Download Diseases and Disorders of the Integumentary System

Diseases and Disorders of the
Integumentary System
Conditions
• Some external or superficial conditions
can give the doctor clues as to what is
wrong with the patient
• These are based on color of the condition
Cyanosis
• Cyano means “blue”
• Cause; lack of oxygen
• Bluish coloration to
skin, lips, fingernails,
inferior eye muscle
• Can be a symptom of
– Hypoxia-inducing
diseases (asthma,
emphysema,
pneumonia)
– methemoglobinemia
Erythema
• Erythro means “red”
• Cause: photosensivity
or chemosensitivity to
medications, hand
creams, skin
infections
• Red spots, blisters or
lesions appear
Pallor
• Pallor refers to a loss
of skin color
• Loss of blood in
capillaries due to
shock, anemia, blood
loss, heart condition,
• More a condition than
a disease
Jaundice
• Jaundice refers to
yellowing
• Causes:
disease/damage to
liver; in newborns,
due to immature liver
Bronzing
• Bronze color similar
to a tan, but with a
metallic sheen; can
be in form of
hyperpigmentation
spots
• Causes: Addison’s
Disease & Cushing’s
Disease;
overproduction of
cortisol from adrenal
glands
Bruises
• Cause: broken
capillaries under the
skin due to intense
pressure
• Colors range from
deep blue-black,
purple and red to
yellowish-green
Oculocutaneous Albinism
• Cause: loss of genetic
information for
melanin production in
hair, eyes and skin
• Human albinos have
very light blue eyes,
not pink!
• Inherited trait – must
inherit genes from
both parents.
Boils and Carbuncles
• Cause: infection of hair
follicles with
Staphylococcus aureus
bacteria
• Enter through a scratch,
cut, or break in skin
• Bacteria encounter white
blood cells and are killed;
forms pus in a painful
nodule under the skin that
rises up
• Boils and carbuncles can
either be lanced or can
be “expressed”
(squeezed) if a white
“head” appears
Cold Sores, Fever Blisters
• Cause: Herpes Simplex 1
virus
• Virus hibernates in the
trigeminal nerves of the
face which ennervates
the nose, eye, lips and
cheek
• In active condition forms
the “cold sore” on the lip
• Person is HIGHLY
contageous!
• In immune-compromised
patients, cold sores can
spread to nose and eyes
Genital Herpes
• Cause: Herpes Simplex 2 virus
• Contagious when developing
sores or with open sores
• Forms on the genitalia and
anus
• Person will experience
“prodromal symptoms” of
tingling, itching or burning
before lesions appear
– VERY contageous at this point
• Use of Acyclovir or Valtrex,
both which can control
outbreaks
• Use of condom during sex is
recommended between
outbreaks
Impetigo
• Caused by Streptococcus
Group A bacteria or
Staphylococcus aureus
• Bacteria usually infect
area already
compromised by poison
ivy, sunburn
• Scratching affected area
with dirty fingers
• Occurs predominately in
summer
• Occurs predominately in
pre-school or schoolaged children
Mongolian Spot
• Common in persons of
Latino, Asian, East
Indian and African
heritage; 10% of
Caucausians
• Caused by excess
melanocytes in affected
area; form just before or
just after birth; areas
have a wavy edge
• May fade with age
Port Wine Stain or Hemangioma
• Cause:congenital
feature at birth of
excess caused by
enlarged capillaries
under the skin
• Can be treated with
laser therapy
Porphyria
• Cause: inheritance of
genes that cause body to
lack a certain enzyme or
acquired in life
• Red blisters, breakdown of
skin, photosensitivity,
itching, swelling, fine,
lanugo-like hair growing on
forehead and body
• Believed to have given rise
to myth of lycanthropy or
were wolves
Psoriasis
• Caused by rapid cell
turnover of the
cutaneous epidermis
due to an immune
system overload to
the skin
• Occurs more often in
adults
• Family history or none
Vitiligo
Caused by loss of
pigmentation in spots all
over the body when
melanocytes stop
producing melanin in
those areas due to
a. Immune system
destroying the
melanocytes
b. Hyperthyroidism
c. Very severe sunburn
killing off melanocytes
d. Family history
Rosacea
• Cause is unknown; not
believed to be genetic
• Chronic inflammation and
dilation of capillaries and blood
vessels under the skin
• Exacerbated by heat, food,
alcohol, caffeine, hot spices
• Skin may thicken in these
areas, making skin bumpy,
especially on cheeks and nose
(nose growth called
Rhinophyma)
• Some areas more sensitive
and may develop pustules
• Begins in teen years, gets
worse as age
• Can also occur in the eyes!