Download Diseases of the Skin

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Drug-Related Eruptions
 Adverse drug reactions manifest more often on the skin
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than any other organ system.
Topical drug reactions vary in severity from mild pimples
over a small area to peeling of the entire skin.
Skin reactions may be serious enough to cause
anaphylaxis, shock, or death.
Most common offending drugs are penicillin, sulfa,
anticonvulsants, tetracycline, morphine, codeine, and
anti-inflammatory medications.
A thorough medical history including current medications
can help diagnose the adverse drug reaction, and the
medication can be changed.
Mulvihill, Zelman, Holdaway, Tompary, and Raymond
Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
Copyright ©2006 by Prentice-Hall, Inc.
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Table 17-2: Common Rashes Caused By Drugs
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Benign tumors
Nevus (Mole)
 A small, dark skin growth that develops from
pigment-producing cells or melanocytes
– Moles may be flat or raised and vary in size. Most
people have about 10 moles.
– Moles may become malignant.
– Sudden changes in moles such as enlargement with
an irregular border, darkening, inflammation, and
bleeding are warning signs of malignant melanoma.
Nevus can be removed by excision or cryosurgery.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Raised nevus, or mole, on forehead.
(© Custom Medical Stock Photo)
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Benign Tumors Hemangioma
 A benign tumor made of small blood vessels that form
a red or purple birthmark.
 Port wine stain is a dark red to purple birthmark
appearing on the face.
 Strawberry hemangioma is a strawberry red, rough,
protruding lesion on the face, neck, or trunk.
 Cherry hemangioma is a small, red, dome-shaped
lesion. Some hemangioma regress on their own.
 Treatment options include steroids, interferon,
surgery, and laser treatment.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Figure 17-17: Port wine hemangioma.
(©Custom Medical Stock Photo.)
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Figure 17-18: Strawberry hemangioma.
(© NMSB / Custom Medical Stock Photo.)
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Figure 17-19: Cherry hemangioma.
(© Logical Images / Custom Medical Stock Photo.)
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Skin Cancer
 Basal cell carcinoma
 Squamous cell carcinoma
 Kaposi’s sarcoma
 Actinic keratosis
 Malignant melanoma
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Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma
 Most common skin cancer is basal cell
carcinoma
 Slow-growing, generally nonmetastasizing
 Generally develops on the face of people with
light skin
 Lesion begins as a pearly nodule with rolled
edges that may bleed and form a crust.
 Ulceration occurs and size increases if it is
neglected.
 Treatment: surgical removal, cauterization, or
radiation therapy
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Figure 17-20: Basal cell carcinoma.
(© Calienda / Custom Medical Stock Photo.)
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Figure 17-21: Kaposi’s sarcoma on the bottom of the foot.
(Courtesy of the CDC / Dr. Steve Kraus, 1981.)
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Figure 17-22: Malignant melanoma is a serious skin cancer
that arises from melanocytes.
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Figure 17-23: Malignant melanoma on a foot.
(© Caliendo / Custom Medical Stock Photo.)
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Squamous Cell Carcinoma
 More serious than basal cell carcinoma because
it grows more rapidly, infiltrates underlying
tissues, and metastasizes through lymph
channels
 Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignancy of the
keratinocytes in the epidermis of people who
have been excessively exposed to the sun.
 Lesion is a crusted nodule that ulcerates and bleeds
 Develops in any squamous epithelium of the body
 Treatment: should be completely excised
surgically or treated with radiation
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Kaposi’s Sarcoma
 Purplish neoplasm of the lower extremities
 Lesions are classically described as red-to-purple
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lesions varying from macules to nodules.
The etiological agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma is the human
herpes virus 8
Has been epidemic in persons with AIDS and is one of
the indicator diseases for the diagnosis of AIDS
Herpes virus has been found in lesions and may play a
part in etiology
Treatment includes sugery, chemotherapy, and radiation
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Actinic Keratosis
 Caused by excessive exposure to the sun;
more common in middle-aged fair-skinned
individuals
 Multiple wart-like lesions on areas of the
body exposed to the sun such as the face,
arms, and legs
 Treatment may include topical medications
such as Retin-A, and surgical removal of
the lesions
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Malignant Melanoma
 Most serious skin cancer
 Arises from the melanocytes of the epidermis
 Highly malignant and metastasizes early
– Melanoma sometimes develops from a mole that
changes its size and color and becomes itchy and
sore.
 Treatment: It is usually excised with the
surrounding lymph nodes to reduce metastasis.
Radiation and chemotherapy follow.
 Prognosis depends on the depth of infiltration,
previous spread, and how completely the tumor
is excised.
Mulvihill, Zelman, Holdaway, Tompary, and Raymond
Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Melanoma on calf.
(© Custom Medical Stock Photo.)
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Sebaceous Gland Disorders
 Acne vulgaris
 Seborrheic dermatitis
 Sebaceous cysts
 Acne rosacea
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Acne Vulgaris
 Blackheads, pimples, and pustules
 About 80% of the population between the ages of 12 and
25 develop some form of acne.
 Noninflammatory: the mild form
 Inflammatory acne: a constant breakout of pus-filled
pimples and cysts that cause deep pitting and scarring.
 Etiology: hormonal changes that occur at puberty
increase production of sebum by sebaceous glands
– Blackhead: oxidized sebaceous secretion
– Whitehead: pyogenic bacteria accumulation under the skin
 Treatment: Topical agents, oral agents, condition is self-
limiting
Mulvihill, Zelman, Holdaway, Tompary, and Raymond
Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Figure 17-24: A patient with severe acne.
(© Custom Medical Stock Photo.)
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Seborrheic Dermatitis
(Chronic Dandruff)
 The cause of dandruff is similar to that of
acne
– Excessive secretion of sebum from the
sebaceous glands
– Oily scalp and excessive secretion of sebum
forms the familiar scales of dandruff.
– May spread to the face and ears, and the
eyebrows are often affected.
 Treatment: Frequent shampooing,
particularly with medicated shampoo
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Metabolic Skin Disorder
Psoriasis
 Characterized by red, cracked, and bleeding
scales on the scalp, knees, elbows, and trunk
 Psoriasis is characterized by an abnormal rate of
epidermal cell production and turnover.
 Etiology: overactive T cells
– Scales seen in psoriasis are not the cause, but the
effect.
 Treatments for psoriasis include coal tar,
application of emollient cream, ultraviolet light,
the cancer drug methotrexate, and the organ
transplant rejection drug cyclosporine
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Figure 17-26: Psoriasis covering the arm of a patient.
(Courtesy of the CDC / Dr. N.J. Flumara, 1976.)
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Sebaceous Cysts
 Sebaceous cysts form when a sebaceous gland
duct becomes blocked, and the sebum
accumulates under the surface of the skin,
forming a lump.
 Sebaceous cysts are not considered serious, but
they can rupture, allowing bacteria to enter the
body.
 These cysts can be incised and drained,
although they tend to recur, or they can be
removed surgically.
Mulvihill, Zelman, Holdaway, Tompary, and Raymond
Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Acne Rosacea
 Appears during or after middle age in
persons with fair skin.
 The cheeks, chin, and nose develop tiny
pimples and broken blood vessels that
eventually thicken and give the nose a
bulbous appearance.
 Etiology: not known, although this
condition responds well to topical antibiotic
treatment
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
Copyright ©2006 by Prentice-Hall, Inc.
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Figure 17-25: Acne rosacea is more common in the middle-aged to
older adult. It causes changes in skin color, enlarges pores, and in
some cases, thickening of the soft tissues of the nose.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Pigment Disorders
 Albinism
 Vitiligo
 Ephelis
 Lentigo
 Melasma
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Melanin
 Interspersed among other cells in the epidermis
 Skin color varies from light to dark depending on
the number of melanocytes present.
 Melanin production normally increases with
exposure to sunlight causing tanning.
 Hypopigmentation is an abnormally low amount
or absence of melanin.
– The skin may be pale white to various shades of pink
caused by blood flowing through it.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Albinism
 Rare inherited disorder in which no
melanin is formed
 White hair, pale skin, and pink eyes.
 Because melanin protects the skin from
the sun, albinos are prone to sunburn and
skin cancer.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Vitiligo
 A loss of melanin
 Resulting white patches of skin may cover large parts of
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the body
Hypopigmentation is most striking in dark-skinned
persons.
As in albinism, the unpigmented skin is prone to
sunburn.
Etiology: unknown
Treatment: no cure
– Small areas of skin may be covered with tinted make-up, and
sunscreen should always be applied to the skin to prevent
sunburn. Other options include steroids, psoralen, and UV light
therapy, depigmentation therapy, and laser treatments.
Mulvihill, Zelman, Holdaway, Tompary, and Raymond
Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Figure 17-27: Vitiligo. (© Custom Medical Stock Photo.)
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Ephelis
 Freckles indicate skin damage due to
sunburn.
– Melanocytes in a freckle area are hyper-
reactive to sunlight and the excess melanin
they produce causes the freckle.
– Bleaching creams can be used to lighten
freckles.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Lentigo
 Lentigo (liver spots) are small brown
lesions occurring on the face, neck, and
back of the hands.
 Lentigo are not due to aging but are due to
excessive sun exposure.
 Bleaching creams can be used to lighten
liver spots.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Figure 17-28: Lentigo.
(© Zuber / Custom Medical Stock Photo.)
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Melasma
 Melasma occurs due to hormonal changes
in some women during pregnancy or from
oral contraceptive use.
 Patches of darker skin develop on the face
especially over the cheeks.
 The patches disappear after childbirth or
when oral contraceptive use is
discontinued.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Pressure Injury of Skin
 Decubitus ulcer
 Corns and calluses
 Pressure injuries to the skin occur when
pressure decreases blood flow to an area
of the skin.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Decubitus Ulcer
 Affects the bony areas of the body such as the
hips, heels, elbows, and ankles
 Shiny, red skin appears over a bony area that
eventually includes blisters, erosions, necrosis,
and ulceration.
 If the ulcer becomes infected, a foul-smelling,
purulent discharge is present.
 Etiology: Immobility, confinement to the bed
 Treatments include gelatin sponges, antiseptic
irrigation, debriding agents, antibiotics,
repositioning to decrease pressure and increase
blood flow to irritated area
Mulvihill, Zelman, Holdaway, Tompary, and Raymond
Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Figure 17-29: Decubitus ulcers.
(© Caliendo / Custom Medical Stock Photo.)
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Corns and Calluses
 Areas of the skin that have grown thick in
response to repeated pressure and friction
 Corns have a glassy core, are small, found on
the feet, and are usually due to an improperly
fitting shoe.
 Can be painful or protective
 If found on the palms of the hands, they are
usually due to manual labor
 Treatment: excision if painful, preventative
measures, and comfort pads and soaks
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Thermal Skin Injury (Burns)
 Fire, steam, hot water, sunlight, chemicals, and
electricity can burn skin.
 Burns are classified by the depth of skin involved
 First-degree or superficial burns affect the
epidermis and are caused by sunburn or a low
intensity flash.
 Second-degree or partial thickness burns are
caused by scalds or flash flame and affect the
dermis or true skin. Recovery requires 2 to 3
weeks and some scarring and depigmentation
usually occurs.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Thermal Skin Injury (Burns)
(continued)
 Third-degree or full thickness burns result from
fire and prolonged exposure to hot liquids.
Subcutaneous tissue is affected and the burn
appears pale or charred.
– Broken skin exposes underlying fat tissue.
– Symptoms of shock
– Healing requires time and grafting is necessary.
Scarring and loss of contour occur.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Figure 17-30: First degree burn.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Figure 17-31: Second degree burn.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Figure 17-32: Third degree burn.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Frostbite
 Frostbite is the freezing of tissue and is most
common on the fingers, toes, and ears.
 The skin appears white in color and is painless.
 Treatment for frostbite includes rapid warming in
warm water baths.
 When warmed, the skin turns red and becomes
painful.
 Tissue affected by severe frostbite may become
necrotic and require surgery or amputation.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Age-Related Diseases of Skin
 Structure and function of skin changes
 Touch sensation of the skin decreases with age
making burns and frostbite more likely.
 Xerosis or dry skin is a major problem in older
adults. The epidermis becomes thinner with age
and therefore retains less water.
 Sebaceous glands do not function as well,
adding to the xerosis.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Age-Related Diseases of Skin
(continued)
 Loss of elasticity
 Nails become thicker and difficult to trim. Hair
becomes brittle, thin, gray, and may be lost.
 Seborrheic keratosis is a benign overgrowth of
epithelial cells that is very common in older
adults. The lesions are brown and appear to be
pasted on. The cause of seborrheic keratosis is
unknown, but the lesions do not become
malignant. The lesions can be removed by
curettage.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Diagnostic Procedures for Skin
Diseases
 Identified by visual examination
 Scrapings from lesions can be cultured or blood
tests for antibodies may be used to identify the
causative organism in infectious skin diseases.
 Complete medical history including prior
outbreaks and locations of outbreaks may help
identify the allergen.
 Sensitivity testing or blood tests for antibodies
may be used to identify the allergen.
 Biopsies are used to diagnose benign tumors
and skin caner. Types of biopsies performed
include punch, incisional, or total excisional.
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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Figure 17-33: Seborrheic keratosis.
(Courtesy of the CDC / Dr. Steve Kraus, 1981.)
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Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach, 6e
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