Skin Conditions Flashcards
Seborrhoeic dermatitis
long-term skin disorder. Symptoms include flaky, scaly, greasy, and occasionally itchy and inflamed skin. Areas of the skin rich in oil-producing glands are often affected including the scalp, face, and chest
Erythroderma
a serious dermatological emergency, characterised by widespread erythema affecting over 90% of the skin surface due to inflammatory skin disease. It often precedes or is associated with exfoliation (skin peeling off in scales or layers), when it may also be known as exfoliative dermatitis (ED).
Its primary signs and symptoms include significant skin redness and potential systemic symptoms due to heat and fluid loss.
A broad range of conditions, such as dermatitis and psoriasis, or external triggers like drug allergies, can provoke erythroderma
Contact dermatitis
type of acute or chronic inflammation of the skin caused by exposure to chemical or physical agents. Symptoms of contact dermatitis can include itchy or dry skin, a red rash, bumps, blisters, or swelling
Occupations at greatest risk for developing irritant contact dermatitis include: chefs, hairdressers, metal workers, nurses, cleaners and construction workers.
Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a condition that causes dry, itchy and inflamed skin. It’s common in young children but can occur at any age. Atopic dermatitis is long lasting (chronic) and tends to flare sometimes. It can be irritating but it’s not contagious.
Characterized by dermal inflammation leading to histological changes in the epidermis such as spongiotic change, acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and parakeratosis.
Typical signs and symptoms include itchiness, erythema, and oozing, which may evolve into dry, flaky skin and lichenification.
People with atopic dermatitis are at risk of developing food allergies, hay fever and asthma.
Atopic dermatitis often begins before age 5 and may continue into the teen and adult years. For some people, it flares and then clears up for a time, even for several years.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by well-demarcated, pruritic, erythematous, scaly plaques
This is due to uncontrolled keratinocyte proliferation and dysfunctional differentiation, leading to epidermal acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and parakeratosis.
usually on the extensor surfaces
Pityriasis rubra pilaris
a group of chronic disorders characterized by reddish orange, scaling plaques and keratotic follicular papules. Symptoms may include reddish-orange patches on the skin, severe flaking, uncomfortable itching, thickening of the skin on the feet and hands, and thickened bumps around hair follicles. For some, early symptoms may also include generalized swelling of the legs, feet and other parts of the body.
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome
a severe hypersensitivity reaction to certain medications
characterised by an extensive skin rash, fever, hematologic abnormalities, lymphadenopahy and multi-organ involvement
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)
SJS/TEN is a rare, acute, serious, and potentially fatal immune-complex-mediated hypersensitivity skin reaction in which there are sheet-like skin and mucosal loss - extensive skin detachment, mucosal involvement, and systemic symptoms.
Distinct from erythema multiforme.
SJS affects <10% of skin surface = 10% mortality
TEN affects >30% - is worse = 30% mortality
** Positive Nikolsky** sign
Causes: Adverse drug reactions most commonly:
- Beta-lactam (penicillins and cephalosporins)
- Anti-epileptics (e.g. Lamotrigine)
- Allopurinol
- NSAIDs
- Combined oral contraceptive pill
Other:
- HSV
- EBV
- HIV
- Influenza
- Hepatitis
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS)
a rare, severe, superficial blistering skin disorder which is characterised by the detachment of the outermost skin layer (epidermis). This is triggered by exotoxin release from specific strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
The blistering of large areas of skin gives the appearance of a burn or scalding, hence the name staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
Acne rosacea
a common skin condition characterized by facial flushing, predominately affecting women aged 30-60 with pale skin. Key signs and symptoms include facial redness, telangiectasia, and various subtypes such as papulo-pustular rosacea, rhinophymatous rosacea, and ocular rosacea
Acne Vulgaris
a common chronic disorder of the pilo-sebaceous unit, resulting in blockage of the follicle, formation of comedones and inflammation.
Key signs and symptoms include open/closed comedones, inflammatory papules and pustules, and in severe cases, nodules and cysts. The disorder predominantly affects the face, neck, chest, and back
Actinic keratosis (AK)
A premalignant skin condition that can lead to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The key signs and symptoms include the formation of thickened papules or plaques with surrounding erythematous skin and a keratotic, rough, warty surface
Alopecia
A medical term for hair loss from areas where hair typically grows. It may present in scarring or non-scarring forms, and its aetiology ranges from autoimmune disease to infections or trauma. Key signs and symptoms depend on the cause, but generally include hair thinning or loss in patches or diffusely
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
a type of skin cancer originating from the basal keratinocytes within the epidermis, commonly resulting from UV-induced DNA damage.
BCC is typically asymptomatic, characterised by slow-growing, flesh-coloured nodules often with a central depression and telangiectasia. an ulcerated centre may be present = rodent ulcer
It is typically slow-growing and rarely metastasizes but can lead to significant local tissue destruction if left untreated.
Celluitis
bacterial infection affecting the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, commonly caused by Streptococcus and/or Staphylococcus organisms. The infection often presents with erythema, calor, swelling, pain, poorly demarcated margins, lymphadenopathy, and potential systemic upset like fever and malaise. Common risk factors include advancing age, immunocompromised states, and predisposing skin conditions.
Chickenpox
highly contagious disease caused by the varicella virus, or human herpes virus 3 (HHV3). Characterised by a raised, red, itchy rash that begins on the face or chest and spreads throughout the body, it progresses into small fluid-filled blisters that crust over within a few days. Chickenpox primarily affects children, but adults can contract the disease.
Allergic contact dermatitis
Presents as an itchy, eczematous rash (vesicles, fissures, erythema), typically 24-48 hours after exposure. The rash may extend beyond the boundaries of immediate contact.
patient is sensitised to the allergen over time, so they may have never had a problem in the past with the material until their presentation.
Typical allergens are nickel (found in jewellery/watches/metal buttons on clothing), acrylates (in nail cosmetics), fragrance, rubber/plastics, hair dye, and henna (paraphenylenediamine)
