Patel Flashcards
What is dermatitis? What are the 5 common types?
- Aka, eczema: refers to heterogeneous group of disorders that share similarities in clinical appearance and histopathologic findings, but may have very different etiologies
- Common types of dermatitis include:
1. Allergic contact dermatitis
2. Irritant contact dermatitis
- Atopic dermatitis
- Dyshidrotic dermatitis
- Lichen simplex chronicus
What do these 2 images show?
- Acute dermatitis: vesicular or bullous (picture of allergic contact dermatitis from poison ivy)
- Chronic dermatitis: may be red, scaly, and lichenified with fissures
- Pruritus (itchy skin that makes you want to scratch) is a common symptom in all types of dermatitis
What is contact dermatitis? What are the 2 types?
- Skin condition created by a rxn to an externally applied substance
- There are two types of contact dermatitis:
1. Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD)
- Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD)
What is the pathogenesis of allergic contact dermatitis?
- Delayed-type (type IV) T-cell mediated hypersensitivity reaction
- Two phases of the reaction: sensitization (induction) and elicitation (challenge)
- The sensitization process requires 10-14 days
1. Upon re-exposure, dermatitis appears within 12-48 hrs
What are the common causes of allergic contact dermatitis?
- Most common cause: Rhus dermatitis, from poison ivy, oak, or sumac (urushiol resin)
- Also: fragrances, formaldehyde, preservatives, topical antibiotics, Benzocaine, Vitamin E, rubber compounds, nickel
What are the clinical findings in ACD?
- Main symptom is PRURITIS (itching)
- Presents as eczematous, scaly edematous plaques with vesiculation distributed in areas of exposure
- Bilateral if the exposure is bilateral (e.g., shoes, gloves, ingredients in creams, etc.)
What are these?
-
Poison oak (left): 3-7cm, lobulated notched edges, groups of 3, 5, or 7
1. Grows on bush-like plants and turn colors in autumn -
Poison ivy (right): 3-15 cm, notched edges, gps of 3
1. Grows on hairy-stemmed vines or low shrubs, and turn colors in autumn
What is the typical timeline for Rhus allergy?
- Initial episode occurs 7-10 days after exposure, and is the longest, lasting up to 6 weeks
- On subsequent outbreaks, rash may appear w/in hours of exposure and usually w/in 2 days
1. Individual sensitivity variable, so the eruption may be mild to severe -> lasts 10-21 days, depending on the severity
What is this showing?
- Progression of Rhus dermatitis: lesions begin as erythematous macules that become papules or plaques
- Blisters often form over one to two days
What do you see here?
Examples of severe Rhus allergy
What is this?
- Linear streaks aid in diagnosis of Rhus dermatitis (from the linear contact of the plant)
- NOTE: fomites can be contaminated by the plant oil and lead to recurrent eruptions
What is the treatment for Rhus dermatitis?
- Most patients need minor supportive care:
1. Topical steroids for localized involvement
2. Topical or oral antihistamines may improve pruritus
3. Oatmeal soaks/calamine lotion may soothe weeping erosions - Severe involvement may require oral steroids:
1. Failing potent topical steroids, or widespread
2. If given less than 2-3 wks, pts may relapse -> do NOT give short bursts of steroids
How can you prevent Rhus allergy?
- Avoid the plants
- Wash clothing, shoes, and objects after exposure (within 10 minutes if possible)
- Apply barrier: clothing, OTC products which bind resin more than skin
What do you think happened here? Describe it. Common causes?
-
Eyelid allergic contact dermatitis: INTENSELY PRURITIC -> often via transfer from the hands
1. Scaling red plaques on upper > lower eyelids -
Common causes:
1. Nail adhesive/polish
2. Fragrances and preservatives in cosmetics
3. Nickel
How should you evaluate dermatitis?
- Comprehensive history
- Complete dermatologic assessment of the patient
- Shape, configuration, and location of dermatitis are useful clues in identifying the culprit allergen
- Elimination of a suspected trigger may be both diagnostic and therapeutic
- In chronic cases, patch testing is necessary to identify specific allergens
What additional questions might you ask a patient with suspected dermatitis?
- In addition to the dermatitis-specific history (e.g., onset, location, temporal associations, treatment), be sure to ask about:
1. Daily skin care routine
2. All topical products
3. Occupation/hobbies
4. Regular and occasional exposures (e.g. lawn care products, animal shampoos)
What is this? How is done?
- Example of a pt with patches (allergens) on back
- Patch testing: used to determine which allergens a pt with allergic contact dermatitis reacts against
- A series of allergens are applied to the back, and they are removed after 2 days
1. On day 4 or 5, the pt returns for the results - (+) reactions show erythema and papules or vesicles
- Identification of specific allergens helps the patient find products free of those allergens
When do patients need to have patch testing? What does a (+) test mean?
- NOT all patients with ACD need patch testing
1. Refer patients when the allergen is unclear or the dermatitis is chronic - A positive reaction on patch testing does NOT mean the pt’s rash is due to that specific allergen
- Elimination of the rash w/removal of the allergen confirms clinical relevance of the positive patch test
What do you see here?
- Positive patch test reactions at 96 hour reading
- This patient had three positive reactions:
1. Nickel, Balsam of Peru, and Fragrance - Avoidance of these allergens should improve their rash
What is the treatment for ACD?
- AVOID EXPOSURE to the offending substance
- Tx of acute phase depends on the severity of the dermatitis:
1. Mild 2 mod cases: topical steroids of med to strong potency for limited course is successful
2. Short course of systemic steroids may be required for acute flares - Oatmeal baths or soothing lotions can provide further relief in mild cases
- Wet dressings are helpful when there is extensive oozing and crusting
What is this?
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Medication allergy to topical antibiotic cream
This 11-year-old girl presents with 3 months of an itchy rash on the sides of her nose and ears… What is going on?
She’s allergic to her nickel glasses (ACD)
What do you see here?
- Nickel dermatitis (ACD): erythematous plaque with scattered papules above the umbilicus
- 2nd most common allergic contact dermatitis next to Rhus dermatitis
This respiratory therapist has an intermittent rash that clears when she goes on vacation… What is going on? What are the 2 ways it can present?
- Latex allergy: may present as delayed or immediate hypersensitivity
-
Delayed hypersensitivity (T4): pts develop an ACD
1. Often presents on dorsal surface of hands -
Immediate hypersensitivity (T1): may present with immediate sxs like burning, stinging, or itching with or w/o localized urticaria on contact w/latex proteins
1. May include disseminated urticaria, allergic rhinitis, and/or anaphylaxis (rarely)
What do you see in these images?
- Allergic contact dermatitis to:
a: neoprene in keyboard pad
b: paraphenylenediamene
c: shoes
d: bleached rubber
What do you see here?
- Allergic contact dermatitis to:
e: bacitracin
f: neomycin in an otic suspension
What is going on here?
ACD
What happened here?
ACD
What are the key points for ACD?
- One of two types of contact dermatitis
- Occurs when contact with a particular substance elicits a delayed hypersensitivity reaction (T4)
1. Most patients need minor supportive care, but some cases will require oral steroids -
Patch testing used to determine which allergens a pt with allergic contact dermatitis reacts against
1. Not all patients with ACD need patch testing - Latex allergy: may present as a delayed OR immediate hypersensitivity
What is ICD?
-
Irritant contact dermatitis: inflammatory rxn in the skin from exposure to substance that can cause an eruption in most people who come in contact with it
1. Non-immunologic, so NO previous exposure is necessary - May occur from a single application with severely toxic substances, however, most commonly results from repeated application from mildly irritating substances (e.g., soaps, detergents)
What are the influencing factors in ICD?
-
Multifactorial disease where both exogenous (irritant and environmental) and endogenous (host) elements play a role
1. Most important exogenous factor is the inherent toxicity of the chemical for human skin - Site differences in barrier function make face, neck, scrotum, and dorsal hands more susceptible
1. Atopic dermatitis is a major risk factor for irritant hand dermatitis bc of impaired barrier function and lower threshold for skin irritation
What are the clinical findings in ICD?
- Mild irritants produce erythema, chapped skin, dryness, fissuring after repeated exposures over time
- Pruritus can range from mild to extreme
- Pain is a common symptom when erosions and fissures are present
- Severe cases present with edema, exudate, and tenderness
- Potent irritants produce painful bullae within hours after the exposure
What do you see here?
- Examples of ICD:
1. Left -> accidental exposure to pepper spray
2. Right -> exposure to liquid bleach
How do you evaluate and treat ICD?
- Patch testing should be performed in occupational cases with suspected chronic irritant dermatitis to exclude an allergic contact dermatitis
-
Mainstay of treatment: identification and avoidance of the potential irritant
1. Topical therapy w/steroids to reduce inflam and emollients to improve barrier repair are usually recommended
How do you prevent ICD?
- Once irritant identified as causal factor, pts should be educated about irritant avoidance, incl everyday practices that may cause, contribute to ICD
- Use personal protective equipment (e.g. protective gloves should be worn for any wet work)
- Instead of soap, use less irritating substances, like emollients and soap substitutes when washing
- Care should be taken for several months after the dermatitis has healed, as skin remains vulnerable to flares of dermatitis for a prolonged period
What are the key points for ICD?
- Inflammatory rxn in skin resulting from exposure to a substance that can cause an eruption in most people who come in contact with it
- Identification and avoidance of the potential irritant is the mainstay of treatment
- Patch testing may be performed in cases with suspected chronic irritant dermatitis to exclude an allergic contact dermatitis
What is atopic dermatitis? Symptoms?
- Chronic, pruritic, inflam skin disease w/wide range of severity -> primary symptom is PRURITIS
- One of most common skin disorders in developed countries -> up to 20% of children and 1-3% of adults
- Develops in most pts before the age of five, and typically clears by adolescense (“itch that rashes”)
- “Itch-scratch” cycle can exacerbate the disease
1. Lesions begin as erythematous papules, then coalesce to form erythematous plaques that may display weeping, crusting, or scale
- Xerosis: common characteristic of all stages
- Pts experience remission & exacerbations periods
How does distribution vary by age in atopic dermatitis?
- Infants and toddlers: eczematous plaques appear on cheeks, forehead, scalp, and extensor surfaces
- Older children and adolescents: lichenified, eczematous plaques in flexural areas of the neck, elbows, wrists, and ankles
- Adults: lichenification in flexural regions and involvement of the hands, wrists, ankles, feet and face (particularly the forehead and around the eyes)
How is atopy related to AD?
- AD is considered to be part of the inflammatory (type I) hypersensitivity triad that includes allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma
- There is a history of allergic rhinitis or asthma in up to 50% of patients with AD, and in 75%, there is a family history of atopy
What is going on in these folks?
- Atopic dermatitis:
a: flexural eczema
b: flexural eczema
c: flexural lichenification
d: circumoral pallor
e: Dennie Morgan folds (infraorbital line or fold caused by edema)
What do you see here?
- Atopic dermatitis extending from the antecubital fossae to the wrists and hands
- Note the excoriations and lichenification
What is this?
Atopic dermatitis
What is this?
Atopic dermatitis
What is this?
Atopic dermatitis
What is the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis?
- Cause of AD is multifactorial and not completely understood
- Following factors are thought to play varying roles:
1. Genetics
2. Skin Barrier Dysfunction
3. Impaired Immune Response
4. Environment
- Inherited reduction or loss of the epidermal barrier protein filaggrin is a major predisposing factor
- Favors Th2-mediated immunity
What are the treatment components for atopic dermatitis?
- Avoidance of trigger factors, including irritants, relevant allergens and microbial agents
- Skin care that aims to compensate for the genetically determined impaired epidermal barrier function
- Anti-inflammatory therapy to control subclinical inflammation as well as overt flares
What agents are used to tx atopic dermatitis?
- Emollients: Petrolatum
- Topical corticosteroids: potency and structural class selection depend on clinical judgment
- Immunomodulators: topical Tacrolimus or Pimecrolimus
- Systemic corticosteroids: Prednisone in varied doses
- Phototherapy (in refractory cases)
- If infected, oral antibiotics
What are the (+)’s and (-)’s of phototherapy to tx atopic dermatitis?
-
Favorable side effect profile to systemic immuno-suppressive agents, w/potential risks of:
1. Sunburn
2. Photoaging (long-term tx)
3. Possible induction of cutaneous malignancy (w/long-term tx) - Time and effort required to travel several times a wk to a phototherapy center may be problematic for some pts, and a home UV unit may be an option for those receiving chronic tx
- Young children: may be difficult for practical reasons (e.g. lack of cooperation); some centers limit its routine use to patients ≥12 years of age
How often is atopic dermatitis complicated by infection? How can you tell?
- 90% of atopic dermatitis skin lesions are colonized with microbes, usually Staphylococcus aureus
- Presence of erosions, drainage w/yellow crusting may indicate an infection (see attached image)
What is going on here?
- Atopic dermatitis and eczema herpeticum
- Eczema herpeticum is a severe herpes simplex virus infection in an atopic patient
1. Presents w/multiple widespread monomorphic, “punched-out” discrete erosions with hemorrhagic crusting
- Severe cases may require hospitalization and IV anti-viral medications
What are the key points for atopic dermatitis?
- Clinical manifestations: chronic, pruritic, inflam skin disease with a wide range of severity
1. Distribution, morphology of skin lesions vary by age
- Large % of kids will devo asthma or allergic rhinitis
- Pathogenesis: multifactorial -> genetics, skin barrier dysfunction, impaired immune response, environment
- Treatment: includes long-term use of emollients and gentle skin care; short term tx for acute flares
1. Acute inflammation is tx with topical steroids
2. Secondary bacterial skin infections should be treated with systemic antibiotics
- Eczema herpeticum should be treated with systemic antivirals eg acyclovir
What is this? What is the clinical presentation of the disease?
- Nummular dermatitis (discoid eczema): coin-shaped lesions of acute and subacute dermatitis
- Clinical presentation: coin-shaped, well-demarcated plaques with scale and tiny vesicles
- Legs, dorsal hands, extensor surfaces
- Intensely pruritic
- Worsens during the winter, due to less humidity in the air, increasing skin dryness
What is this? How would you treat it?
- Nummular dermatitis (discoid eczema)
-
Treatment: like atopic dermatitis or any o/eczema
1. Med to high-potency topical corticosteroid ointments, topical tacrolimus or pimecrolimus, and emollients
2. # of pts will require phototherapy to clear the lesions
What are the key points for nummular dermatitis?
- Pathogenesis unknown, but may be linked to impaired skin barrier function
- More common in older individuals
- Often associated with dry skin
- Presents with round, light pink, scaly, thin, 1 to 3 cm plaques on the extremities or trunk