Therapeutics

Question 1

What are the advantages of topical skin therapeutics?

Answer 1

Direct application

Reduced systemic effects

Question 2

What are the disadvantages of topical treatments?

Answer 2

Time consuming
Correct dosage can be difficult
Messy to use

Question 3

What are gels?

Answer 3

Thickened aqueous lotions

Semi-solids containing high molecular weight polymers

Question 4

What areas of the body are gels mostly used for?

Answer 4

Scalp

Hair bearing areas around the face

Question 5

What are creams?

Answer 5

Semi-solid emulsion of oil in water

Question 6

What do creams contain?

Answer 6

Emulsifier and preservative

High water content

Question 7

What are the benefits of creams?

Answer 7

Cools and moisturises
Easy to apply
Non-greasy
Cosmetically acceptable

Question 8

What are ointments?

Answer 8

Semi-solid grease/oil

Question 9

What do ointments contain?

Answer 9

Soft paraffin

No preservative

Question 10

What are the negatives of ointments?

Answer 10

Greasy

Restrict trans-epidermal water loss

Question 11

What do pastes contain?

Answer 11

FInely powdered material (ZNO)

Question 12

What are creams used for?

Answer 12

In drying, cooling and soothing bandaged

Often used on leg ulcers

Question 13

What are the negatives of creams?

Answer 13

Stiff, greasy and difficult to apply

Question 14

What are lotions?

Answer 14

Liquid formation

Suspension or solution of medication in water, alcohol or another liquid

Question 15

Where are lotions used to treat?

Answer 15

The scalp or hair bearing areas

Question 16

What are foams?

Answer 16

Hydrophillic liquid in continuous phase with foaming agent dispersed in gaseous phase

Question 17

What are the benefits of foams?

Answer 17

Increased penetration of active agents
Can spread easily over large area of skin
No greasy/oily film

Question 18

What are some types of topical therapies?

Answer 18

Emollients
Topical steroids
Anti-infective agents
Antipruritics
Keratolytics
Psoriasis therapies
Wet wrap therapy

Question 19

What do emollients do?

Answer 19

Enhance the rehydration of the epidermis

Question 20

What are emollients used for?

Answer 20

All dry/scaly conditions

Question 21

What is the dose of emollients?

Answer 21

300-500g weekly

Question 22

What do topical steroids do?

Answer 22

Vasoconstriction
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-proliferative

Question 23

What are some examples of topical steroids?

Answer 23

Hydrocortisone
Modrasone clobetasoone butyrate
Mometasone betamethasone valerate
Clobetasol proprionate

Question 24

What are topical steroids used for?

Answer 24

Eczema
Psoriasis
Lichen planus
Keloid scars

Question 25

What are the side effects of topical steroids?

Answer 25

Thinning of the skin
Purpura
Stretch marks
Steroid rosacea
Perioral dermatitis
May worsen infections
Systemic absorption causing adrenal suppression or cushings
Rebound flare

Question 26

What are antiseptics used for?

Answer 26

Recurrent infections
Antibiotic resistance
Wound irrigation

Question 27

What are examples of antiseptics?

Answer 27

Povidone iodine skin cleanser
Chlorhexidine
Triclosan
Hydrogen peroxide

Question 28

What are antivirals used for?

Answer 28

Herpes simplex
Eczema herpeticum
Herpes zoster

Question 29

What are antifungals used for?

Answer 29

Candida
Dermatophytes
Piityrasis versicolor

Question 30

What are examples of anti-pruritics?

Answer 30

Menthol
Capsaicin
Camphor
Crotamiton

Question 31

What are Keratolytics used for?

Answer 31

Softening kerating
Viral warts
Corns
Calluses
Hyperkeratotis eczema and psoriases

Question 32

What are some treatments for psoriasis?

Answer 32

Emollients
Coal tar
Vitamin D
Keratolytics
Dithranol

Question 33

What are treatments for scalp psoriasis?

Answer 33

Greasy ointments to soften scale
Tar shampoo
Steroids in alcohol based shampoo

Question 34

What is wet wrap therapy used for?

Answer 34

Very dry xerotic skin