Miscellaneous Flashcards
How can psychological stress trigger a skin condition
Activate the hypothalamus and hypophysis resulting in release of neuromediators
Can stimulate release of norepinephrine and cortisol from the adrenal glands
OR
Leukocytes into the blood stream via receptors
Give examples of neuromediators
Corticotropin-releasing hormone, melanocyte stimulating hormone
Role of dryness of skin in defence against infection
Desiccates microorganisms
Role of sebum in defence against infection
Inhibits bacterial growth
What is staph
Gram positive cocci in clusters
Skin and soft tissue treatment options for MRSA
Doxycycline, co-trimoxazole, clindamycin
Clinical relevance of staph. Saprophyticus
Causes UTIs in women of child bearing age
Name 3 bacteria that may be commensals
Staph. Epi
Corynebacterium
Propionibacterium
Give an example of a fungal infection
Candidiasis
Clinical presentation of candidiasis
Infection of the skin folds - under the breasts, groin, abdominal skin folds
Diagnosis of candidiasis
Swab for culture
Management of candidiasis
Clotrimazole cream, oral fluconazole
Who usually gets ringworm
Men
How do we get a ringworm infection
Most commonly from infected humans
Animals
Soil
Causal organisms of ringworm
Trichophyton rubrum, T.mentagrophytes and microsportum canis
Pathophysiology of ringworm
Fungus enters
Hyphae spread to stratum corneum
Increased epidermal turnover causes scaling
Inflammatory response in the dermis
What type of tissue can ringworm infect
ONLY keratinised tissue
How does ring worm infection get its appearance
Lesion grows outwards and heals in the centre leaving a ring appearance
Local management of ringworm
Clotrimazole cream, topical nail paint
Management of scalp ringworm
Terbinafine or itraconozole orally
Who gets scalp ringworm
Children
What causes scabies
Sarcoptes scabiei
Incubation period of scabies
Around 6 weeks
Clinical presentation of scabies
Intensely itchy rash
Burrows
Where does scabies tend to affect
Finger webs, wrists, genital area
Management of scabies
Malathion lotion applied overnight and washed off the next day
Management of lice
Malathion
What are the 3 main components of a dermatology clinical examination
Distribution
Configuration
Morphology
Discrete configuration of lesions
Lesions are well demarcated, can be clearly seen individually
Coalescing configuration of lesions
Individual lesions present but starting to merge together to form larger abnormal areas
Confluent configuration of lesions
No normal skin visible
Annular configuration of lesions
Lesions in a ring-shaped pattern
What is pitting of the nails
Small depressions of the nail plate
What is oncholysis
Separation of the nail plate from bed
What is hypertrichosis
General excess growth of hair
Name some local causes of hypertrichosis
Naevi, faun tail, chronic scarring, inflammation
State general causes of hypertrichosis
Malnutrition, anorexia, porphyria, occult malignancy, drugs
Name some drugs that can cause hypertrichosis
Minoxidil
Phenytoin
Cyclosporin
What is hirsutism
Excess growth in a male pattern
What is erythema
Vascular dilatation
What is purpura
Extravasation of blood
How to differentiate between erythema and purpura
Erythema blanches on pressure
What is petechia
1-2 mm area of flat purpura
What is a macule
Localised flat colour change <1 cm
What is a patch
Localised flat colour change >1 cm
What is a papule
Localised elevated area <0.5cm
What is a nodule
Localised elevated area >0.5 cm
Describe a maculopapular rash
Has both flat and elevated components
What is a plaque
Raised edge and flatter surface >1 cm
What is a pustule
Pus filled raised lesion
What is a vesicle
Fluid filled raised lesion <0.5cm
What is a bulla
Fluid filled raised lesion >0.5 cm
What is a wheal
Compressible dermal swelling
What is a cyst
Nodule containing semi-solid material
What is scale
Accumulated fragments of keratin layer
What is crust
Dried exudate
What is lichenification
Thickening with increased skin markings
What is a scar
Area where normal tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue
What is a fissure
A linear split in the epidermis
What is an erosion
A superficial break in the epidermis
What is an ulcer
A deeper break into the epidermis
What are predisposing factors
Past factors which contribute to the development of a problem
What are precipitating factors
Current factors or stressors that triggered the current problem at this time
What are perpetuating factors
Issues that contribute to the problem continuing