My Wiki
  • Introduction
  • 01 Step 1
    • Antimicrobials
      • 01 Cell Wall And Membrane
      • 02 Protein Synthesis
      • 03 Others
      • 04 Antimicrobials
    • Behavior Science
      • Development
      • Public Health Copy
      • Public Health
    • Biochemistry
      • 01 DNA Structure
      • 02 Purine
      • 03 Pyrimidine
      • 04 Glucose
      • 05 Glycolysis
      • 06 Gluconeogenesis
      • 07 Glycogen
      • 08 HMP Shunt
      • 09 Fructose And Galactose
      • 10 Pyruvate Dehydrogenase
      • 11 TCA
      • 12 ETC
      • 13 FA
      • 14 Ketones
      • 15 Ethanol
      • 17 Inborn Errors
      • Ammonia
      • B Vitamins
      • Lysosomal Storage Diseases
      • Other Vitamins
    • Cardiology
      • 01 Cardiac Anatomy
      • 01 Cardiac Embryology
      • 02 Heart Physiology
      • 03 Congenital Heart Disease
      • 04 Cardiac Cycle
      • 06 PV Loop
      • 07 Wiggers And Venous
      • 09 Starling
      • 10 Cardiac Ischemia
      • 11 Stable Angina
      • 14 EKG Basics
      • 15 EKG Others
      • 15 High Yield EKG
      • 16 Cardiac AP
      • 17 BBB
      • 21 Antiarrhythmics
      • 22 Heart Murmurs
      • 23 Heart Sounds
      • 24 HF Basics
      • 25 Systolic Diastolic HF
      • 26 Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
      • 27 Acute HF
      • 28 Chronic HF
      • 30 Shunts
      • 31 Congenital Heart Disease
      • 32 Hypertension
      • 33 Antihypertensives
      • 34 Valvular Disease
      • 35 Shock
      • 36 Pericardial Disease
      • 37 Aortic Dissection
      • 38 Cardiac Tumors
      • 39 Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
      • 40 Endocarditis
      • Chest Pain
    • Cell
      • 01 DNA
      • 02 DNA Mutation
      • 03 DNA Repair
      • 04 Transcription
      • 05 Translation
      • 06 PCR
      • Cell Cycle
      • Cell Structure
      • CT
      • Cytoskeleton
    • Endocrinology
      • 01 Thyroid
      • 02 Thyroid Disorders
      • 03 Adrenal Gland
      • 04 Adrenal Disorders
      • 05 CAH
      • 06 Pituitary Anatomy
      • 07 Pituitary Secretions
      • 08 Pituitary Pathology
      • 10 Endocrine Pancreas
      • 11 Diabetes
      • 12 Diabetes Treatment
      • 13 Insulin
      • 14 Parathyroid
      • 15 MEN
    • Genetics
      • 01 Genetic Principles
      • 02 Gene Mapping
      • 03 Meiosis
      • 04 Hardy
      • 05 Pedigree
      • 06 Imprinting
      • 07 Down
      • 08 Trisomy
      • 09 AD
      • Deletion
      • Trinucleotide Disorders
    • GI
      • 01 Embryology
      • 02 GI Anatomy
      • 03 GI Blood
      • 04 GI Tract
      • 05 Liver Gallbladder Pancreas
      • 06 Salivary
      • 07 Hernia
      • 08 Bile
      • 09 Bilirubin
      • 10 GI Secretion
      • 11 GI Hormones
      • 12 Exocrine Pancreas
      • 13 Esophageal Disorders
      • 14 Liver Disease
      • 15 Cirrhosis
      • 16 Liver Tumors
      • [17 Wilson S](01 Step 1/GI/17 Wilson's.md)
      • 18 Gallstones
      • 19 Biliary Disorders
      • 20 Gastric
      • 21 Malabsorption
      • 22 Acute Pancreatitis
      • 23 Chronic Pancreatitis
      • 24 Intestinal Disorders
      • 25 IBD
      • 26 Colon Cancer
    • Heme
      • 01 Coagulation
      • 02 Platelets
      • 03 Hypercoagulable States
      • 04 Coagulopathies
      • 05 Platelet Disorders
      • 06 Antiplatelet
      • 08 Hemolysis Basics
      • 09 Extrinsic Hemolysis
      • 10 Intrinsic Hemolysis
      • 11 Microcytic Anemia
      • 12 Thalassemia
      • 13 Sickle Cell
      • 14 Other Anemias
      • 15 Blood Groups
      • 16 Acute Leukemia
      • 17 Chronic Leukemia
      • 18 Hodgkin Lymphoma
      • 19 Nonhodgkin Lymphoma
      • 20 Plasma Cell Disorders
      • 21 Amyloidosis
      • 22 Myeloproliferative
      • 23 Porphyrias
    • Immunology
      • 01 Innate Immunity
      • 02 T Cells
      • 03 B Cells
      • 04 Complement
      • 05 Spleen
      • Antibodies
      • Glucocorticoids
      • Hypersensitivity
      • Immune Deficiencies
      • Immunosuppressants
      • Lupus
      • Rheumatoid Arthritis
      • Scleroderma
      • Sjogren
      • Transplants
      • Vasculitis
    • Infectious Disease
      • 01 Bacteria
      • 02 Bacteria Culture
      • 03 Bacteria Virulence
      • 04 Virus Structure
      • 05 Bacterial Genetics
      • Malaria
      • Virus Sturcture
    • Microbes
      • 01 Gm Positive Cocci
      • 02 Gm Positive Bacilli
      • 03 Gm Negative Cocci
      • 04 Gm Negative Enteric Bacilli
      • 05 Gm Negative Respiratory Bacilli
      • 06 Gm Negative Zoonotic Bacilli
      • 07 Mycobacterium
      • 08 Spirochetes
      • 09 Gm Indeterminate
      • 10 Parasites
      • 11 Virus
      • Fungi
      • Herpes
      • Sketchy
      • Strep
    • MSK
      • 01 Bone Disorders
      • 01 Knee
      • 02 Shoulder
      • 03 Brachial
      • 04 Wrist
      • 05 Hand
      • 06 Lumbosacral
      • 07 Hip
      • 08 Bone Biology
      • 09 Skeletal Muscles
      • Dermatomes
    • Neurology
      • 01 CNS Cells
      • 02 Wallerian Degeneration
      • 03 BBB
      • 04 Neurotransmitters
      • 06 Cerebral Cortex
      • 07 Spinal Cord
      • 08 Spinal Cord Syndromes
      • 09 Brainstem
      • 10 Cranial Nerves
      • 11 Auditory System
      • 12 Vestibular System
      • 13 Thalamus
      • 14 Cerebellum
      • 15 Basal Ganglia
      • 16 Ventricles And Sinuses
      • 17 Cerebral And Lacunar Strokes
      • 18 Vertebrobasilar Stroke
      • 19 CNS Aneurysm
      • 20 Intracranial Bleeding
      • 21 Management Of Stroke
      • 25 Pupil
      • 26 Lens
      • 27 Retina
      • 30 Gaze Palsies
      • 31 Structural Eye Disorders
      • 32 Glaucoma
      • 36 Meningitis
      • 37 Seizures
      • 39 Dementia And Delirium
      • 40 Demyelinating Diseases
      • 41 Headaches
      • 42 Brain Tumors
      • 43 Movement Disorders
      • 44 CNS Infections
    • Pharm
      • 01 Autonomics
      • 02 Cardiorenal
      • 03 Blood
      • 04 Smooth Muscles
      • 05 GI
      • Analgesics
      • Antineoplastics
      • Cholinometics
      • CYP 450
      • Parkinson
      • Psych
      • Sedatives
    • Pharmacology
      • 01 Enzymes
      • 02 Inhibitors
      • 03 Dose
      • 04 Drug Elimination
      • 05 Pharmacokinetics
    • Pulmonary
      • 01 Pulmonary Anatomy
      • 02 Pulmonary Physiology
      • 03 Hemoglobin
      • 04 Pulmonary Circulation
      • 05 Hypoxia
      • 06 Ventilation
      • 07 CO 2
      • 08 Pulmonary Exam
      • 09 PFT
      • 10 Obstructive
      • 11 Restrictive
      • 12 COPD Treatment
      • 13 Pneumonia
      • 14 Pleural Disease
      • 15 Lung Cancer
      • 16 Sleep Apnea
      • 17 Cystic Fibrosis
      • 18 TB
      • 19 Sarcoidosis
      • 20 PE
      • 21 Xray
    • Renal
      • 01 Renal Embryology
      • 02 Renal Anatomy
      • 03 Renal Physiology 1
      • 04 Renal Physiology II
      • 05 Nephron Physiology
      • 06 Renal Endocrine
      • 07 Acid Excretion
      • 08 Acid Base Principles
      • 09 Respiratory Disorders
      • 10 Metabolic Disorders
      • 11 RTA
      • 12 Metabolic Acidosis
      • 13 Electrolytes
      • 14 Na And Water
      • 15 Na Disorders
      • 16 Glomerulonephritis Principles
      • 17 Nephritic Syndrome
      • 18 Nephrotic Syndrome
      • 19 MPGN
      • 20 Tubulointerstitial Disease
      • 21 Renal Failure
      • 22 UTI
      • 23 Cystic Kidney
      • 24 Diuretics
      • 25 Renal Stones
      • 26 Renal Tumors
      • 27 Rhabdomyolysis
      • 28 Pathogenesis
    • Reproductive
      • Breast Disorders
      • Breast
      • Candida Albicans
      • Chlamydia Trachomatis
      • Disorders Of Sexual Differentiation
      • Female Pathology
      • Female Reproductive Embryology And Anatomy
      • Gardnerella Vaginalis
      • HPV
      • Male Anatomy
      • Male Pathology
      • Neoplastic Ovarian Pathology
      • Ovarian Pathology
      • Pharyngeal Arches
      • Preeclampsia
      • Testicular Pathology
      • Treponema Pallidu
      • Trichomonas Vaginalis
    • Uworld
      • Uworld Notes 2
      • Uworld Notes 3
      • Uworld Notes
  • 02 Step 2
    • Family
      • A Complicated Pregnancy
      • A Healthy Pregnancy
      • AAFP Questions
      • Derm
      • Family Planning
      • Labor
      • Postpartum Complications
      • Reproductive Endocrinology
    • Internal
      • 01 Cardiology
      • 01 EKG
      • 02 Pulmonary
      • 02 Pulmonary 2
      • 03 Pediatric
      • 04 Dermatology
      • 05 Endocrine
      • 06 GI
      • 07 Heme
      • 07 Heme 2
      • 08 Infectious Disease
      • 09 Fluid
      • 09 Nephrology
      • 09 Nephrology 2
      • 10 Ortho
      • 11 Cardiac Arrest
      • Exam
      • Uworld 2
      • Uworld
    • Neuro
      • Alpha Synuclens
      • Anatomy
      • Back Pain
      • Brain
      • CNS Infections
      • Coma
      • Dementia And Movement
      • Dementia
      • Dizziness
      • Eye Problems
      • Headache
      • Localization
      • Malignancies
      • Neuro Exam
      • Neuromuscular
      • Neuropathy
      • Others
      • Overview
      • Seizures Notes
      • Seizures
      • Spinal Cord Syndromes
      • Stroke Meded
      • Stroke
      • Tremors
      • Uworld Neuro Notes
    • OB
      • 01 Abnormal Pap
      • 01 Cancer
      • OB Cases
      • OB Uworld
    • Pediatrics
      • 01 Newborn Management
      • 02 NICU
      • 03 Failure To Pass Meconium
      • 04 Emesis
      • 05 Neonatal Jaundice
      • 06 Congenital Defect
      • Well Child
      • Vaccines
      • 09 SIDS
      • 10 Trauma
      • 11 Child Abuse
      • 12 Rashes
      • 13 Peds ID
      • 14 Allergies
      • 15 ENT
      • 16 Upper Airway
      • 17 Lower Airway
      • 18 Seizures
      • 19 GI Bleed
      • 20 CT Surgery
      • 21 Orthopedics
      • 22 Ophthalmology
      • Pediatric Nephrology
      • Pediatric Sickle Cell
      • 25 Immunodeficiency
      • Ambulatory
      • Genetic Syndromes
      • Misc
      • Neonatal Rashes
      • Newborn Nursery
      • Pretest Adolescent
      • Pretest Cardiorespiratory
      • Pretest Endocrine
      • Pretest GI
      • Pretest Infectious Disease
      • Pretest Neuro
      • Pretest Newborn
      • Pretest
      • PTT Vs Anti Xa
      • Uworld
      • Wards
    • Psych
      • Anxiety Disorders
      • Childhood Psychiatry
      • Dementia Delirium
      • Dissociative Disorders
      • Eating Disorders
      • EEG
      • Factitious Disorders
      • Impuse Control
      • Legal Psychiatry
      • Mood Disorders
      • Nonpharm Treatment
      • Personality Disorders
      • Psychiatric Exams
      • Psychopharmacology
      • Psychosis Ddx
      • Psychotic Disorders
      • Sexual Disorders
      • Sleep Disorders
      • Substance Abuse
      • Uworld Psych
      • Week 2
    • Surgery
      • 01 Ethics
      • 01 Trauma
      • 02 Colorectal
      • 02 Pediatric
      • 03 Burns
      • 03 Gyn
      • 04 Postoperative
      • 05 Preoperative
      • 06 Trauma
      • 07 Burns
      • 08 Cardiology
      • 09 Colorectal
      • 10 Dermatology
      • 11 Endocrine
      • 12 ENT
      • 13 ER
      • 14 General Surgery
      • 15 GI
      • 17 Infectious Disease
      • 18 Nephrology
      • 19 Neuroendocrine Tumors
      • 20 Orthopedics
      • 21 Pulmonary
      • 22 Shock
      • 23 Transplant
      • 24 Urology
      • 25 Breasts
      • 25 Vascular
      • Fluids
      • GI Autonomics
      • Notes
      • Review
    • Uworld
      • Class Notes
      • Step 2 Uworld 1
      • Uworld 2
      • Uworld 3
      • Uworld 4
      • Uworld 5
  • 03 Residency
    • 01 Insulin
    • 02 ICU
    • 03 Electrolytes
    • 04 Sedation
    • 05 Wards
    • 06 Acid Base
    • Orientation Notes
    • Prescription Writing
Powered by GitBook
On this page
  • Cutaneous Fungla Infections
  • Tinea
  • Dermatophyte
  • Intertrigo
  • Atopic Dermatitis
  • Bullous Pemphigoid
  • Pemphigus Vulgaris
  • Contact Dermatitis
  • Erythema Multiforme
  • Erythema Nodosum
  • Molluscum
  • Pityriasis Rosea
  • Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
  • Warts

Was this helpful?

  1. 02 Step 2
  2. Family

Derm

PreviousAAFP QuestionsNextFamily Planning

Last updated 5 years ago

Was this helpful?

Cutaneous Fungla Infections

Cutaneous fungal infections are typically characteristic for specific areas of the body and are frequently associated with:

  • Warm or moist environments

  • Diabetes mellitus

  • Obesity

  • Recent antibiotic use

Tinea

Tinea versicolor, also known as pityriasis versicolor, is a cutaneous fungal infection caused by yeasts in the genus Malassezia (formerly known as Pityrosporum). It is most commonly caused by Malassezia globosa.

Malessezia, the causative genus of tinea versicolor, is a dimorphic fungus that is part of the normal skin flora and is not contagious.

Pathologic tinea versicolor is most common in the summer due to hot, humid weather.

Additional risk factors include the use of topical skin oils and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).

Patients with tinea versicolor classically present with hypopigmented lesions that fail to tan despite summer sun exposure.

Tinea versicolor presents with hypopigmented, hyperpigmented, or salmon-colored macules on the trunk and proximal upper extremities from the degradation of lipids that produces acids that damage melanocytes.

Diagnosis of tinea versicolor is made with a potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation. Both hyphae and yeast cells are evident in a pattern that is described as “spaghetti and meatballs.”

First-line treatments for tinea versicolor include:

  • Selenium sulfide

  • Zinc pyrithione

  • Topical antifungals (e.g. ketoconazole 2% cream)

Dermatophyte

Dermatophyte (non-Malassezia tinea) infections, also known as ringworm, are cutaneous fungal infections caused by:

  • Epidermophyton

  • Trichophyton

  • Microsporum

Lesions are pruritic, erythematous, scaly plaques that have a characteristic central clearing. This gives the lesion the appearance that a ring surrounds it.

Dermatophyte infections are named based on the location of the lesion as follows:

  • Head, scalp: tinea capitis

  • Torso: tinea corporis

  • Groin: tinea cruris

  • Feet: tinea pedis

  • Nail bed: tinea unguium (onychomycosis)

The diagnosis can be made with a potassium hydroxide preparation, which shows hyphae.

Treatment consists of:

  • Topical antifungal medication for multiple weeks with oral antifungal in resistant cases

  • Oral griseofulvin or terbinafine for tinea capitis

  • Oral terbinafine for onychomycosis

Intertrigo

Intertrigo is as an inflammatory condition of skin folds (intertriginous areas). It is most commonly caused by Candida albicans.

Lesions are pruritic, painful, erythematous plaques most commonly found in skin creases.

The diagnosis can be made with a potassium hydroxide preparation, which shows budding yeasts with septate hyphae and pseudohyphae.

Treatment consists of topical antifungal medication and topical corticosteroids.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis, otherwise known as eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of unknown etiology that results in pruritus, scaling, crusting, and lichenification of the skin.

Eczema primarily occurs before the age of 5 years old and is commonly associated with other atopic disorders such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergies. Persistent eczema in the pediatric population may warrant allergy testing.

Patients with eczema classically present with relapsing and remitting red, scaly, crusting lesions on the cheeks, face, flexural creases, or extensor surfaces.

Eczema is diagnosed primarily on history and presentation alone. There are no specific diagnostic modalities for eczema.

On physical examination patients will typically present with erythematous, dry, scaly, crusted lesions affecting the face and flexural creases. Lichenification typically occurs in early childhood.

Eczema may result in:

  • Scarring

  • Lichenification

  • Secondary bacterial infections from excessive scratching

  • Eczema herpeticum due to HSV superinfection

Eczema herpeticum may affect multiple organs and may appear as umbilicated vesicles on top of healing atopic dermatitis. It is treated with acyclovir/valacyclovir or foscarnet in cases of acyclovir resistant HSV.

Topical steroids and emollients such as petrolatumare currently the mainstay treatment in eczema. Keeping the skin moisturized helps prevent excessive dryness and pruritus.

Tacrolimus and Pimecrolimus are immunomodulators used in a topical formulation for the treatment of moderate to severe eczema.

Bullous Pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease. Bullae form between the epidermis and the dermis. The pathology is not completely understood, but thought to be due to autoantibodies damaging subepidermal connections within the skin.

Bullous pemphigoid is a rare disorder that primarily occurs in individuals >60 years old, with equal incidence in men and women.

Some medications such as furosemide, NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, and antibiotics have been associated with the development of bullous pemphigoid.

Patients with bullous pemphigoid classically present with a prodromal period, which includes severe pruritus with plaque-like lesions. Following the prodromal period, which can lasts for weeks, tense fluid-filled blisters begin to appear.

The most worrisome complication in bullous pemphigoid is secondary bacterial infection, especially in patients who are bedbound. Other complications include fluid loss and decreased activities of daily livingwhen the palms and soles are affected.

The first-line treatment for bullous pemphigoid is a high-potency topical corticosteroid such as clobetasol.

When topical steroids are not able to control the disease, oral corticosteroids may be used.

Those patients who are refractory to medical therapy, Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)is utilized in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid.

Patients are advised to not pop their blisters in order to reduce the risk of infection.

Skin biopsy with Direct Immunofluorescence (DIF) is the diagnostic modality of choice in bullous pemphigoid. DIF detects IgG and Complement C3 within the subepidermal junction.

On physical exam patients will present with tense fluid filled blisters seen more on the flexor surfaces. Nikolsky’s sign (rubbing of skin resulting in exfoliation of outermost layer) will be negative.

Oral lesions are very rare with bullous pemphigoid (more typically seen with pemphigus vulgaris).

Pemphigus Vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune, intraepithelial blistering disorder that affects the skin and mucus membranes. Although the actual cause of pemphigus vulgaris is unknown, it is thought to be the result of antibodies attacking the attachments within the epidermis.

Pemiphigus vulgaris differs from bullous pemphigoid in that it most often always has mucosal involvement, has flaccid blisters, and involves the intraepithelial layer.

Pemphigus vulgaris is an extremely rare disorder that has an average age of onset between 40 to 60 years old, and an equal incidence between men and women.

Complications associated with pemphigus vulgaris include secondary bacterial infection, malnutrition, dehydration, and scarring.

The drug of choice in treating pemphigus vulgaris is systemic corticosteroids. Other adjuvant therapies include azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil.

Almost all patients present with mucosal involvement, which typically includes painful blistering and ulcerations of the lips and oral mucosa. Blisters on the skin tend to rupture very easily, so some patients will present with bright red skin lesions.

Mucosal lesions tend to occur first, with the cutaneous lesions occurring weeks to months after.

The gold standard in diagnosing pemphigus vulgaris is a skin biopsy with Direct Immunofluorescence (DIF), which will reveal IgG and Complement C3 deposition within the epidermis.

On physical exam the patient’s oral mucosa will be extremely tender to the touch and typically have several erosions on their lips, gums, and cheek lining.

Their blisters are very fragile and tend to burst with light touch (positiveNikolsky sign), which will leave a painful erythematous lesion behind.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a localized inflammatory response to a variety of chemical and physical irritants, which results in edema, erythema, and damage to the skin. It is further divided into irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.

Allergic contact dermatitis is a type IV hypersensitivity reaction. Irritant contact dermatitis is mediated by proinflammatory cytokines released due to harmful physical or chemical stimuli.

The actual level of irritation depends on the amount/length of exposure, chemical properties, and environmental exposure. Chemical irritants include detergents, cleaning agents, alcohol based hand sanitizer, soap, bleach, benzoyl peroxide, and excessive water exposure). Physical irritants include fiberglass, plant parts (e.g. thorns, serrated leaves), soil, and metal/wood shavings.

Work environment plays a significant role in patients presenting with contact dermatitis. For instance, custodial positions, health-care workers, as well as metal and woodshop positions all experience repeated chemical and physical exposures.

The clinical manifestations of contact dermatitis include dry, pruritic, red irritated skin and vesicles. Calluses, skin atrophy and even skin necrosis may develop from harsher irritants.

Contact dermatitis is primarily diagnosed by physical exam and history of irritant exposure. A skin biopsy and allergy patch testing can be used to help rule out allergic contact dermatitis and other disorders such as psoriasis.

On physical examination, a patient’s skin can show:

  • Dryness

  • Pruritic vesicles

  • Erythema

  • Fissuring

  • Blisters

  • Atrophy and even necrosis

Contact dermatitis may result in scarring, loss of functionality, de-sensitization, secondary bacterial infection, and even skin loss.

Treatment of contact dermatitis includes the identification and avoidance of irritants. Treatment also includes emollients, barrier creams, appropriate glove use, and in severe cases topical corticosteroids.

Emollients help reduce skin irritation and provide a barrier to further irritation.

Topical steroids are used in more severe cases in which there is prominent skin thickening.

Erythema Multiforme

Erythema Multiforme (EM) is an acute cutaneous type IV hypersensitivity condition that is immune-mediated and characterized by distinctive target-like lesions.

The two most important infectious causes of erythema multiforme are HSV (most common overall) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Medications of note that have been associated with EM include:

  • Penicillins

  • Sulfonamides

  • NSAIDs

  • Oral contraceptives

  • Anticonvulsants

The condition affects males more than females and typically occurs in people 20-40 years of age.

The target lesions seen in erythema multiforme appear as an erythematous center surrounded by a pale inner ring followed by an erythematous outer ring.

EM may also present with:

  • Malaise

  • Myalgias

  • Macules

  • Plaques or vesicles on extremities (notably palms or soles)

Skin biopsy findings associated with erythema multiforme include increased lymphocytes and necrotic keratinocytes. Lab work will show increased eosinophils.

Erythema multiforme can be self limiting, but treatment strategies include:

  • Stopping the offending agent

  • Corticosteroids

  • Analgesics

  • (If present) treat HSV or mycoplasma

Erythema Nodosum

Erythema Nodosum is an inflammation of subcutaneous fat that results in painful erythematous nodules, usually in a pretibial location.

The inflammation is thought to be a result of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to antigens associated with various infectious agents, drugs, or other diseases.

Erythema nodosum is most common amongst women ages 15-40.

The single most frequent condition associated with the development of erythema nodosum is Streptococcal pharyngitis.

The typical presentation of erythema nodosum involves painful erythematous nodules, usually on the anterior portion of the tibia with possible malaise, fatigue, and polyarthralgia.

The diagnosis is usually made clinically, but a biopsy can be performed to confirm erythema nodosum in atypical cases, and will show fatty inflammation.

Other laboratory findings include a positive antistreptolysin O antibody (if associated with a strep infection) and an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

In most cases, erythema nodosum will either resolve on its own or resolve following treatment of the underlying disorder.

Pharmacologic management of erythema nodosum may consist of:

  • NSAIDs

  • Potassium iodide

  • Corticosteroids

Molluscum

Molluscum contagiosum is a poxvirus that causes a viral skin infection resulting in a chronic localized infection.

The virus spreads person to person by direct contact and can even cause self-infection if lesions are scratched or touched. It can also spread via fomites.

The infection is most commonly seen in children and patients that are HIV positive.

The skin infection caused by molluscum contagiosum is characterized by painless, shiny papules with a central umbilication that are usually less than 5 mm in diameter.

The most common locations the infection is found in children include:

  • Face

  • Back

  • Chest

  • Extremities

In adults, the infection is most often found in the perineal region.

Molluscum dermatitis is common, and consists of eczematous patches and plaques that surround the molluscum contagiosum lesions.

The diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum is usually made clinically based on the appearance of the lesions.

If necessary, histological specimens can be viewed with Giemsa or Wright stains and will show large inclusion bodies.

Molluscum contagiosum is most often self-limited, but treatment options include:

  • Cryotherapy

  • Curettage

  • Cantharidin, which is a topical blistering agent

  • Topical trichloroacetic acid, used as a chemical peel

Pityriasis Rosea

Pityriasis rosea is an acute, mild inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by papular lesions on the trunk and proximal areas of the extremities and is thought to arise from a viral origin.

It occurs more often in older children and young adults and more frequently in women than men.

Pityriasis rosea classically begins with a 2-5 cm "herald" patch: a round salmon-colored lesion on the trunk that scales and clears centrally, leaving a "collarette" of scale. Days to weeks later, smaller lesions with similar characteristics appear on the trunk and extremities.

Pityriasis rosea lesions classically have a "Christmas tree" distribution on the trunk because the long axes of the oval plaques are oriented along the lines of skin cleavage.

Pityriasis rosea is usually asymptomatic with the exception of local pruritus, which can be treated with medium-potency topical corticosteroids.

Pityriasis rosea is usually diagnosed clinically, but sometimes a potassium hydroxide (KOH) examinationof the herald patch scale is performed to rule out tinea corporis (both lesions can appear as a plaque with central clearing and peripheral scale).

KOH examination of tinea corporis will show dermatophyte hyphae, while these will be absent in pityriasis rosea.

The papules and plaques typically resolve in four to six weeks.

Cutaneous manifestations associated with PCT include:

  • Chronic blistering skin lesions on sun exposed areas of the body (most commonly on the back of the hands) because the porphyrins that accumulate are photosensitizing

  • Hyperpigmented skin

  • Blisters, bullae, and increased fragility

  • Hirsutism (especially on cheeks and forearms)

Hepatic manifestations associated with PCT include:

  • Mild elevations in liver enzymes (ALT and AST)

  • Advanced liver disease in older patients with recurrent disease

  • Increased risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma

Although the characteristic blistering skin lesions are highly suggestive of porphyria cutanea tarda, the diagnosis should be supported biochemically by demonstrating:

  • Increased total plasma porphyrin

  • Increased urine porphyrin

  • Decreased uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase

  • Elevated AST and ALT

The preferred treatment of PCT is repeated phlebotomy (effective in nearly all patients).

Other treatments that can be used include:

  • Low dose chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine (for patients who do not tolerate phlebotomies)

  • Sunscreen use (to mitigate photosensitivity)

  • Avoidance of triggers (alcohol, tobacco, estrogens, iron supplements)

Porphyria Cutanea Tarda

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a deficiency of hepatic uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase(UROD) that results in chronic blistering skin and liver manifestations.

The deficiency isacquired in 80% of cases and autosomal dominant in 20% of cases.

Risk factors associated with PCT include the use of hepatotoxic agents, such as:

  • HCV infection

  • Alcohol

  • Smoking

  • Estrogen (e.g. OCPs)

  • Iron overload (e.g. hereditary hemochromatosis)

Notable pharmacology correlate: Barbiturates (or other P450 inducers) result in the consumption of heme, which leads to a loss of heme’s negative feedback on ALA synthase (the rate limiting step of heme biosynthesis), which causes an accumulation of heme intermediates. Accumulation of these intermediates causes acute exacerbations of porphyrias.

Warts

Warts (verrucae) are benign epithelial tumors caused by local infection by human papillomavirus (HPV).

HPV 1 is typically associated with plantar warts and HPV 6 and 11 are typically associated with anogenital warts.

HPV warts are spread by direct skin-to-skin contact.

Patients with warts will have well defined lesions consisting of thickened epithelium that can either be flat or raised and are occasionally tender to palpation.

The diagnosis is made based on clinical appearance, but scrapings of hyperkeratotic debris will show thrombosed capillaries often referred to as“seeds.”

Warts are self-limiting for many patients, but treatment in persistent cases can include:

  • Salicylic acid (safest and most efficacious)

  • Liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy)

  • Trichloroacetic acid

  • Curettage and desiccation

  • Laser removal

The Gardasil vaccine (tetravalent against HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18) is now FDA approved for both males and females.

Complications associated with warts are based on the specific subtype of HPV, such as type 16 and 18 which are associated with cervical cancer.