What is urticaria and what are its causes?
urticaria describes a local or generalised superficial swelling of the skin.
causes:
- allergy
- non-allergic seen sometimes
Clinical features of urticaria
pale pink raised skin
variously described as hives, wheals or nettle rash
pruritic (itchy)
How is urticaria managed?
1st line
additional for troublesome symptoms?
Treatment for severe/resistant episodes
1st:
- non-sedating antihistamines (loratadine, cetirizine)
- continue for up to 6 weeks following an episode of acute urticaria
troublesome symptoms:
- sedating antihistamine (chlorphenamine) - use at night in addition to daytime non-sedating
severe/resistant episodes:
- oral prednisolone
What is tinea, what does the term describe and what are the main types of tinea infection?
dermatophyte (fungus that infects keratinised tissue (skin, hair nails) fungal infection.
main types:
- tinea capitis - scalp
- tinea corporis - trunk legs or arms
- tinea pedis - feet
What are the key features, causes, and possible complications of tinea capitis if you dont treat?
tell me how you would diagnose it too?
clinical features:
- cause of scarring alopecia (mainly in children) if you dont treat.
- if untreated, may form a raised, pustular , spongy/boggy mass - KERION
causes:
- MC in UK/USA: Trichophyton Tonsurans
- Can be caused by Microsporum Canis (from cats or dogs)
how to diagnose:
- wood’s lamp: Microsporum Canis lesions show green fluorescence.
- Trichophyton species: don’t fluoresce under Wood’s Lamp.
- Most useful ix: scalp scrapings
How is tinea capitis managed?
oral antifungals:
- terbinafine - for trichophyton tonsurans
- Griseofulvin: for Microsporum infections.
Topical adjunct:
- Ketoconazole shampoo - for the first 2 weeks to reduce transmission.
What are the causes and clinical features of tinea corporis (ringworm) and how is it managed?
causes:
- trichophyton rubrum
- trichophyton verrucosum (eg from contact with cattle)
Clinical features:
- well-defined annular erythematous lesions
- associated pustules and papules
Management:
- oral fluconazole
What are the features of tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) and in which group is it most common?
Mx?
itchy peeling skin between toes
common in adolescence
Mx:
- First line: Topical antifungal cream (e.g. clotrimazole, terbinafine).
If severe or resistant: Oral antifungal (terbinafine or itraconazole)
What is Bowen’s Disease , who is it most common in and what is the risk if left untreated?
types of precancerous dermatosis that is a precursor to squamous cell carcinoma.
mc in elderly
5-10% chance of developing invasive skin cancer if untreated
Clinical features of Bowen’s Disease?
Lesion characteristics:
- red, scaly patches
- often 10-15mm in size
- slow- growing
Typical Sites:
- sun-exposed areas like head (temples), neck and lower limbs
How would you manage options for Bowen’s Disease and how are they typically used?
can be diagnosed in primary care if diagnosis is clear or repeat episode.
tx:
- topical 5- fluorouracil (5-FU) : twice daily for 4 weeks.
- can cause significant inflammation/erythema - topical steroids given to control. (clobetasol propionate or betamethasone valerate short term)
cryotherapy
excision
What is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) how common is metastasis and what are the main risk factors?
common variant of skin cancer.
rare but occurs in 2-5% of pts.
rf:
- excessive sunlight exposure/psoralen UVA therapy
- actinic keratoses and Bowen’s disease
- immunosuppression ( following renal transplant, HIV)
- smoking
- long-standing leg ulcers (Marjolijn’s ulcer)
- Genetic Conditions: xeroderma pigmentosum, oculocutaneous albinism.
Clinical Features of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)?
sites:
- typically on sun-exposed areas - head, neck , dorsum of hands and arms
lesion characteristics:
- rapidly expanding painless ulcerated nodules
- cauliflower-like appearance
- areas of bleeding may be present.
How is squamous cell carcinoma treated and what are the margin recommendations?
Surgical Excision is mainstay:
- Lesion <20mm : excision with 4mm margins
- Lesion >20mm : excision with 6mm margins
Mohs micrographic surgery:
- Used in high-risk patients and in cosmetically important sites.
What are the prognostic factors for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)?
Good Prognosis:
Well-differentiated tumours
- <20mm diameter
- <2mm deep
- No associated diseases
Poor Prognosis:
- >20mm diameter
- >4mm deep
- immunosuppression for whatever reason
What causes scabies, how is it transmitted, who does it typically affect?
cause:
- scabies is caused by the mite sarcoptes scabiei
transmission:
- spread by prolonged skin contact
epidemiology:
- typically affects children and young adults
What is the mechanism behind the associated pruritus with scabies?
the mite burrows into the skin and lays eggs in the stratum corneum
the intense pruritus is due to a delayed type IV hypersensitivity reaction to mites/eggs
This reaction occurs about 30 days after the initial infection
What are the clinical features of scabies, including primary and secondary signs, and how many infants be affected differently?
primary features:
- widespread pruritus
- linear burrows ( thin threads) on:
- sides of fingers
- interdigital webs
- flexor aspects of the wrist
in infants:
- The face and scalp may also be affected
Secondary features (from scratching):
- excoriation (scratch mark/skin break caused by scratching/rubbing)
- infection
How is scabies managed, including first-line and second-line agents, and what is the expected course of symptoms post-treatment?
1st line: permethrin 5%
2nd line: malathion 0.5%
pruritus: may persist for 4-6 weeks post-eradication
general guidance:
- avoid close physical contact with others until treatment is complete
- all household and close contacts should be treated simultaneously, even if asx
- on 1st day of tx, launder, iron, or tumble-dry clothing, bedding and towels to kill mites.
What specific instructions should patients be given on how to apply insecticide treatment for scabies?
Apply insecticide to all areas ( including face and scalp - contrary to manufacturer’s advice)
Apply to cool, dry skin
Pay close attention to :
- between fingers and toes, under nails, armpits, creases of skin so wrists and elbows.
Allow to dry and leave on for 8-12 hrs for permethrin and 24 hours for malathion
wash off after the specified periuod
reapply if insecticide is removed ( eg hand washing, nappy change)
repeat tx 7 days later
What is crusted (Norwegian) scabies, who is most at risk, what are its features, and how is it managed?
severe form of scabies with heavy infestation
pts with suppressed immunity like HIV
features:
- crusted skin full/overflowing with hundreds of thousands of organisms
mx:
- ivermectin
- isolation!!
What is psoriasis, how common is it, what is the typical skin presentation and what systemic risks are associated with it?
definition: chronic skin disorder.
prevalence: 2%
typical skin presentation: red scaly patches on skin
systemic risks: increased risk of arthritis and cardiovascular disease
key aspects of psoriasis pathophysiology (genetic, immunological and environmental)?
multifactorial - not fully understood
genetic:
- Associated with HLA-B13, HLA-B17, HLA- Cw6
- strong concordance (approx 70%) in identical twins
immunological:
- Abnormal t-cell activity stimulates keratinocyte proliferation
-TH17 cells producing IL-17 play a role (in addition to Th1 and Th2)
Environmental influences:
- Worsening: skin trauma, stress
- Triggers: streptococcal infection
- Improvement: sunlight
What factors may exacerbate psoriasis and what infection may trigger guttate psoriasis?
exacerbators:
- trauma
- alcohol
- drugs : beta blockers, lithium, antimalarials (chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine), nsaids, acei, infliximab.
- Withdrawal of systemic steroids.
Trigger: streptococcal infection can trigger guttate