Paed Dermatology Flashcards
What is eczema?
Itchy, dry inflammatory skin disease
Types of eczema
Endogenous (internal cause)
- Atopic
- Seborrhoeic - face / scalp - scale associated
- Discoid - annular/circular patches
- Pomphylx - vesicles affecting palms/soles
- Varicose - oedema/venous insufficiency
Exogenous (external cause)
- allergic contact dermatitis (sensitised to allergen)
- irritant contact dermatitis (friction, cold, chemicals e.g. acids, alkalis, detergents, solvents)
Photosensitive/photaggravated eczema
Flares of childhood eczema can be associated with…..
Infections/viral illness environment - central heating - cold air Pets if sensitised/allergic Teething Stress Sometimes no cause for flare
What is the most common type of eczema, especially in children?
Atopic eczema
What is atopy?
Overactive immune response to environmental stimuli
Pathology of atopic eczema
Immune mediated defects in the skin barrier function - dry inflamed skin
The “skin barrier defect”
Associations of atopic eczema
Usually 1 or more family members affected
3 conditions that atopy is often linked to
Asthma
Eczema
Hayfever
Where is atopic eczema seen in infancy?
Typically starts on face/neck (cheeks common)
Can spread more generally
Where is atopic eczema seen in older children?
Flexural pattern predominates (antecubital fossae, popliteal fossae, wrists, hands, ankles)
Facial eczema also possible / can recur
What is there an abnormality in in atopic eczema?
Filaggrin expression
What is the roles of filaggrin?
Bind the keratin filaments together
Play a role in producing natural moisturing factor
What is the features of the loss of skin barrier function of atopic eczema?
Loss of water
Irritants may penetrate (soap, detergents, solvents, dirt)
Allergens may penetrate (pollens, dust mite antigens, microbes)
Who and where is seborrheoic dermatitis mainly seen?
Babies under 3 months
Mainly scalp and face
When does seborrheic dermatitis usually resolve by?
12 months
Associations of seborrheoic dermatitis
proliferation of various species of the skin commensal malassezia in its yeast form
Cradle cap in infants
Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis
emollients
antifungal creams
antifungal shampoos
mild topical steriods
What is discoid eczema?
Scattered annular/circular patches itchy eczema
What can discoid eczema also occur as a part of?
Atopic eczema
Presentation of pomphylx eczema
hand and foot eczema
Characterised by vesicles
Can be intensely itchy
What does varicose eczema affect?
Legs in association with venous insufficienct
Associations of varicose eczema
Oedema
varicose veins
chronic leg swelling
Presentation of varicose eczema
Skin often dry and inflamed
may ulcerate
Treatment of varicose eczema
emollients
topical steroids
compression stockings
What is helpful in determining allergic eczema?
Allergic eczema
Causes of irritant eczema
Repeated contact water and soaps citrus tomatoes chemical irritants
What does eczema =?
Dermatitis
What % of childhood eczema is mild?
80%
Presentation of food allergy
Lip swelling facial redness / itching anaphylactoid symptoms Late reactions - worsening of eczema 24/48 hours after ingestion GI problems failure to thrive Severe eczema unresponsive to treatment Severe generalised itching - even when the skin appears clear
What can be associated with food allergy?
Atopy
2 ways to test for food allergy
Blood test for specific IgE antibodies to certain foods
Skin prick testing
Commonest food allergies
Milk / dairy Soy Peanuts Eggs Wheat Fish
Airborne allergens
house dust mite
pet dander
pollens
How to find out if you are allergic to a food
dietary restrictions / eliminations > 8 weeks