Week 3: Dermatology Flashcards
Taking a dermatological history
- presenting complaint- nature, site and duration of problem
- history of presenting complaint
- Initial appearance and evolution of lesion*
- Symptoms (particularly itch and pain)*
- Aggravating and relieving factors
- Previous and current treatments (effective or not)
- Recent contact, stressful events, illness and travel
- History of sunburn and use of tanning machines*
- Skin type (see page 70)*
- PMH
- history of atopy, skin cancer, suspicious skin lesions
- family history
- family history of skin disease
- social history
- occupation
- improvement of lesion when away from work
- medication and allergies
- regular
- recent
- over the counter
- impact on quality of life
examining the skin
There are four important principles in performing a good examination of the skin: INSPECT, DESCRIBE, PALPATE and SYSTEMATIC CHECK
inspect
- General observation
- Site and number of lesion(s)
- If multiple, pattern of distribution and configuration
describe : lesion
SCAM
- Size (the widest diameter),Shape
- Colour
- Associated secondary change
- Morphology, Margin (border)
describe : pigmented lesion
ABCD
(the presence of any of these features increase the likelihood of melanoma):
- Asymmetry (lack of mirror image in any of the four quadrants)
- Irregular Border
- Two or more Colours within the lesion
- Diameter > 6mm
palpate
Surface
Consistency
Mobility
Tenderness
Temperature
examples
- Indurated (SCC)
- Hard (dermatofibroma)
- Soft (skin tag)
- Sclerotic (venous stasis ulcers)
systematic check
Examine the nails, scalp, hair & mucous membranes General examination of all systems
pruritus
itching
lesion
area of altered skin
rash
an eruption
naevus
a localised malformation of tissue structure
e.g. pigmented melanocytic naevus (mole)
comdedone
A plug in a sebaceous follicle containing altered sebum, bacteria and cellular debris; can present as either open (blackheads) or closed (whiteheads)
generalised
all over the body
widespread
extensive
localised
restricted to one area of skin only
flexural
Body folds i.e. groin, neck, behind ears, popliteal and antecubital fossa
extensor
knees, elbow, shins
pressure areas
Sacrum, buttocks, ankles, heels
dermatome
An area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve
photosensitive
Affects sun-exposed areas such as face, neck and back of hands
koebner
A linear eruption arising at site of trauma
e.g. psoriasis
discrete
individual lesions separated from each other
confluent
lesions merging together
linear
in a line
targert
concentric rings -like a dart board
e.g. erythema
annular
like a circle or ring
e.g. tinea corporis - ringworm
discoid/nummular
coin shaped/round lesion
e.g. discoid eczema
erythema
Redness (due to inflammation and vasodilatation) which blanches on pressure
e.g. palmar erythema
purpura
Meaning
Redness (due to inflammation and vasodilatation) which does not blanches on pressure
Example:
Red or purple colour (due to bleeding into the skin or mucous membrane) which does not blanch on pressure – petechiae (small pinpoint macules) and ecchymoses (larger bruise-like patches)
e.g. henoch-schonlein purpura (palpable small vessel vasculitis)
hypo-pigementation
area of paler skin
e.g. pityriasis versicolor (superficial fungus infection)