Skin

Question 1

What are the two main layers of the skin (7)

Answer 1

1. epidermis - protection
2. dermis - regulation, strength, elasticity.

Question 2

What are the functions of the skin (7)

Answer 2

1. It protects the tissues beneath it from injury
2. It prevents dehydration
3. It protects against infection
4. It protects the body from harmful effects of the sun as well as radiation
5. It produces vitamin D from exposure to sunlight
6. It provides a waterproof barrier that protects from harmful chemicals and infection
7. It helps to control body temperature through the production of sweat, dilation of blood vessels and presence of hair follicles

Question 3

What questions do you ask about the skin (6)

Answer 3

1. WWHAM
2. what did the area look like to begin with
3. does it spread
4. getting better or worse
5. what may be causing it
6. itchy or sore

Question 4

When do you refer skin conditions to the pharmacist (10)

Answer 4

1. If treatment is not working or is making the skin worse
2. If hair is falling out in scalp conditions
3. If the skin is broken, bleeding or crusted
4. In acne – if the case is severe, including infected spots, scarring, or has spread to the neck and back
5. In acne – if it has appeared for the first time in someone other than a teenager
6. If a customer has a lot of warts or growing warts, or they are bleeding
7. If they have diabetes and warts
8. If the skin is infected, oozing pus, or covers a large area and is spreading in those that have eczema
9. If you are unsure of their symptoms
10. Warts on or around the anal/genital regions

Question 5

What are scalp issues (4)

Answer 5

1. Head lice
2. Dandruff
3. Hair loss (Alopecia)
4. Psoriasis

Question 6

What is dandruff (2)

Answer 6

1. It causes the scalp to become dry and itchy, which can lead to the skin of the scalp flaking off.
2. The causes of dandruff are not really understood, but it is thought that some of the possible causes are dry skin or an overgrowth of fungus.

Question 7

What are the treatments for mild dandruff (7)

Answer 7

1. shampoos
2. selenium sulphide(sulfide).
3. salicylic acid
4. coal tar
5. zinc pyrithione
6. Coal tar reduces skin flaking.
7. Selenium and coal tar do not smell very pleasant and both can cause irritation in some people.

Question 8

What is psoriasis (3)

Answer 8

1. causes thickened patches of red, inflamed skin, often covered by silvery scales.
2. It tends to be patchier than dandruff, and more difficult to treat
3. if a customer that has used dandruff treatments that have not worked, you should refer them to your pharmacist.

Question 9

What is used to treat psoriasis (5)

Answer 9

1. shampoos
2. Coal tar
3. salicylic acid
4. Ketoconazoleshampoo is available OTC and is used for prevention as well as treatment of dandruff and another flaky scalp condition called seborrhoeic dermatitis.
5. The shampoos should be used as per the instructions on the product packaging as this may differ for different shampoos.

Question 10

What is used to treat hair loss (alopecia) (5)

Answer 10

1. OTC withminoxidil.
2. There are two strengths available: the 2% solution and the stronger 5% solution and foam.
3. Minoxidilneeds at least two months of continuous use before any effect is seen
4. any new hair that does regrow could disappear after three to four months of stopping treatment.
5. Hair loss can be caused by a number of factors, so anyone asking for advice about it for the first time should be referred to the pharmacist.

Question 11

What is head lice (2)

Answer 11

1. The most common cause of itchy scalp in people, especially children.
2. Lice, but most commonly their white egg cases – called nits – can be seen in the hair of an infected person.

Question 12

What treatment is there for headlice (2)

Answer 12

1. physicicalinsecticidethat will kill the lice
2. and combing with a fine tooth comb to remove any of the dead lice and eggs afterwards.

Question 13

What are facial skin problems (2)

Answer 13

1. Acne
2. Cold sores

Question 14

What is acne (3)

Answer 14

1. Acne is a very common problem, especially in teenagers and young adults, who may be particularly sensitive about their appearance.
2. Acnes varies in severity and can cause scarring.
3. Acne normally starts at the same time as puberty, with boys tending to suffer more severely affected than girls.
4. Since puberty starts a little earlier in girls than it does in boys, girls can start to develop acne earlier.
5. Most cases of acne will have cleared up by the time the person reaches 30 years of age.

Question 15

What are causes of acne (4)

Answer 15

1. Hormonal changes
2. Increased sebum, skin cells and hair follicles blocking pores
3. Medicines (e.g. contraception)
4. Menstrual cycle

Question 16

What are treatments for acne (3)

Answer 16

1. Benzyol peroxide gel/face wash 5%
2. Salicylic acid
3. Nicotinamide (Freederm gel) - anti-inflammatory

Question 17

What is the issue with Benzyol peroxide (5)

Answer 17

1. make the skin red and sore
2. to reduce irritation treatment may be started with alternate-day or short-contact application (eg washing off after an hour) and progressed to standard application if tolerated.
3. It can also make the face more sensitive to sunlight, so customers should avoid too much sun or wear suncream.
4. It is advised that customers using such products should regularly apply an oil-free and fragrance-free moisturiser to maintain skin hydration.
5. People with sensitive skin may find benzoyl peroxide too irritating for them.

Question 18

What cautions are there for acne (3)

Answer 18

1. Avoid oily makeup
2. Benzyol can bleach cloths and increase light sensitivity
3. avoid sqeezing and picking to prevent spread and scarring

Question 19

What should we encourage for acne (2)

Answer 19

1. regularly wash long hair
2. avoid covering acne prone areas

Question 20

What are cold sores (4)

Answer 20

1. Cold sores normally form on the edge of the lip and mouth, but can appear anywhere on the face
2. and are caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus.
3. Cold sores usually start with a tingling or burning sensation as the first sign, then blistering before finally crusting over.
4. The blister still contains the virus, so until the blisters have disappeared or crusted over, sufferers should avoid direct skin contact with other people.

Question 21

How can you treat cold sores (3)

Answer 21

1. Cold sores can sometimes be prevented, or cleared up faster, if the person affected starts using an antiviral.
2. A cream at the first signs of a cold sore appearing will prevent the growth of the virus and subsequently reduce the size of the blisters.
3. Aciclovir is an antiviral cream available OTC.