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

2. OPEN BOOK TO PAGE 79 AND KEEP OPEN TO USE AS REFERENCE

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. ….
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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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.