Other: Nutrition and the Skin Flashcards
How does obesity affect sebaceous glands?
Increased androgens produced in peripheral fat stimulate sebaceous glands, which can lead to acne
What is hirsutism?
Increased hair in females in male distribution e.g. beard area, linked to hyper-androgenism
How does obesity affect the endocrine roles of subcutaneous adipose tissue?
Obesity can result in increased hormone production, e.g. testosterone, by adipose tissue - hyper-androgenism
How does obesity affect the lymphatics?
Pressure from fat impedes lymphatic flow and causes leakage of protein rich lymphatic fluid into subcutaneous tissues
How does obesity affect the barrier function of skin?
Results in increased trans-epidermal moisture loss meaning skin tends to be dry
What is androgentic alopecia?
Male pattern balding in men and women, linked to hyper-androgenism
What is intertrigo?
Macerated red plaques which develop in skin folds due to high moisture levels, friction, increased pH and reduce barrier function
The plaques are prone to secondary infection
How does obesity affect circulation?
Obesity is associated with microvascular dysfunction resulting in increased skin blood flow which may contribute to hypertension
What causes kwashiorkor?
Very low protein intake with reasonable carbohydrate intake
There is oedema, children often develop a ‘pot belly’
Define marasmus
Global nutrient deficiency causing weight loss by fat breakdown
Patients will be very thin with muscle wasting and dry, wrinkled loose skin
How does obesity contribute to chronic venous insufficiency?
Abdominal obesity resists venous return from the legs, the veins dilate and their valves become incompetent causing increased hydrostatic pressure
This leads to venous dermatitis, chronic scaring and possibly eventually venous ulceration
What is hidradenitis suppurative?
Chronic inflammatory disease where boils and abscesses form and scar in apocrine gland areas (especially axilla and groin), linked to hyper-androgenism
What are skin tags?
Small, soft skin-coloured growths frequently found around axillae and neck areas, associated with insulin resistance
How does obesity predispose individuals to skin infections?
Patients will have increased tendency to bacteria, fungal, and yeast infections, especially in skin folds and areas where circulation is affected
What are stretch marks?
Type of scarring associated with dermal connective tissue injury in response to local stretching forces e.g. rapid weight gain in pregnancy and obesity, linked to hyper-androgenism
How does obesity contribute to lymphodema?
Increased subcutaneous fat causes reduced lymphatic drainage, leading to swelling, chronic inflammation and fibrosis
As tissue oxygenation is reduced, bacterial overgrowth can occur and cellulitis develops easily → further lymphatic damage
Define acanthosis nigricans
Velvety thickening and pigmentation of skin folds, usually axillae, associated with insulin resistance
Define food allergy
An immune reaction, usually IgE mediated, to food
Define food intolerance
A non-immune reaction to food e.g. lactose intolerance where lactase enzyme deficiency leads to poor breakdown of lactose → unabsorbed lactose causes symptoms
How can obesity affect collagen and wound healing?
Animal studies suggest the reduced mechanical strength of skin in obesity is due to a failure of collagen deposition to match the increased surface area
Which form of psoriasis is particularly aggravated by obesity?
Flexural psoriasis
How does obesity affect the apocrine and eccrine skin glands?
Increased activity in skin folds increases moisture/skin maceration
Friction in folds increases irritation
