Y5 - Cutaneous autoimmune disease (incl. alopecia areata, vitiligo) Flashcards
def of AA
common autoimmune condition whereby inflammatory cells target the hair follicle
epi of AA
common in children and young adults
aetiology of AA
unknown
what does alopecia totalis mean
total loss of scalp hair
what does alopecia universalis mean
loss of hair across entire scalp and body
signs and symptoms of AA
patchy hair loss
hair is more narrow or weak at the proximal end and more blunt and broken at the distal end
what is the positive hair-pull test
> 5 hairs is a positive pull test
RFs of AA
other autoimmune conditions
investigations of AA
clinical diagnosis
management for limited hair loss
topical corticosteroid for children -clobetasol topical minoxidil for children and adults who do not want intralesional steroids intralesional corticosteroid for adults -triamcinolone acetonide
management for xtensive hair loss
topical immunotherapy
- DNCB
- DPCP
- SADBE
complications of AA
topical minoxidil-induced skin irritation and hypertrichosis
what is hypertrichosis
excessive hair growth
prognosis of AA
a relapsing and remitting disease
def of V
acquired loff of melanocytes in a circumscribed area of epidermis which results in complete depigmentation of affected skin
epi of V
common disorder
young adult
aetiology of V
T-cell mediated destruction of melanocytes which leads to loss of melanin production and pigmentation of overlying keratinocytes
signs and symptoms of V
RFs
acral and periorificial depigmentation
Hx of recent cutaneous trauma
what are RFs for V
<30 yrs
FHx/other autoimmune diseases
autoimmune thyroid disease
what naevi is found far more commonly in patients
halo naevus
investigations
clinical diagnosis
management for limited V
topical corticosteroid and or tacrolimus
- clobetasol topical
- tacrolimus topical
management for widespread V
phototherapy +/- topical or oral corticosteroid or topical tacrolimus
- phototherapy
- clobetasol topical
- tacrolimus topical
complications of V
Koebners phenomenon
photosensitivity (sunburn)
what is koebners phenomenon
depigmentation in response to trauma
prognosis of V
may slow after an initial phase however complete repigmentation without treatment is rare
how long does it normally take for V to improve
1 year
what % of patients experience improvement with first line therapies for V
75%
