Characteristics and Treatment of Common Skin Disorders INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM Characteristics and Treatment of Common Skin Disorders

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ACNE Acne vulgaris Common and chronic disorder of the sebaceous glands Secrete excessive oil which is deposited at the openings of the glands; eventually the oily deposit becomes hard (keratinized), plugging up the opening The openings become filled with leukocytes (WBC) which cause the accumulation of pus Occurs most often in adolescence and is marked by blackheads, cysts, pimples, and scarring

Albinism Absence of melanin (partial or total lack) Congenital hereditary condition Total albinos have pale skin that does not tan, white hair, pink eyes, nystagmus (movements/jerking of the eyes), astigmatism (blurred vision), and photophobia (abnormal sensitivity to light, especially by the eyes) All are prone to severe sunburn, actinic dermatitis (rash from sun exposure), and skin cancer

ALOPECIA Baldness; permanent hair loss Genetic predisposition in some males The normal hair is replaced by a very short hair which is transparent Males typically experience more hair loss than women and at a younger age (women can have it) Treatment included medications (topical and oral) and hair transplants

ATHLETE’S FOOT Contagious fungal infection Infects the superficial skin layer and leads to skin eruptions Characterized by the formation of small blisters between the fingers and most often the toes; accompanied by cracking and scaling Usually contracted in public baths or showers Treatment involves thorough cleaning and drying of the affected area along with special anitfungal agents

DERMATITIS Inflammation of the skin which may be nonspecific Rash: can be a reaction to soap, plants, etc.; considered contact dermatitis Treat contact dermatitis by removing the irritant, wash the area, and apply topical ointments to reduce inflammation and itching Skin blotches: can be caused by stress

ECZEMA Acute or chronic noncontagious inflammatory skin disease Skin becomes dry, red, itchy, and scaly Most common type is atopic eczema: an allergic reaction that usually occurs in the first year of life Treatment: removal or avoidance of the causative agent, as well as application of topical medications containing hydrocortisone Medication only helps to alleviate the symptoms

IMPETIGO Acute, inflammatory, and contagious skin disease seen in babies and young children Caused by staphylococcus or streptococcus organism Characterized by the appearance of vesicles that rupture and develop distinct yellow crusts Treatment: topical antibacterial cream and oral anitbiotics

PSORIASIS Chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by the development of dry reddish patches which are covered with a silvery –white scales Affects the skin surface over the elbows, knees, shins, scalp, and lower back Cause is unknown; onsets may be triggered by stress, trauma, or infection Treatment: none definitive at present; moisturizers help keep the skin soft and reduce scales and thus the pain of cracking skin

RINGWORM Highly contagious fungal infection marked by raised, itchy, circular patches with crusts May occur on the skin, scalp, and underneath the nails Treatment: anti fungal drugs

URTICARIA/HIVES Skin condition recognized by the appearance of intensely itching wheals or welts Have an elevated, usually white center, with a surrounding pink area Appear in clusters distributed over the entire body surface Last 1-2 days Generally a response to an allergen (such as a food or drug) Complete avoidance and elimination of the causative factor(s) alleviate the problem

BOILS Painful bacterial infection of the hair follicles or sebaceous glands usually caused by the staphylococcus organism If it becomes more extensive and is deeply embedded, it is called a carbuncle Treatment: antibiotics and an excision and drainage of the affected area

ROSACEA Common inflammatory disorder characterized by chronic redness and irritation to the face Most often affects fair-skinned adults If s/s worsen, small blood vessels on the nose and cheeks enlarge and become visible, small red bumps or pustules may appear and spread across the face Treatment: avoid triggers that aggravate the condition and use of a topical or oral antibiotic medication

HERPES Viral infection that is usually seen as a blister Most common types: herpes simplex, genital herpes, and herpes zoster (shingles) Involves periods of remission and exacerbation HERPES SIMPLEX Occurs around the mouth and is known as a fever blister or cold sore May be spread through oral contact

HERPES GENITAL HERPES May appear as a fever blister in the genital area Usually spread through sexual contact Treatment: antiviral medication such as acyclovir Can be passed from mother to baby during vaginal delivery

HERPES HERPES ZOSTER (SHINGLES) Skin eruptions due to a virus infection of the nerve endings Same virus as the one that causes chicken pox Commonly seen on the chest or abdomen, accompanied by severe pain known as herpetic neuralgia Serious in people who are elderly or debilitated Treatment consists of medication for pain and itching and protecting the area

SKIN CANCER Associated with exposure to UV light Most common type of cancer in people Basal cell carcinoma Most common and least malignant, usually occurs on the face Treatment: surgical removal, radiation, or cryosurgery Cryosrugery: destruction of tissue by freezing, using liquid nitrogen Full recovery occurs in 99% of the cases

continued Squamous cell carcinoma Arises from the epidermis and occurs most often on the scalp and lower lip Grows rapidly and metastasizes to the lymph nodes Treated by surgical removal or radiation Chances are good if found early

…. Malignant melanoma Occurs in pigmented cells of the skin called melanocytes Metastasize to other areas quickly May appear as a brown or black irregular patch which occurs suddenly A change in a preexisting wart or mole may also indicate melanoma Treatment: surgical removal of the melanoma and the surrounding area and chemotherapy

BURNS (pg 84) Traumatic injury as the result of radiation from the sun (sunburn), a heat lamp, or contact with boiling water, steam, fire, chemicals, or electricity When the skin is burned, dehydration and infection may occur Referred to as first, second, or third degree depending on the skin layers affected and the symptoms

FIRST DEGREE BURNS Also called superficial burns Involve only the epidermis Symptoms are redness, swelling, and pain Treatment: application on cold water Healing occurs within one week

SECOND DEGREE BURNS Also called partial thickness burns May involve the epidermis and dermis Symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, and blistering Treatment: may include pain medication and dry sterile dressings applied to open skin areas Healing generally occurs within 2 weeks

THIRD DEGREE BURNS Full thickness burns Involve complete destruction of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layers Symptoms include loss of skin, eschar (blackened skin), yet possibly no pain (WHY?) May be a life-threatening situation depending on the amount of skin damaged, and fluid and plasma lost Requires immediate hospitalization Treatment: prevention of infection, contracture, and fluid replacement Skin grafting is done as soon as possible

RULE OF NINES Measures the percent of the body burned The body is divided into 11 areas and each area accounts for 9% of the total body surface. For example, each arm is 4.5%; the perineal area accounts for 1% SEE FIGURE 5-7 pg 83.