Pathology of the skin

Question 1

DERMATITIS

Answer 1

An allergic inflammation of the skin characterised by erythema – redness of the skin, itching and various skin lesions.

Commonly known as contact dermatitis.

Not contagious.

Question 2

Eczema

Answer 2

Found all over the body but most often on the inside of the knee (in the popliteal space) and elbow joints, on the face, hands and scalp.

The skin becomes extremely dry and itchy causing great discomfort.

Skin has scaly dry patches with bleeding at points.

Not contagious

Question 3

Psoriasis

Answer 3

Chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by red patches covered with silvery scales that are constantly shed.

Size of scales vary from minute spots to quite large sheets of skin.

Points of bleeding may occur beneath scales.

Not infectious.

Question 4

Acne rosacea

Answer 4

Gives a flushed, reddened appearance.

Occurs on the face, this condition can be aggravated by anything causing vasodilation – heat, sunshine, spicy food, alcohol, cold.

Affects both men and women especially menopausal women.

Not related to acne vulgaris.

Not contagious.

Question 5

Acne vulgaris

Answer 5

The skin has a shiny, sallow appearance with papules, pustules and comedones.

It is prone to open pores. where pustules have cleared there is often pitting and scarring.

The main sites for infection are the face, back, chest and shoulders. Not contagious.

Question 6

Folliculitis

Answer 6

Bacterial infection of the pilosebaceous duct (sebaceous gland and hair follicle) causing inflammation.

Common in adolescence. possible link with acne vulgaris.

Question 7

Boils

Answer 7

A bacterial infection of the skin, causing inflammation around a hair follicle.

Question 8

Impetigo

Answer 8

A bacterial infection causing thin-roofed blisters which weep and leave a thick, yellow crust. highly contagious.

Question 9

Warts

Answer 9

A small horny tumour found on the skin, often on fingers and thumbs. caused by viral infection.

Highly contagious.

Question 10

Verrucas

Answer 10

Warts found on the feet.

Highly contagious.

Question 11

Herpes simplex

Answer 11

A viral infection commonly known as cold sores; not confined to the mouth, can spread over the face and other parts of the body.

Appears as small blisters which if left alone will dry up leaving a crust which falls off.

Highly contagious when active.

Question 12

Herpes zoster

Answer 12

A viral infection commonly known as shingles. adult form of chicken pox.

Usually affects spinal nerves and one side of the thorax.

Highly contagious.

Question 13

Tinea corporis, pedis

Answer 13

Infections which attach themselves to keratinised structures like the skin.

Tinea corporis is commonly known as ringworm and can be found anywhere on the body.

Tinea pedis is commonly known as athlete’s foot.

Highly infectious.

Question 14

Scabies

Answer 14

A contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite; characterized by persistent itching and skin irritation

Question 15

Pediculosis

Answer 15

The infestation with lice resulting in severe itching. This can occur on the head (capitis), body (corporis) and pubic (pubis) areas.

Question 16

Albinism

Answer 16

Complete lack of melanocytes resulting in lack of pigmentation in skin, hair and eyes.

Question 17

Ephelides

Answer 17

Freckles; small pigmented areas of skin which become more evident on exposure to sunlight and are found in greatest abundance on the face, arms and legs; fair-skinned individuals suffer most from the condition.

Question 18

Lentigo

Answer 18

Also known as liver spots.

Dark patches of pigmentation which appear more distinct than freckles and have a slightly raised appearance and more scattered distribution.

Question 19

Chloasma

Answer 19

Butterfly mask often caused by pregnancy and the contraceptive pill; a hyper pigmentation condition involving the upper cheeks, nose and occasionally forehead.

Discolouration usually disappears spontaneously at the end of pregnancy.

Question 20

Moles (papilloma):

Answer 20

A common occurrence on the face and body and present in several different forms, varying in size, colour and vascular appearance.

Flat moles are called sessile whilst those raised above the surface, or attached by a stalk are pedunculated.

Question 21

Naevae

Answer 21

Birth mark. Pigmentation varies from light brown to black.

Strawberry naevae (pink or red birth marks) often affect babies, eventually disappearing after a few years.

Question 22

Vitiligo

Answer 22

A complete loss of colour in well-defined areas of the face and limbs. A form of leucoderma (an abnormal whiteness of the skin due to absence of pigmentation); begins in patches but may converge to form fairly large areas; most obvious in darker skins.

Question 23

Port wine stain

Answer 23

A large area of dilated capillaries causing a pink to dark red skin colour which makes it contrast vividly with the surrounding skin.

The stain is commonly found on the face.

Question 24

Broken capillaries

Answer 24

Dilated capillaries on a fine skin texture often affecting large areas of the face.

The skin responds fiercely to stimulation and permanent dilated vessels are apparent, particularly on the upper cheeks and nose.

Question 25

Crow’s feet

Answer 25

Fine lines around the eyes caused by habitual expressions and daily movement, associated with ageing of muscle tissue.

Question 26

Allergic reaction

Answer 26

When irritated, the body produces histamine in the skin.

This can cause red, blotchy patches on skin, watery, stinging eyes, swellings and runny nose.

Can be slight or intense, depending on each body’s reaction.

Question 27

Comedones

Answer 27

Commonly known as blackheads, these are caused by a build-up of sebaceous secretions which have become trapped in the hair follicles and have subsequently dried out and hardened.

The colour comes from oxidation.

Common in puberty

Question 28

Milia

Answer 28

Commonly present as tiny white bumps or whiteheads, these form when sebum becomes trapped in a blind duct with no surface opening.

Question 29

Basal cell carcinoma

Answer 29

Occurs on exposed parts of the skin, especially face, nose, eyelid, cheek.

Question 30

Squamous cell carcinoma

Answer 30

Squamous cells are those found on the surface of the body, on the top layer of the skin.
Squamous cell carcinoma is said to be caused by sunlight, chemicals or physical irritants.

It starts very small but grows rapidly, becoming raised.

Question 31

Malignant melanoma

Answer 31

A malignant tumour of melanocytes. it usually develops in a previously benign mole.

The mole has become larger and darker, ulcerated and the tumour eventually spreads.

Question 32

A spider angioma or spider naevus

Answer 32

This is a type of telangiectasis found slightly beneath the skin surface, often containing a central red spot and reddish extensions which radiate outwards like a spider’s web.

Question 33

Urticaria

Answer 33

Hives, nettle rash: often an allergic reaction.

Characterised by weals or welts of pinkish colour.

Very itchy.

Question 34

Bromidrosis/osmoidrosis
(Sudoriferous gland disorder)

Answer 34

Bromhidrosis, also known as osmidrosis or ozochrotia, is an unpleasant or offensive body odour due to any cause including poor hygiene, infections, diet or medications, or inherited metabolic disorders.

Question 35

Anhidrosis
(Sudoriferous gland disorder)

Answer 35

The reduction or inability to sweat.

Question 36

Hyperhidrosis
(Sudoriferous gland disorder)

Answer 36

Abnormally increased sweating.