Skin Flashcards
The mnemonic for malignant melanoma ABCDEs
A- Asymmetry
B- Border (scalloped or notched)
C- Color (Very dark or more than 1 color seen)
D- Diameter (>6mm)
E- Evolution (change: bleeding, itchy, painful)
Skin cancer is classified as (3)
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Basal call carcinoma
- Malignant melanoma
Skin that is dry, rough, and flaky could be indicative of
Hypothyroidism
Skin that is thin may signify (2)
- Arterial insufficiency
2. Systemic steroid use
Increased moisture or profuse sweating could be indicative of (2)
- Fever
2. Hyperthyroidism
Clammy cold skin could be indicative of
- Shock
2. Low blood pressure
Decreased skin moisture could be indicative of
- Hypothyroidism
2. Dehydration
Excessive hair loss (telogen effluvium) may occur with:
- Infection
- Hormonal disorders
- Thyroid disease
- Liver disease
- Drug toxicity
- Stress induced
What can cause patchy gray hair?
Nutritional deficiencies
Severe malnutrition in African American children may cause what?
Copper-red hair color
Excessive scaliness could be indicative of
- Dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Infection
Non-melanoma skin tumors (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma) are often found in what physical exam finding of the hair?
- Alopecia
Beau’s lines (transverse depressions in the nail plate( occur after (2)
- An acute illness
2. Trauma to the nail (i.e. a manicure)
What does Paronychia look like and what is it caused by?
- Looks swollen, red, painful
2. Bacteria (staph aureus, strep pyogenes)
Describe onychomycosis
Fungal infection, yellow thickening and discoloration of the nail
- Flat lesion
- No elevation
- No depression
- Less than 1 cm
Macule
- Flat lesion
- Greater than 1cm
- Without elevation or depression
Patch
- Flat lesion
- Elevated
- Greater than 1cm
Plaque
-Elevated but solid lesion, less than 1cm
Papule
-Elevated, solid lesion greater than 1cm
Nodule
-Elevated, fluid filled lesion, less than 1 cm
Vesicle
Elevated, pus-filled lesion, usually less than 1 cm
Pustule
Elevated, fluid filled lesion, greater than 1cm
Bulla
Accurately describing the skin lesion involves:
- Primary morphology
- Size
- Demarcation
- Color
- Secondary morphology
- Distribution
Secondary morphology-
Serum
Crusty (Impetigo)
Secondary morphology- Fissure
Groove/cleft (Psoriasis)
Secondary morphology- Lichenification
Thickening of the skin (Chronic rubbing, lichen simplex chronicus)
Secondary morphology- Erosion
Partial loss of epidermis (scratching, minor skin injury)
Secondary morphology- Ulceration
Pressure ulcer
Secondary morphology- Scaling
Psoriasis, Ichthyosis
Distribution: Extensor
Psoriasis
Distribution: Generalized
Viral, drug reaction
Distribution: Photodistributive
Lupus, dermatomyositis
Mole (Nevi) exam:
- How many moles are there? (remove jewlery)
- How are they distributed?
(Take 1 and 2 for the physical exam, head down to toes)
Run your fingers over it
A normal mole is
Symmetric
Less than 6cm
Rashes related to a new drug usually stary
7-14 days after exposure. It can take 1-2 weeks after stopping for it to go away.
A rash involving the extensor surfaces?
Think _____. A rash involving the
extensor surfaces? Think ______.
Psoriasis.
Atopic dermatitis.
Classic presentation for Psoriasis.
Auspitz sign (pinpoint bleeding when scale is scraped).
Causes of generalized itching, without
apparent
rash, include dry skin; pregnancy; uremia; jaundice; lymphomas and leukemia; drug reactions; and, less commonly, polycythemia vera and thyroid disease.
