urticaria and itch

Question 1

what is urticaria?

Answer 1

common condition that mainly affects the dermis
can be acute (minutes to weeks) or chronic (>6 weeks)
3 characteristic features are transient erythema, transient oedema, transient itch.

Question 2

what are 3 likely causes of generalised itch?

Answer 2

psychological
old and dry skin
eczema

Question 3

what are 3 serious causes of generalised itch?

Answer 3

neoplasia (lymphoma, leukaemia)
chronic kidney failure
primary biliary cirrhosis

Question 4

What investigations could you consider in generalised itch?

Answer 4

u/a (kidney failure), pregnancy test, FBC, ESR, iron studies (anaemia), LFTs, EUC, TSH, BSL, stool ova and cysts, CXR, skin biopsy

Question 5

What is dermatitis herpatiformis?

Answer 5

extremely itchy condition. Vesicular. herpes- simplex like vesicles erupt at dermoepidermal junction
Associated with coeliac disease

Question 6

What is lichen planus?

Answer 6

epidermal inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology characterised by pruritic, violaceous, flat tipped papules, mainly on the wrists and legs.
usually resolves over 6-9 months
recurrance rare
topical steroids for symptoms