic condition)
exudation (less with chronic condition) and cracking
scaling
lichenification (thickening of skin)
fissures and scratch marks
pigmentation changes (hypo- and hyper-)
describe extrinsic eczema or dermatitis
different types of dermatitis where n indetifiable cause is found (extrinsic). irritant eg alkalis, detergents, solvent and allergic contact eg nickel, perfumes, lanolin
cans suddenly occur despite the skin being in contact with causative agent before
typical signs ad symptoms include rash or ofnlamtiion or irritation, red and hot (can look like sunburn ), very itchy, bleeding may occur on scratching
describe viral infections
a whole range of skin infections seen in community affecting children mainly
chicken pox - caused by varicella-zoster virus
hand and foot mouth - acute viral illness caused by enteroviruses from the picornavirus family
slapped cheek - parvovirus B19
what are warts
warts are small rough growns that are caused by infection of keratinocytes with HPV commonly seen on the hands and feet
what is a verucca?
verucca is also known as a plantar isa a wart on the sole of the feet - can occur at nay age but unusual in infants and very young children
Spread by direct skin to skin contact or indirectly via contact with contaminated surfaces or floors (swimming pool or shower room floors)
what is molluscum contagious ?
a viral skin infection caused by the molluscum conatgiosum virus - a member of the poxviridae family
characteristics are fresh coloured umbilicate apapules which develop over a few weeks, usually 3-5mm in diameter
appear in clusters in the body except the palm of hands or soles of feet
describe cold sores
highly contagious they are preset as blisters orufn the mouth and/or nose. it is caused by the herpes simplex virus. untreated cold sores will take around 7-10 days to clear up
describe shingles
shingles is caused by varicella zoster virus. History of symptoms when started, location, duration and severity required. There is abnormal skin sensitive and pain (burning, stabbing or throbbing) in the affected area
describe ringworm
ringworm is a fungal infection. it is contagious and is frequently caught fro animals, especially horses. it can be passed from person to person. Tinea cruris – superficial skin infections predominantly caused by dermatophytes such as trichophyton rubrum
Risk factors include hot humid environments, wearing tight fitting clothing, obesity, and hyperhidrosis
Itchy scaly skin, groin involvement of inguinal folds and proximal medial thighs.
describe nasty rash
nappy rash is an acute inflammatory reaction of the skin in the nappy area, which is most commonly caused by an irritant contact dermatitis. the skin barrier function can be compromised by skin maceration, friction, prolonged skin contact with urine and faeces and resultant increased skin pH. complications include secondary infection with Candida albicans and bacteria such as staph aureus and streptococci
describe athletes foot
athletes foot infection suavely involves intense itching, tenderness, soreness, opaque white, cracking and peeling skin, soggy or spongy skin, occurring between toes or soles of the feet. if toenails are affected then refer to the GP
describe impetigo
impetigo is a common superficial bacterial infection of the skin caused by staph aureus or strptogenes and is most common in young children.
