(PM3A) Skin & Skin Diseases Flashcards
How does skin permeability vary between body sites?
Different between body sites
Palms not very permeable
Eyelids very permeable
Does skin permeability vary?
Yes
How much can skin permeability vary on the same body site between patients ?
Up to 40%
Between what groups is there no difference in skin permeability?
(Based solely on the difference of group, not individual variation)
(1) Racial skin types
(2) Gender/ sex
(3) Ageing
In which ethnicity is melanoma skin cancer most and least prevalent?
Most = White/ Caucasian
Least = Black
Is melanoma skin cancer more common in men or women in the UK?
Women
But same incidence in Asians
What are the different skin type classifications?
(1) Normal
(2) Dry
(3) Oily
(4) Combination
How is a skin type of a ‘combination’ classified?
Oily in T-zone
Dry/ normal elsewhere
How is dermatology/ skin type most commonly classified?
Fitzpatrick skin scale
What is the Fitzpatrick skin scale?
A classification scale for dermatology/ skin type
What is the Fitzpatrick skin scale based on?
Skin response to UV therapy for psoriasis
What is the significance of psoriasis in the Fitzpatrick skin scale?
The scale is based on skin response to UV therapy for psoriasis
How many types of skin are there in the Fitzpatrick skin scale?
6
What are the different skin classifications in the Fitzpatrick skin scale?
(1) Ivory
(2) Beige
(3) Light Brown
(4) Medium Brown
(5) Dark Brown
(6) Very Dark Brown
How is ivory skin characterised?
Pale skin + light/ red hair
Prone to freckles
Burns easily + rarely tans
How is beige skin characterised?
Fair skin + likely to have light hair
Blue OR brown eyes
Usually burns but gradually tan
How is light brown skin characterised?
Light olive skin + dark hair
Brown OR green eyes
Burns with long exposure to sun
Tans quite easily
How is medium brown skin characterised?
Brown eyes + dark hair
Burns only with excessive exposure
Always tans easily
How is dark brown skin characterised?
Naturally brown skin
Brown eyes + dark hair
Burns only with excessive exposure
Skin further darkens when exposed to sun
How is very dark brown skin characterised?
Black skin + dark brown eyes
Black hair
Burns only with extreme sun exposure
Skin very easily darkens further
Describe the sun protection of ivory skin.
Greatest risk of developing skin cancer
Needs to protect skin
Best protection from clothing
Describe the sun protection of beige skin.
Greatest risk of developing skin cancer
Needs to protect skin
Best protection from clothing
Describe the sun protection of light brown skin.
Should use protection in strong sunshine
Describe the sun protection of medium brown skin.
Should use protection in strong sunshine
Describe the sun protection of dark brown skin.
Should use protection for long outside exposure
Describe the sun protection of very dark brown skin.
Should use protection for long outside exposure
Does a product being natural deem it safe?
No
e.g. botulism toxin (Botox)
Can natural products be patented?
Yes
But not usually
What is a benefit of a therapeutically ineffective natural remedy?
Placebo effect
Despite most often being used for bruising (amongst other things), what has been observed to be a benefit of arnica?
Mental/ emotional symptoms
Forgetfulness/ memory loss
Severe headaches
What is arnica applied topically for?
(1) Bruising
(2) Arthritis
(3) Oedema - due to fracture
(4) Inflammation - e.g. insect bites
What is Arnica flos?
The flower of the herb Arnica montana
How many phytochemicals have been identified in Arnica flos?
More than 150
What is a phytochemical?
Any biologically active compound found in plants
What are the main active constituents of arnica?
Sesquiterpene lactones
Other esters
What is sesquiterpene lactones?
Some of the main active constituents of arnica
What do sesquiterpene lactones do?
Affect inflammatory processes
Inhibit NF-kappaB + NF-AT
How do sesquiterpene lactones affect inflammatory processes?
Inhibit
NF-kappaB
NF-AT
What is NF-kappaB?
A transcription factor affecting inflammatory responses
Inhibited by sesquiterpene lactones
Influence the release of cytokines
What is NF-AT?
A transcription factor affecting inflammatory responses
Inhibited by sesquiterpene lactones
influence the release of cytokines
Define moiety.
A part of a molecule
Which compounds of sesquiterpene lactones exhibit stronger activity?
Unsaturated acetyl moieties
Which compounds of sesquiterpene lactones exhibit weaker activity?
Acetate derivatives
What is the significance of unsaturated acetyl moieties of sesquiterpene lactones in arnica?
Exhibit increased activity
What is the significance of acetate derivative moieties of sesquiterpene lactones in arnica?
Exhibit decreased activity
What is/ are the main permeant(s) of Arnica flos?
(1) 11-alpha, 13-dihydrohelenalin methacrylates ester
(2) 11-alpha, 13-dihydrohelenalin tiglinate esters
How many main permeants of Arnica flos are there in humans?
Two
What effect does nicotinic acid have on the skin?
Produces reddening of the skin
Increases vasodilation
What effect does 0.1% betamethasone have on skin?
Blanching effect
Increase vasoconstriction
Do 0.1% betamethasone and nicotinic acid have the same effect on the skin?
No
Nicotinic acid causes vasoDILATION
0.1% betamethasone causes vasoCONSTRICTION
Describe the effect of nicotinic acid, in terms of concentration.
Concentration dependent
When is vasodilation observed following treatment with arnica?
3 hours after application
What effect does arnica have on blood vessels?
(vasodilation/ vasoconstriction)
Vasodilation
What thoughts to consider does the effect of arnica on blood vessels raise, for the indication of bruising?
Causes vasodilation
Counter-intuitive, vasodilation would be expected for treatment of indication
How many of the phytochemicals in arnica have been observed to elicit a therapeutic effecft?
2/150
What should be considered when advising a patient on the use of a natural product?
(1) Will it cause harm? e.g. skin reaction
(2) Will it cause an interaction?
(3) Will it prevent patient’s use of evidence-based therapy?
How many different skin disorders affect adults and children?
69
How many people, on average, suffer from a skin disorder?
1 in 3
What are some of the most common skin disorders?
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- Cancers
- Fungal infections
Name some important cancers of the skin.
(1) Basal cell carcinoma (rodent ulcer)
(2) Squamous cell carcinoma
(3) Malignant melanoma
What is the most common form of skin cancer?
Basal cell carcinoma (rodent ulcer)
What is another name for basal cell carcinoma?
Rodent ulcer
What is a rodent ulcer?
Basal cell carcinoma
Describe the malignancy of basal cell carcinoma.
Least malignant skin cancer
What percentage of Caucasians are expected to get basal cell carcinoma in their lifetime?
> 30%
In what skin types is basal cell carcinoma most common?
(1) 1 - Ivory
(2) 2 - Beige
In what skin types is basal cell carcinoma least common?
(1) 4 - Medium brown skin
(2) 5 - Dark brown skin
(Does not occur in very dark brown skin)
Where does basal cell carcinoma (rodent ulcer) most commonly present?
The face
(Rarely the ears)
Describe the appearance of a rodent ulcer (basal cell carcinoma).
Shiny
Dome-shaped nodules
Later, develop central ulcer
What is telangiectasia?
Small visible blood vessels
What is the name given to small visible blood vessels?
Telangiectasia
How fast do basal cell carcinomas grow?
Relatively slow growing
What is the treatment for basal cell carcinoma (rodent ulcers)?
Surgical excision
What is the percentage of successful treatment of basal cell carcinoma?
> 99%
When is radiotherapy used for basal cell carcinoma (rodent ulcers)?
For large superficial forms
When is cryotherapy used for basal cell carcinoma (rodent ulcers)?
For very superficial forms
What is the treatment for large superficial forms of basal cell carcinoma (rodent ulcers)?
Radiotherapy
What is the treatment for very large superficial forms of basal cell carcinoma (rodent ulcers)?
Cryotherapy
What drugs can be prescribed for basal cell carcinoma (rodent ulcers)?
(1) Fluorouracil
(2) Imiquimod
What is squamous cell carcinoma?
A type of skin cancer
Where does squamous cell carcinoma arise?
From keratinocytes
In stratified squamous epithelium
Describe the appearance of squamous cell carcinoma.
Lesions
Red + scaly papules
Can ulcerate + bleed
Where does squamous cell carcinoma most often present?
On the head
- Scalp/ ears/ lower lip
Also hands + legs
Describe the growth of squamous cell carcinoma.
Rapid growth
Metastasises if not removed
What effect can immunosuppression have on squamous cell carcinoma.
Can allow growth of multiple tumours
What is the most common form of skin cancer on black skin?
Squamous cell carcinoma
What is the treatment for squamous cell carcinoma?
(1) Surgical excision
(2) Radiation therapy
Must be caught early
What is essential when treating squamous cell carcinoma?
Must be caught early
What is malignant melanoma?
Most dangerous type of skin cancer
What is the most dangerous form of skin cancer?
Malignant melanoma
Which type of skin cancer can occur in the eye?
Malignant melanoma
Where can malignant melanoma present, that other skin cancers cannot?
Eye
What percentage of all skin cancers does malignant melanoma account for?
Approximately 5%
What are the most important risk factors for development of malignant melanoma?
(1) History of childhood sun exposure
(2) Positive family history
Which type of skin cancer is most resistant to chemotherapy?
Malignant melanoma
In which type of cell does malignant melanoma occur?
Melanocytes
(Wherever there is pigment)
What percentage of malignant melanoma comes from pre-existing moles?
Approximately 30%
What is the estimated 5 year survival rate for black patients with malignant melanoma?
70%
What is the estimated 5 years survival rate for white patients with malignant melanoma?
94%
Where does malignant melanoma most commonly present in black, asian, and native Hawaiian patients?
Non-exposed skin with less pigment
e.g. soles, palms, mucous membranes, nail regions
What is the most common site of malignant melanoma in non-white patients?
Plantar portion of the foot
30-40% of all cases
In which patient groups are late-stage melanomas more prevalent?
(1) Hispanic
(2) Black
What is the treatment of malignant melanoma?
Urgent + wide surgical excision + chemotherapy
Consider immunotherapy (IL-2)
What is the significance of a malignant melanoma lesion that is >4mm thick?
Chance of survival is poor
What is the advice given by pharmacists and healthcare professionals for prevention of development of skin cancer?
(1) Avoid sun exposure from 11am-3pm
(2) Wear a sun hat
(3) Application of a high protection suncream
(4) Reapply suncream regularly
What is the percentage increased risk of development of squamous cell carcinoma for those who have used tanning beds?
83%
What is the method used to recognise melanoma?
ABCD(E)
What does ABCD(E) stand for?
A = Asymmetry
B = Border irregularity - edges are ragged
C = Colour - pigmentation not uniform
D = Diameter - >6mm
(E) = Evolution + Elevation - mole changing size/ shape/ colour rapidly
In which country is ABCD(E) used to diagnose melanoma?
USA
In which country is the Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma used?
UK
What is the standardised method of melanoma diagnosis in the UK?
Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma
What are the subtypes of the Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma?
(1) Major criteria
(2) Minor criteria
How many major criteria are there in the Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma?
3
How many minor criteria are there in the Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma?
4
What are the major criteria in the Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma?
(1) Change in size
(2) Change in shape
(3) Change in colour
What are the minor criteria in the Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma?
(1) Diameter >6mm
(2) Inflammation
(3) Oozing/ bleeding
(4) Mild itch/ altered sensation
Is ‘change in size’ a minor or major criteria in Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma?
Major
Is ‘change in shape’ a minor or major criteria in the Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma?
Major
Is ‘change in colour’ a minor or major criteria in the Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma?
Major
Is a diameter of >6mm a major or minor criteria in the Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma?
Minor
Is inflammation a major or minor criteria in the Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma?
Minor
Is oozing a major or minor criteria in the Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma?
Minor
Is bleeding a major or minor criteria in the Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma?
Minor
Is a mild itch a major or minor criteria in the Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma?
Minor
Is altered sensation a major or minor criteria in the Glasgow 7-point checklist of melanoma?
Minor
What is the role of a community pharmacist in skin cancers?
Recognition of suspicious lesions/ moles etc
What is a dermatophyte?
A pathogenic fungus that grows on skin
What is candidiasis?
A pathogenic fungus
Thrush
How are fungal organisms identified in suspected fungal infections?
Microscopy
Culture of skin/ hair/ nail samples
How are fungal infections spread between infected humans?
Direct contact
Define tinea.
Medical term for ringworm
Used to describe skin mycoses
How are superficial dermatophyte infections named?
According to body site affected
What is Tinea capitis?
Ringworm on the scalp
What is Tinea corporis?
Ringworm on the body
What is Tinea cruris?
Ringworm on the groin
What is Tinea pedis?
Ringworm on the feet
What is ringworm of the scalp called?
Tinea capitis
What is ringworm of the body called?
Tinea corporis
What is ringworm of the groin called?
Tinea cruris
What is ringworm of the feet called?
Tinea pedis
In which patient group is Tinea capitis most common?
Children
What causes Tinea capitis?
(1) Microsporum
(2) Trichophyton