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2ND YEAR SYSTEMS: Dermatology > Skin infections and infestations > Flashcards

Skin infections and infestations Flashcards

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Dermatology Board Prep flashcards
1
Q

What is an infection?

A

The pathological state resulting from the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms

Invasion and multiplication of disease-causing organisms that can lead to local cellular/tissue injury.

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2
Q

Which bacteria normally live on our skin?

A

Staphylococcus epidermidis

Staph Aureus

Yeast - malassezia furfur

Other aerobic and anaerobic bacteria:
Corynebacterium
Propionbacterium

These should all be in balance

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3
Q

Signs of infection

A 
Erythema - redness
Hot
Tender
Pus - doesn't always mean infection
Exudate
Fever
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4
Q

Investigations done to check for infection

A

Skin swab for Microscopy, culture and sensitivities (M,C&S)

If clinically indicated:
Full blood count, ESR
U&Es, LFTs, Calcium, CRP (sign of systemic inflammation)

Skin biopsy

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5
Q

What is Impetigo?

A

A superficial skin infection. More likely to get it if you have eczema due to barrier dysfunction

Most common bacterial skin infection in children

honey crusting

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6
Q

Causative organisms for impetigo?

A

Staph A and Strep Pyogenes

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7
Q

Treatment of impetigo

A

If localised - fusidic acid or Mupirocin (If MRSA - try to restrict this so staph A doesn’t become resistant

If widespread, severe, bullous - flucloxacillin, erythromycin

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8
Q

Name 2 other common skin infections

A

Cellulitis

Erysipelas

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9
Q

Features of cellulitis and erysipelas

A

Acute onset, feeling unwell, temperature, systemic = clues to infection

Asymmetrical

Can draw around it to track progression/ response to treatment

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10
Q

Likely causative organisms in cellulitis/erysipelas

A

Streptococcus pyogenes

Staphylococcus aureus

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11
Q

What is the 1st choice antibiotic in severe cases of cellulitis/erysipelas?

A

Flucloxacillin + Benzylpenicillin

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12
Q

Which skin problems can occur in the lower legs?

A

DVT

Venous eczema

Allergic contact dermatitis - dressing etc

Necrotising faciitis - deeper infection, v unwell

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13
Q

If there is a suspected bacterial infection how should you manage it?

A

Take a swab

Start antibiotics - review after 48 hrs (check skin swab result + response to treatment). Often start broad spectrum then narrow down once sensitivities from swab are back.

If not better in a week consider a different diagnosis (if infection it will usually respond within a week)

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14
Q

Oedema blisters

A

Often caused by an acute exacerbation of oedema - tissue doesn’t have enough time to compensate

Commonly on dorsum of feet

Often erythematous - red

Can feel hot

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15
Q

Features of Lipodermatosclerosis

A

Chronic ongoing venous stasis – affects full thickness of skin

Woody/hard leg

If acute can be hot and tender. Often bilateral.

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16
Q

Treatment of lipodermatosclerosis

A

Treat underlying venous disease

Topical steroids

17
Q

Name 2 common fungal infections

A

Tinea - Infection by a Dermatophyte - v rare

Candidiasis

18
Q

What does the classification of Tinea depend on?

A

The body site affected

19
Q

Different names given to Tinea infection with their associated infection site

A

Ringworm or Tinea corporis if on body

Tinea capitis if on head

Tinea pedis (Athlete’s foot)

Tinea cruris affects the groin

Onychomycosis affects the nails

20
Q

Treatment of Tinea

A

Tinea infection of feet, body, hands or groin usually responds to topical treatment

Tinea infection of scalp or nails requires oral antifungals

21
Q

Names of topical treatments used for selective Tinea infection

A

Terbinafine or clotrimazole cream

22
Q

What is Tinea more commonly known as?

A

Ringworm

23
Q

What can be sent to the lab to check/test for fungal infection?

A

Skin scraping - can take 2/3 weeks for result

24
Q

Common yeast infection that is found in sweaty, warm places on the body?

A

Candida albicans

25
Q

What must you also do in the treatment of ringworm?

A

Must treat family members that may be asymptomatic carriers

26
Q

How are candida infections treated?

A

Nystatin, Miconazole, Ketoconazole cream

27
Q

What is Intertrigo?

A

Rash that shows up in skin folds - can be due to friction or irritation by sweat

Emollient can help

28
Q

What are viral warts caused by?

A

Human Papilloma virus

29
Q

Who is more likely to contract viral warts?

A

HIV patients
Immunosuppressed adults
Children with eczema

30
Q

Treatment of viral warts

A

Normally not necessary

Treatments are not very effective

Wart paints and cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) can stimulate immune system

Warts will go away when patient develops immunity against wart virus

31
Q

What is Molluscum contagiosum?

A

Common DNA pox virus in children

Umbilicated papules

May become secondarily infected

Will go away when patient develops immunity

Should not get this in adults.

32
Q

Features of Herpes simplex virus

A

Cold sore
Eczema herpeticum

treat with aciclovir

33
Q

Features of Herpes Zoster virus (chicken pox)

A

Primary infection usually in children

Vesicles – start at top of chest and spreads down

Tend to have immunity with first infection

34
Q

Reactivation of chicken pox is called…

A

Shingles

35
Q

Where do Infestations tend to occur?

A 
Wrists 
Interweb spaces
Feet
Genitals
Ankles
36
Q

Scabies (Sarcoptes scabei)

A

Parasite that burrows into skin. Their faeces cause the reaction. Diagnose by skin scraping.

Norweigian scabies is worse - thousands of mites - requires multiple treatments. More common if you have down syndrome, HIV etc

37
Q

Treatment of scabies

A

Permethrin cream top to toe for 8 hours - 2 applications 1 week apart

Treat all in household and close contacts

Itch may take 1-4 weeks to settle even after infection has gone

38
Q

Important points

A

Pus doesn’t mean infection

Positive swab doesn’t mean infection

2ND YEAR SYSTEMS: Dermatology (11 decks)

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