Skin Flashcards
What causes chicken pox?
Varicella Zoster virus
What are signs and symptoms of chicken pox?
Red spots - fluid filled and blister
Temp >37.5
Generally unwell
What age does chicken pox affect?
Mainly children
What is the treatment for chickenpox?
Rest
Hydrate
Soothing creams
How infectious is chickenpox?
Infectious for 2 days pre spots and until crusted over (about 5 days)
What is cause of scarlet fever?
Group A streptococcus - bacterial
Remember ScArlEtt - group A strEp
What are symptoms of scarlet fever?
Pyrexia
Flu-like
Strawberry Tongue
Rash - like sandpaper
What age range is affected in scarlet fever?
5-15 years old is most common
What is treatment of scarlet fever?
Antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin
What is a complication of scarlet fever?
Rheumatic fever
What is cause of impetigo?
Group A streptococcus OR staphylococcus auereus
What are symptoms of impetigo?
Red itchy leaking sores
Any skin but mainly affects exposed areas like arms and legs
Common in summer when humid
What age range is affected by impetigo?
2-5 y.o
What is treatment for impetigo?
Topical and oral antibiotics
What is atopic dermatitis also known as?
Eczema
What is cause of atopic dermatitis?
Unknown. Thought to be linked to genetics/environment
What is symptoms of eczema?
Itchy dry sensitive skin
Inflamed or discoloured
What age can be effected by eczema?
Any age
What is treatment for eczema?
No cure
Topical creams
Phototherapy
Immunosuppresants
What is cause of Kawasaki disesse?
unknown but likely a bacterial trigger
What are symptoms of Kawasaki disease?
Pyrexia > 5 days
Rash
Swollen LN
Red eyes, cracked lips
What are phases of Kawasaki disease?
Acute 1-2 weeks
Subacute 3-4
Convalescent 4-6
What ages are effected by Kawasaki disease?
<5 y.o
<1 y.o = more serious
How many children are affected each year by Kawasaki disease?
8 in 100,000 children
What is treatment for Kawasaki disease?
Hospital admission for IViG
What is complication of Kawasaki disease?
Vasculitis - can get coronary aneurysms - about 25% of people get cardiac complications. If untreated then 2-3% can be fatal
When is skin developed in utero?
Nearly complete in 4th month of gestation
In 5th and 6th onto covered in mango (downy hair)
Shed in 7th month
What are main layers of skin?
Epidermis
Dermis
Hypodermis
What is function of dermis?
Provide epidermis with nutrients and support
What is dermis predominantly made of?
Collagen, fibrous protein and elastin.
Also have fibroblasts, mast cells and macrophages
Contains hair follicles, blood vessels, nerves, lymph vessels, sebaceous glands and smooth muscle
What is function of epidermis?
physical and chemical barrier to external environment
How does epidermis get nutrition?
No direct blood supply
Get nutrition and o2 through diffusion from dermis.
How thick is epidermis?
Newborn: 40-50mm thick
Premature 20-25mm thick
Grows with age - thicker in some places (eg feet), thinner in eyelids
What is epidermis made from?
Keratinised stratified squamous epithelium,
When describing a rash - what are papule and nodules?
Bumps on skin - paupers small, nodules bigger - normally no bigger than 1cm
e..g papule - molluscum contagiosum.
What words can be used to describe a rash?
Papules Nodules Macules Patches Plaques Vesicles Bullae Erosions Ulcers Petechia Purpura
What are macules and patches (skin)
Non-palpable changes to skin that just show colour change. Cannot be felt.
Macules small and papules bigger - usually no larger than 1cm
e.g. macule vitiligo small
patch vitiligo large
What are plaques (skin)?
Flat topped, palpable lesions - usually wider than tall - normally dry/scaly
eg psoriasis
What are vesicles and bullae? (skin)
Small or large blisters
Can be difficult to diagnose and sometimes none intact Usually no larger than 1cm
Vesicle usually <0.5cm (e.g. acute eczemaa blister)
Bulla >0.5cm eg burn/friction
What are erosions and ulcers (skin)
erosion involves epidermis only with dermis intact.
Ulcers extend through dermis
What are petchia and purpura (skin)
Red blood cells that have extravasated into the dermis so the lesions don’t blanch with pressure.
Usually have purple hue
Purpura can be macular or palpable - if palpable the night be sign of vasculitis
