Paediatric dermatology Flashcards
What is eczema?
Chronic atopic condition caused by defects in the normal continuity of the skin barrier, leading to inflammation in the skin
When does eczema usually present?
Infancy with dry, red, itchy and sore patches of skin covering the flexor surfaces
What is the management of eczema?
Emollients
What is the management of eczema flares?
Emollients and topical steroids and treating any complications such as bacterial or viral infections
What thin emollients are available?
E45
Diprobase cream
Oliatum cream
Aveeno cream
Cetraben cream
Epaderm cream
What thick, greasy emollients are available?
50:50 ointment
Hydromol ointment
Diprobase ointment
Cetraben ointment
Epaderm ointment
What are the side effects of topical steroids?
They can thin the skin- more prone to flares, bruising, tearing, stretch marks and telangiectasia
What is on the steroid ladder for eczema?
Mild: Hydrocortisone 0.5%,1% and 2.5%
Moderate: Eumovate (clobetasone butyrate 0,05%)
Potent: Betnovate (betamethasone 0.1%)
Very potent: Dermovate (clobetasol propionate 0.05%)
What is the most common organism to infect the skin in eczema?
Staphylococcus aureus
How do you usually treat staphylococcus aureus infection of the skin?
Flucloxacillin
What is eczema herpeticum?
Viral skin infection in patients with eczema caused by herpes simplex virus or varicella zoster virus
What was eczema herpeticum previously known as?
Kaposi varicelliform eruption
What is the typical presentation of eczema herpeticum?
Patient who has eczema, develops a widespread, painful, vesicular rash with systemic symptoms such as fever, lethargy, irritability and reduced oral intake. Usually have lymphadenopathy
What is the management for eczema herpeticum?
Aciclovir- oral or IV if severe
What are the complications of eczema herpeticum?
Can be life threatening and leave patients immunocompromised.
Bacterial superinfection
What is psoriasis?
A chronic autoimmune condition that causes recurrent symptoms of psoriatic skin lesions
What is the genetic component of psoriasis?
A 1/3 of patients have a first degree relative with psoriasis
What does psoriasis look like?
Patches of dry, flaky, scaly, faintly erythematous skin lesions that appear in raised and rough plaques, commonly on extensor surfaces
What are the 4 types of psoriasis?
Plaque psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis
Erythrodermic psoriasis
What is plaque psoriasis?
Thickened erythematous plaques with silver scales on scalp and extensor surfaces, 1-10 cm in diameter, most common type
What is guttate psoriasis?
Second most common and common in children. Raised papules across trunks and limbs, over time they can turn into plaques. Usually resolves spontaneously within 3-4 months
What is guttate psoriasis often triggered by?
Streptococcal throat infection, stress or medications
What is pustular psoriasis?
Rare and severe with pustules under areas of erythematous skin, pus is not infectious. Patients can be systemically unwell and usually require admission to hospital
What is erythrodermic psoriasis?
Rare, severe form with extensive erythematous inflamed areas covering most of the surface of the skin. Skin comes away in large patches and should be treated as a medical emergency
Which type of psoriasis is more common in children?
Guttate psoriasis
What specific signs are suggestive of psoriasis?
Auspitz sign- small points of bleeding when plaques are scraped off
Koebner phenomenon- development of psoriatic lesions to areas of skin affected by trauma
Residual pigmentation of the skin after the lesions resolve
What treatment options are there for psoriasis?
Topical steroids
Topical vitamin D analogues
Topical dithranol
Topical calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolims) usually only in adults
Phototherapy with narrow band ultraviolet B light - particualryl useful in extensive guttate psoriasis
What medications may be presrcibed for children with psoriasis that are unlicensed?
Dovobet
Enstilar
What else is associated with psoriasis?
Nail psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and cardiovascular disease associated with psoriasis
What is acne caused by?
Chronic inflammation with or without localised infection, in pockets within the skin known as pilosebaceous unit
Why is acne exacerbated by puberty?
Androgenic hormones increase production of sebum
What bacteria plays an important role in acne?
Propionibacterium
What are macules?
Flat marks on the skin
What are papules?
Small lumps on the skin
What are pustules?
Small lumps containing yellow pus
What are blackheads?
Open comedomes with black pigmentation in the centre
What are comedomes?
Skin coloured papules representing blocked pilosebaceous units
What are ice pick scars?
Small indentations in the skin that remain after acne lesions heal
What are hypertrophic scars?
Small lumps in the skin that remain after acne lesions heal
What are rolling scars?
Irregular wave-like irregularities of the akin that remain after acne lesions heal
What is the most effective combined contraceptive pill for acne?
Co-cyprindiol because of its anti-androgen effecrs but has a higher risk of thromboembolism
What are the side effects of isotreintoin?
Dry skin and lips
Photosensitvity of the skin
Depression
Rarely Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
What is exanthem?
Eruptive widespread rash
What are the six exanthems?
First: Measles
Second: Scarlet fever
Thrid: Rubella
Fourth: Dukes’ disease
Fifth: Parvovirus B19
Sicth: Roseola infantum
What is measles and how does it present?
Highly contagious via respiratory droplets, symptoms start 10-12 days after exposure with fever, coryzal and conjunctivitis
What is another sign of measles that is pathognomonic?
Koplik spots are greyish white spots on the buccal mucosa which appear 2 days after fever
What is the rash like in measles?
Starts on the face, classcially behind the ears, 3-5 days after the fever and then spreads to the rest of the body. It is erythematous, macular with flat lesions
What is the management of measles?
Self-resolving after 7-10 days of symptoms. Children should isolate until 4 days after their symptoms resolve
What are the complications of measles?
Pneumonia
Diarrhoea
Dehydration
Encephalitis
Meningitis
Hearing loss
Vision loss
Death
What pathogen is scarlet fever associated with?
Group A streptococcus, usually tonsilitis but it is not caused by a virus
What is scarlet fever caused by?
Exotoxin produced by streptococcus pyogenes
What are the features of scarlet fever?
Red-pink, blotchy, macular rash with rough sandpaper skin that starts on the trunk and spreads outwards. may have red flushed cheeks
Fever
Lethargy
Flushed face
Sore throat
Strawberry tongue
Cervical lymphadenopathy
What is the treatment of scarlet fever?
Phenoxymethylpenicillin for 10 days
What are the notifiable dermatological conditions?
What conditions are associated with group A strep infection?
Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
Acute rheumatic fever
What is rubella caused by?
Caused by rubella virus, highly contagious and spread by respiratory droplets
how does rubella present?
2 weeks after exposure
erythematous macular rash milder than measles that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Rash classically lasts 3 days
What can rubella be associated with?
mild fever, joint pain and a sore throat.
Patients often have enlarged lymph nodes
What are the complications of rubella?
Thrombocytopenia and encephalitis
What can rubella in pregnancy lead to?
Congenital rubella syndrome; deafness, blindness and congenital heart disease
What is parvovirus B19 also known as?
fifth disease, slapped cheek syndrome and erythema infectiosum
What does parvovirus infection start with?
Fever, coryza and muscle aches and lethargy
When does the rahs in parvovirus B19 usually occur?
after 2-5 days of non-specific symptoms
Where is the rash in parvovirus B19?
On both cheeks as though they have slapped cheeks and then a few days later a reticular mildly erythematous rash affects the trunk and limbs that appears raised and itchy
What is the management of parvovirus B19?
Usually self-limiting and rash and symptoms fade over 1-2 weeks
Which patients are at risk of complications with parvovirus B19?
Immunocompromised patients, pregnant women and patients with haematological conditions such as sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, hereditary spherocytosis and haemolytic anaemia
What do patients at risk of complications of parvovirus B19 require?
FBC and reticulocyte count for aplastic anaemia and serology testing
What are the complications of parvovirus B19?
Aplastic anaemia
Encephalitis or meningitis
Pregnancy complications including fetal death
Rarely hepatitis, myocarditis or nephritis
What is sixth disease?
Roseola infantum
What is roseola infantum caused by?
Human herpesvirus 6 or less frequently human herpesvirus 7
What is the typical pattern of illness in roseola?
presnets 1-2 weeks after infection with sudden high fever that lasts for 3-5 days then disappears suddenly. When fever settles, rash appears for 1-2 days- mild erythematous mcular rash across the arms, legs, trunk, face and is not itchy
What is the main complication of roseola infantum?
Febrile convulsions
What are the complications of roseola infantum in immunocompromised patients?
Myocarditis
Thrombocytopenia
Guillain-Barre syndrome
What is erythema multiforme?
Erythematous rash caused by a hypersensitivity reaction