Skin conditions

Question 1

What is cellulitis?

Answer 1

A bacteria infection of the skin and tissues beneath it. Most commonly caused by streptococci bacteria.

Question 2

Atopic eczema and atopic psoriasis are both…

Answer 2

Non-infective inflammatory conditions.

Question 3

Atopy is the general predisposition to suffer from one or more allergic disorders including…

Answer 3

Asthma, eczema, dermatitis, urticaria, and allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

Question 4

Contact dermatitis is

Answer 4

local to the area exposed to aligen.

Question 5

Name as many warning signs as you can of a possible malignant melanoma (Nice 2006 guidelines- Assessing changes in moles). Nice list 3 major and four minor warning signs.

Answer 5

1. Change in size (2)
2. Change in colour (2)
3. Change in shape (2)
4. 7mm or more across in any direction (1)
5. Inflammation (1)
6. Oozing or bleeding (1)
7. Change in sensation (e.g. itching or pain) (1)

Nice (2006) says that a lesion scoring 3 or more should be urgently referred, but that if there is any cause for concern regardless of the score, then the person should be referred to a specialist.

Question 6

Psoriasis results in…

Answer 6

Increased epidermal cell proliferation (about 10 times faster than normal).

Question 7

Psoriasis is thought to be caused by

Answer 7

Immunological disorder

Question 8

Name as many warning signs as you can of a possible malignant melanoma (Nice 2006 guidelines- Assessing changes in moles)

Answer 8

1. Change in size (2)
2. Change in colour (2)
3. Change in shape (2)
4. 7mm or more across in any direction (1)
5. Inflammation (1)
6. Oozing or bleeding (1)
7. Change in sensation (e.g. itching or pain) (1)

Nice (2006) says that a lesion scoring 3 or more should be urgently referred, but that if there is any cause for concern regardless of the score, then the person should be referred to a specialist.