Herpes Simplex
Grouped vesicles that recur in the same location May be preceded by a prodrome of symptoms including itching, burning, tingling, painful sensations Treatment is suppressive, not curative HSV1 usually causes herpes labialis (cold sores), and HSV2 usually causes genital herpes Primary infection ranges from going unnoticed to being severe with fever, myalgias, lymphadenopathy, necrotic ulcers, etc.
Recurrent Herpes Simplex Treatment Valacyclovir: – 2000 mg BID for 1 day for herpes labialis, – 500 mg BID for 3 days for genital herpes Acyclovir: – 400 mg TID for 5 days Famciclovir: – 125 mg BID for 5 days Acyclovir 5% ointment: – 6 times daily for 7 days Chronic suppressive: – Valacyclovir mg Qdaily – Acyclovir 400 mg BID – Famcicloir 250 mg BID
Herpes Zoster
Dermatomes
Herpes Zoster
Caused by a reactivation of the latent varicella-zoster virus (in the herpes family) in patients who have had varicella (chicken pox) May have a prodrome of itching, pain, headache, myalgias After the several week disease course, postherpetic neuralgia may present, which is characterized by months of skin pain and burning
Herpes Zoster Treatment Antivirals – Valacyclovir 1000 mg TID for 7 days – Acyclovir 800 mg 5 times a day for 7 days – Famciclovir 500 mg TID for 7 days Pain/nerve medication – Gabapentin 300 mg BID or TID – Pregabalin 100 mg BID or TID – Amitriptyline mg QHS – Analgesics and NSAIDs – OTC capsaicin cream BID or TID
Folliculitis
Folliculitis Treatment Antibacterial soaps daily – OTC Dial – OTC Lever 2000 Hospital strength antiseptic cleansers 1-2 times per week – OTC Hibaclens (chlorohexadine) Bleach baths or bleach spritzers 1-2 times per week – ½ cup of bleach in a tub of bath water – 1 tablespoon of bleach in spray bottle Topical antibiotics – Mupirocin 2% ointment (can be used on affected areas and in staph colonized areas: nose, axilla, umbilicus, groin. Use BID for 5 days and repeat monthly) – Clindamycin 1% lotion, solution, or gel Oral antibiotics – Doxycycline 100 mg BID (may require several month course) – Clindamycin 300 mg QID – Bactrim DS BID
Furunculosis
Urticaria
An individual hive lasts less than 24 hours Common: about 20% of population has had hives at some point in their lives Causes: – Medications – Contact urticaria caused by latex – Recent infection – Foods – Idiopathic – Autoimmune
Urticaria Treatment Discontinue suspected drugs Avoid aspirin and NSAIDs Antihistamines – OTC diphenhydramine 25 mg QID – Rx hydroxyzine mg QID – OTC cetirizine (Zyrtec) 10 mg BID – OTC fexofenadine (Allegra) 180 mg BID Tricyclic drugs – Doxepin mg QHS Immunosuppresants – Prednisone 0.5 mg/kg daily
Other Common Skin Eruptions Scabies Impetigo Acne vulgaris Rosacea Lichen planus
COMMON LESIONS IN DERMATOLOGY Recognition Diagnosis Treatment When to Refer