Skin pharmacology Flashcards
Skin functions
Protection
Temperature regulation
Storage
Sensory perception
Secretion
Vitamin D production and metabolism
comedo
blackhead
would healing stage (4)
inflammation,
debridement,
repair
maturation.
The inflammatory phase wound healing
*damaged cells release substances that cause inflammation and decrease bleeding
*then blood vessels to constrict, serum leaks into wound
*fibrin helps clotting of the blood to seal up the wound
bonus– Serum leakage into the wound deposits fibrinogen and other clotting elements.
Later, this serum provides enzymes, proteins and antibodies
The debridement phase wound healing
Begins about 6 hours after injury
white blood cells move into the area to help clear up the infection and remove dead material
Bonus- This stage is facilitated by neutrophils and monocytes.
neutrophils phagocytize bacteria and then die.
Monocytes become macrophages and phagocytize necrotic debris.
The repair phase wound healing
Usually active by 3 to 5 days post injury
fibroblasts begin to move through the area, producing
collagen which, in combination with new capillaries, forms granulation tissue (scar tissue)
Seborrhea
A skin condition that results in an increased amount of scaling
Treated with a keratolytic agent
A keratolytic
an agent that promotes loosening of the epidermis, helping to remove scaling.
Astringents
Applied to help precipitate proteins and are used on areas of moist dermatitis.
dries and cleans
Antiseptic topical medication
Helps inhibit the growth of bacteria on the skin.
Acetic acid
often used in-ear medications because it can help control some bacterial infections.
Benzalkonium chloride
it’s an antiseptic
shouldn’t be used in cats and is deactivated by soap.
Mupirocin
is a topical cream used to treat localized skin infections, cysts between the toes, and draining tracts.
Silver sulfadiazine
SSD cream
For burns
helps to prevent the growth of Pseudomonas bacteria.
antipruritics
anti-itching
May contain oatmeal or antihistamines, topical essential fatty acids
topical-cream steroids
Used in conjunction with other treatments for localized itching or inflammatory conditions.
Oral Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids in particular have been shown to decrease pruritis in some patients. The exact mechanism of action is unknown
Some determinants of how quickly the wound will heal and how the wound should be treated are
Infection
Improper nutrition
Repeated trauma to the wound
Size of wound
Location of wound
Seriousness of wound
Describe the skin layers
epidermis the outermost layer/protective,
dermis - contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles,
hypodermis is below the dermis contains fat and connective tissues
Dermatophyte test
Done with a woods lamp,
contains a dye (phenol red) that turns red as fungal agents
grow
Fungal infections are divided into
superficial (skin and eyes) and systemic (blood,lungs, CNS)
Gram tests
– helps classify bacteria
Stains and turns blue – gram positive
Doesn’t stain and stays red – gram negative
Caustic skin meds
– burn away or eat dead flesh
used for treating proud flesh
Acid Fast stain –
help classify bacteria that doesn’t stain with gram tests,
if they retain the stain during this test then they are acid fast bacteria
eccrine gland
type of sweat gland found only in footpads and may play a role in body temperature regulation
Maturation phase of wound healing
remodeling occurs and the first 3 stages are cleaned up and the healed area becomes stronger
