Chapter 17 Drugs for Skin Conditions Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Basic Anatomy and Physiology The skin is made up of three layers: –Epidermis (the most superficial layer that contains cells, but not blood vessels) –Dermis (the middle layer that is composed of blood and lymph vessels, nerve fibers, and the accessory organs of skin such as glands and hair follicles) –Subcutaneous (the deepest layer that is composed of connective tissue) Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Basic Anatomy and Physiology Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Drugs Used in Treating Skin Disorders Topical treatments consist of agents applied to a surface; they affect the area to which they are applied –Topical antibiotics and antifungals are covered in Table 17-1 in your textbook Systemic treatments consist of drugs given systemically that affect many areas of the body –Covered in a variety of previous chapters Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Drugs Used in Treating Pruritus Topical antipruritics provide moderate relief of itching (may be used with systemic medication) –Topical nonsteroidal antipruritics Local anesthetics such as lidocaine, tetracaine, benzocaine, and pramoxine –Soothing agents Oatmeal has soothing and anti-inflammatory effects –Antihistamines Products containing diphenhydramine calm pain and itching due to allergic reactions and sensitive skin –Topical corticosteroids Variety of products such as hydrocortisone, fluocinolone, triamcinolone, and betamethazone Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Drugs Used in Treating Seborrhea Seborrhea is characterized by abnormal flaking or scaling of the epidermis and may be accompanied by increased oil production (seborrhea oleasa) or not (seborrhea sicca) Keratolytics are an important group of antiseborrheics –Keratolytics remove excess keratin and promote loosening of the outer layers of the epidermis –Keratolytics break down the protein structure of the keratin layer, permitting easier removal of this material Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Drugs Used in Treating Seborrhea Examples of topical antiseborrheics: Sulfur: keratolytic, antipruritic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic Salicylic acid: keratolytic, antipruritic, and antibacterial Coal tar: keratolytic and degreasing Benzoyl peroxide: keratolytic, antipruritic, antibacterial, and degreasing Selenium sulfide: keratolytic, degreasing, and antifungal Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Other Agents Used to Treat Skin Disorders Astringents are agents that constrict tissues Antiseptics are substances that kill or inhibit the growth of microbes on living tissue Soaks and dressings are substances applied to areas to draw out fluid or relieve itching Caustics are substances that destroy tissue Counterirritants are substances that produce irritation and inflammation in areas of chronic inflammation See Table 17-2 in your textbook for examples of these agents Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning