Skin Condition

Question 1

Psoriasis cause

Answer 1

Autoimmune disease
–>speed up growth cycle of skin cells
–>cutaneous inflammation and epidermal hyperproliferation

Question 1

Psoriasis S/S & Rx

Answer 1

Fingernail and toenails–>psoriatic nail dystrophy

Inflammation of the joint–>psoriatic arthritis

**Morphologic features:
* Plaques (raised lesions)
* Well circumscribed margins
* Bright salmon red color
* Silvery (white/shiny) scales
* Symmetrical distribution

Rx:
Phototherapy with UVB light preferably

Question 2

Atopic dermatitis

Answer 2

AKA endogenous eczema

intensely itchy inflammatory skin disorder

Presentation:
- itchiness
- erythema
- lichenification (thickening skin lines)
- excoriations (scratching/picking at skin)

3 Phases:
- Infantile (2 mo-2 yo): facial and extensor distribution

• Childhood: dry skin, flexural distribution (popliteal and cuboid fossa)
• Adult: impoves with age, less flexural distribution, primarily affects the hands

Question 3

Contact dermatitis

Answer 3

AKA: exogenous eczema

Cause:
Allergic contact dermatitis: immune hypersensitivity to an allergen in contact with the skin
(e.g. nickel, poison ivy).

Irritant contact dermatitis: contact of skin with something that primarily causes direct local irritation (harsh detergents, chemicals).