Skin Flashcards
Skin
Largest organ in the body
two layes
Epidermis
mostly dead cells; protective covering
Dermis
small blood vessels, nerve endings, oil and sweat glands, and hair follicles. Dermis also contains collagen and elastic tissue to keep the skin firm and strong.
Function of skin
Protection against injury (mechanical, UV light), microbes, fluid loss.
Thermal regulation
Sensation: navigate environment safely
some disorders cause you to lose touch in hands and feet
Endocrine
production of Cholecalciferol (D3) in the two lowermost layers of the epidermis.
birthmark
skin marking that is present at birth.
Each Birthmark has its own appearance
Congenital moles (nevi).
can grow anywhere on the body. They vary in size and shape. Most are brown.
Café-au-lait spots
Most café-au-lait spots are smooth, oval birthmarks. They range in color from light brown to chocolate brown and usually are found on the torso, buttocks, and legs.
Mongolian spots
Mongolian spots are smooth, blue or blue-gray birthmarks. They are often uneven in shape and are on the lower back and buttocks.
anyone darker skinned
Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas are raised birthmarks. May be blue, red, or purple.
Clumps of blood vessels that did not grow normally.
Superficial or deep. Variety of sizes & shapes
Port-wine stains
Birthmarks that are pink-red at birth and then become a darker red-purple.
Blood vessels that did not grow normally.
Cover small or large areas.
Albinism
Congenital genetic abnormality of melanin synthesis in which the amount of melanin made by the melanocyte is reduced or absent
*Always includes specific abnormalities of the eye
visual problems
what body system would you assess?? Eye system
Common Ocular Features
of Albinism
Reduction in iris & retinal pigment Iris translucency Foveal hypoplasia: under developed Misrouting of optic nerves at chiasm Nystagmus Alternating strabismus: cross eyed
Albinism Prevention
Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun
Use sunscreen-high SPF rating (>20)
Cover up completely, wear sunglasses w/UV protection.
If visual deficits-glasses; regular follow-up exams with anophthalmologist.
Routine skin cancer screening
Acne Vulgaris
is a common skin disease that affects 85-100% of people at some time during their lives.
characterized by non-inflammatory pustules or comedones, and by inflammatory pustules, and nodules in its more severe forms.
Areas affected (acne vulgaris)
the areas of skin with the densest population of sebaceous follicles; these areas include the face, the upper part of the chest, and the back.
treatment(Acne Vulgaris)
is a regimine of topical creams, and oral antibiotics, and or steroids.
Acne S/S
Etiology: metabolic condition, allergies, various drugs or endocrine disorders are possible causative agents
Signs and symptoms: inflammation of hair follicles/sebaceous glands especially on face, neck, chest, upper back/shoulders; can form blackheads, cysts, nodules, pustules, and pimples
Psoriasis
can appear anywhere on the body, but it is most commonly found on the *elbows, *knees, *scalp, and *lower back.
Skin typically becomes red and inflamed and may form white scaly patches.
It can be quite painful and may itch, crack, and bleed.
While psoriasis may look like just a skin disease, it is in fact a disease of the **immune system.
Psoriasis (treatment)
Psoriasis
Diagnostic tests: visual examination, patient history
Treatment: supportive, skin applications to deal with symptoms; medications: steroids, ultraviolet light
Tinea
Fungus
Tinea barbae
barber’s itch, affects face
Tinea capitis
affects scalp
Tinea corporis
ringworm, affects body
Tinea cruris
jock itch, affects groin
Tinea pedis
athlete’s foot, affects feet
Contagious fungal infection
usually contracted in public baths and showers; swimming pools nail salons, sharing socks
Rx- antifungal agents
Tinea unguium
affects nails
DERMATITIS
Non-specific inflammation of skin
Can be rash – reaction to soap, plants, etc.
Can be emotional – stress can cause skin blotches
Urticaria
hives: red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes
They range in size from a few millimeters to several inches in diameter.
Hives can be round, or they can form rings or large patches.
Wheals (welts), red lesions with a red “flare” at the borders, are another manifestation of hives.
Hives can occur anywhere on the body, such as the trunk, arms, and legs.
Vitiligo
is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. As a result, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body.
impetigo
skin infection; contagious
causes one or more “sores” on the skin that are often covered by a thick dry honey-colored crust. The sores don’t hurt, but may be tender if touched. They may also be itchy.
Any skin area can be affected, but sores are usually on arms or legs, the face (mainly around the mouth, nose, or ears), and sometimes on the scalp. Anyone can get impetigo, but it most often occurs in children 2 to 6 years old.
common during summer and fall but can occur anytime
Boils
to as a skin abscess, is a localized infection deep in the skin.
cure: lance it(drain)
Carbuncles
skin abscess, a collection of pus that forms inside the body.
Antibiotics are often not very helpful in treating abscesses.
The main treatments include hot packs and draining (“lancing”) the abscess, but only when it is soft and ready to drain.
Cellulitis
Etiology: bacteria infection of subcutaneous skin (streptococcus and staphylococcus)
Signs and symptoms: inflammation of skin and subcutaneous tissue, red and swollen, painful
Diagnostic tests: visual examination, site culture
Treatment: antibiotics (oral or intravenously, dependant on the severity)
Warts
local growths in the skin that are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
they are considered to be contagious, it is very common for just one family member to have them.
often affect just one part of the body (such as the hands or the feet) without spreading over time to other areas.
Lice
Tiny insect parasites that live on scalp/skin
Lice infestation is called pediculosis
Lice spread by direct contact with infested person or infested objects (hair brushes, etc).
Scabies
Tiny mite that burrows into skin to lay eggs
Transmitted via direct contact with infected individual
Mites typically lodge in folds of skin (wrist, underarms, groin, under breasts, etc)
Symptoms: intense itching, vesicles, and pustules
Treatment: lotion; wash clothes, 24 hours of treatment
can be passed through sexual contact
Herpes
Lifelong viral infection that produces clusters of small fluid-filled sacs (vesicles/blisters)
Signs and symptoms usually come and go; stress and other diseases can temporarily decrease immunity, and lead to symptom flare
Herpes simplex type 1
Causes “cold sores” or “fever blisters” around mouth or nose
Commonly develops after common cold or fever
Herpes zoster
Also known as shingles
Develops when dormant chickenpox virus re-activates
Causes extremely painful blisters/rashes that follow course of a sensory nerve
Symptoms develop when stress, disease, trauma, or aging prevent immune system from keeping virus in check
Burns
are categorized by severity as first, second, or third degree.
First degree burns are similar to a painful sunburn, causing redness and swelling to the tissues.
The damage is more severe with second degree burns, leading to blistering and more intense pain. Damage is found in deeper tissues.
The skin turns white and loses sensation with third degree burns. The entire depth of tissue is affected. Scarring is permanent, and depending on the extent of the burning, may be fatal.
Burn treatment depends upon the location, total burn area, and intensity of the burn.
blackened tissue: ???
Burns
are categorized by severity as first, second, or third degree.
First degree burns are similar to a painful sunburn, causing redness and swelling to the tissues.
The damage is more severe with second degree burns, leading to blistering and more intense pain. Damage is found in deeper tissues.
The skin turns white and loses sensation with third degree burns. The entire depth of tissue is affected. Scarring is permanent, and depending on the extent of the burning, may be fatal.
Burn treatment depends upon the location, total burn area, and intensity of the burn.
blackened tissue: ???s-car
Skin Grafting
In its most basic sense, skin grafting is the transplanting of skin and, occasionally, other underlying tissue types to another location of the body.
When to See a Doctor
in general with skin
Signs of inflammation (redness, heat, swelling, pain and fever).
Signs of infection (pus, fever, swelling and pain).
Allergic reaction (itching, redness, hives or skin rash, and heat).
Abnormal skin moles (irregular shape, large, painful or itching).
New nodules, lumps or skin discoloration
Skin cancer
cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.
Basal cell carcinoma
is the most common form of skin cancer; about one million of the cases diagnosed annually are basal cell carcinomas. basal cell carcinomas are rarely fatal, but can be highly disfiguring
Squamous cell carcinoma
is the second most common form of skin cancer. More than 250,000 cases are diagnosed each year, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths.
