Medicine - Dermatology Flashcards
How can you differentiate between SJS and TEN?
SJS = up to 10% skin involvement TEN (Toxic epidermal necrolysis) = \>30% skin involvement
What is Nikolsky’s sign?
Epidermis separates with mild lateral pressure - secondary to adverse drug reaction
How should SJS or TEN be managed?
Stop the cause
Transfer to ITU
IV Ig
Immunosuppression (eg ciclosporin and cyclophosphamide)
Which drugs are most likely to cause SJS?
Never Press Skin As It Can Peel
NSAIDs
Phenytoin
Sulphonamides
Allopurinol
IV Ig
Carbemazapine
Penicillins
What is erythroderma?
Any rash involving >95% of the body
Recall 3 possible complications of erythroderma
Dehydration
High output heart failure
Infection
What is the cause of adult seborrhoeic dermatitis?
Fungus called malassezia furfur
Humidity & sweating linked
What 2 skin conditions can be caused by malassezia furfur?
Seborrhoeic dermatitis (pic below)
Pityriasis versicolor
What are the 1st and 2nd line options for treating scalp seborrhoeic dermatitis?
1st line = zinc pyrithione (‘head and shoulders’)
2nd line = ketoconazole
Zinc increase copper levels, damaging sulphur clusters needed for fungi
Which pathogen is the most common cause of impetigo?
Staphylococcus aureus
What are the 3 classes of impetigo and their respective management?
Localised, non-bullous: topical H2O2 1% cream / topical fusidic acid
Widespread, non-bullous: oral flucloxacillin or topical fusidic acid
Widespread, bullous: oral flucloxacillin
How long should children with impetigo be excluded from school?
Until lesions crusted over or 48 hours after antibiotics started
What are the lay terms for open and closed comedones?
Open = blackheads Closed = whiteheads
Recall some conservative management options for acne
Avoid over-cleaning face - bd with gentle soap is okay
Make up - use emollients and cleansers, non-comedonegenic preparations
Avoid picking and squeezing
How long should each acne medication be tried for to give it chance to work?
8 weeks
Recall the stepwise medical management of acne
Mild acne:
1st line: topical retinoid and or benzyl peroxide +/- topical clindamycin (which is never prescribed alone)
2nd line: azelaic acid 20%
Moderate (if not responding to topicals) acne:
- oral tetracycline + BPO/retinoid
OR
- oral COCP + BPO/retinoid
Dermatologist referral:
- Oral isotretinoin (roaccutane)
Once acne has cleared, how should this be maintained?
Topical retonoids and azelaic acid
What is Roaccutane?
Synthetic vitamin A
What pregnancy prevention plan should be in place for Roaccutane?
2 forms of contraception as it is very teratogenic
Recall some side effects of Roaccutane
Dry skin
Raised triglycerides
Hair-thinning
Intracranial HTN
Photosensitivity
Low mood
Suicidal ideation
DR HIPLS
What accumulated dose should you aim for with Roaccutane?
Body weight in kg x 100 mg
What is the progression of symptoms of rosacea?
1st = flushing 2nd = symmetrical facial rash with telangiectasia 3rd = persistent pustulopapular erythema
How should rosacea be managed?
Mild-moderate = topical metronidazole Severe = oral tetracycline
Metronidazole- inhibits protein synthesis stopping growth
What is the aetiology of hidradenitis supparativa?
Chronic inflammatory occlusion of folliculopilosebaceous units that obstructs the apocrine glands and prevents keratinocytes from properly shedding the follicular epithelium
In lay terms, what is hidradenitis supparativa?
Abscesses that form near hair follicles in places where we tend to sweat more
What are the 2 biggest risk factors for hidradenitis supparativa?
Smoking and obesity
Rarely, what inflammatory disease is associated with
hidradenitis supparativa?
Crohn’s
How can hidradenitis supparativa be managed?
Conservative: weight loss, stop smoking, hygeine
Acutely: steroids PO, flucloxacillin, I&D
Chronically: topical clindamycin
What pathogen causes pityriasis versicolor?
Malassezia furfur
How does pityriasis versicolor appear?
Hypopigmented patches on trunk
Mild pruritis
How is pityriasis versicolor managed?
Topical ketoconazole
How does vitiligo appear?
Well demarctaed, depigmented skin patches usually affecting the peripheries
Recall some associations of vitiligo (don’t need to know in detail)
T1DM
Addison’s
Autoimmune thyroid
Pernicious anaemia
Alopecia areata
How can vitiligo be managed?
Sunblock Topical corticosteroids (reverses changes if applied early)
What pathogen causes pityriasis rosea?
HHV-7
Describe the presentation of pityriasis rosea
Recent viral infection –> herald patch
Then erythematous, oval scaly patches
How should pityriasis rosea be managed?
It is self-limiting (6-12w) so no need
Broadly describe the 4 types of psoriasis
Plaque - most common, is well-demarcated red and scaly - affects scalp, back, extensors
Guttate - following a strep infection, “tear drop” lesions
Pustular - affects palms and soles
Flexural - skin is smooth
Recall some factors that exacerbate psoriasis
Trauma
EtOH
Certain drugs
Which drugs can exacerbate psoriasis?
INFLAME
Infliximab
NSAIDs
For HTN (beta blockers)
Lithium
ACE inhibitors
Malarial drugs
EtOH
How should chronic plaque psoriasis be managed in primary care? (give 1st, 2nd and 3rd line)
1st line: 4w trial of OM potent corticosteroid and ON (once daily) vitamin D analogue
2nd line: after 8w (so 4w break): OM potent corticosteroid and BD (twice daily) vitamin D analogue
3rd line: 4w trial of BD potent corticosteroid OR coal tar
Use emollients as an adjunct
What is the maximum duration of use of topical potent and very potent steroids before a break is needed?
Potent = 8w
Very potent = 4w
How can chronic plaque psoriasis be managed in secondary care?
Phototherapy/photochemotherapy Systemic immunosuppression (eg infliximab, etanercept, ustekinumab)
Describe the distribution of eczema in infants vs children vs young adults
Infants: face and trunk
Child: extensors
Young adult: flexures
Describe the different severities of eczema in terms of physical symptoms
Mild: infrequent itching, some areas of dry skin and a little redness
Moderate: frequent itching, lots of redness and some excoriation
Severe: widespread dryness, incessant itching, redness, excoriation, thickening, cracking, alteration of pigmentation
How should eczema be investigated?
Consider food allergy and contact dermatitis
Skin prick tests
Patch tests
How long should flares of eczema be treated for?
Treat ASAP and for 48 hours after resolution of symptoms
Recall the management of mild, moderate and severe eczema
Mild: emollients, mild potency topical corticosteroids
Moderate: emollients, moderate potency topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus) and bandages
Severe: emollients, potent topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, bandages and phototherapy
How should infected eczema (not herpeticum) be managed?
Skin swab and culture
Flucloxacillin PO
How should eczema herpeticum be managed?
Oral aciclovir
If around eyes, same day referral to ophthalmologist
Looks similar to impetigo so ALSO treat for that with oral aciclovir
How should topical emollients and steroids be applied
Emollients applied liberally
Wait 30 mins
then apply steroids
Recall 2 examples of topical calcineurin inhibitors that can be used to manage eczema
Mild-moderate - pimecrolimus
Moderate - severe - tacrolimus
Recall some points for PACES counselling for eczema
Explain diagosis (dry, itchy skin)
Explain epidemiology (very common, many grow out of it)
Explain management
Encourage frequent, liberal use of emollients and use of emollients as a soap substitute
Advise avoidance of triggers
Avoid scratching if poss (eg mittens for infants)
Safety ned about signs of infection
Info: itchysneezywheezy.co.uk shows how to apply emollients
What type of pathogen causes tinea?
Dermatophyte fungi
What pathogen causes tinea?
Trichophytum rubrum
How should scabies be managed?
Permethrin - full body treatment that you wash off after 8-12 hours - treat all household/close contacts
How should headlice be managed?
Malathion
How should tinea be managed?
Mild –> topical antifungals (terbinafine)
Mod–> hydrocortisone 1%
Severe–> oral antifungals (eg terbinafine)
If tinea capitis –> oral antifungal
How long should children with tinea be excluded from school?
No need
Recall 2 risk factors for shingles
Increasing age
Immunosuppression
Describe the symptoms of shingles
Prodromal burning pain over the affected dermatome for 2-3 days +/- fever, headache, lethargy
Rash begins erythematous, macular –> vesicular
For how long is shingles infectious?
Until vesicles have crusted over (about 5-7 days)
How should shingles be managed?
PO aciclovir if <72 hours from symptom onset and >50y/in lots of pain/ immunocompromised
Analgesia: paracetamol/ NSAIDs –>amitriptyline
Emergency referral if serious complications suspected
Recall 3 possible complications of shingles
Post-herpetic neuralgia
Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (affects ocular division of CNV)
Herpes zoster oticus (Ramsay Hunt syndrome)
What are the 2 pre-malignant conditions for squamous cell carcinoma known as?
Actinic keratoses and keratocanthomas
Where do actinic keratoses appear?
sun-exposed areas
How can actinic keratoses be managed medically?
Fluorouracil + topical hydrocortisone
Topical diclofenac/imiquimod
What are some surgical options for managing actinic keratoses?
Cryotherapy
Curettage and cautery
What is a keratocanthoma?
Pre-malignant skin condition (for SCC) with rapid growth (around 1 week)
How should keratocanthomas be managed?
Excision
What is the causative organism in fungal nail infections 90% of the time?
Trichophytum rubrum (dermatophyte)
How can fungal nail infections be investigated?
Nail clipping MC&S
How should fungal nail infections be managed?
Must first confirm infection by MC&S in order to commence treatment
- Can do nothing (if pt not bothered)
- Can do PO terbinafine (2nd line itraconazole)
- finger = 6w-3m
- toe = 3-6m
- If candida infection –> topical antifungals
How does lichen planus appear?
Rash is:
Purple
Pruritic
Papular
Polyglonal
Also can get thin, white lines in the mouth
Where does lichen planus tend to affect?
Flexor surfaces
Recall some causes of lichen planus
Gold
Thiazides
Quinine
How should lichen planus be managed?
Topical steroids
How does lichen sclerosus appear?
Itchy white spots typically on the vulva of elderly womenn
How should lichen sclerosus be managed?
1st: clobetasol proprionate ointment
2nd: tacrolimus and biopsy
Which 2 pathogens are most likely to cause cellulitis?
Strep pyogenes
Staph aureus
What classification system is used for cellulitis?
Eron classification
How should cellulitis be managed?
Mild/mod: flucloxacillin
Severe: co-amox
Describe the 4 severities of cellulitis under the Eron classification
I - no signs of systemic toxicity, person has no uncontrolled comorbidities
II - systemically unwell OR systemically well with an uncontrolled comorbidity
III - significant systemic upset such as acute confusion, tachycardia/tachypnoea, hypotension, unstable comorbidity
IV - sepsis/ necrotising fasciitis
What is the cause of erysipelas?
Strep pyogenes