Dermatology - Overview

Contact Dermatitis

• An inflammatory reaction on the skin occurs after exposure to irritants or allergens.
• Chemicals like latex and detergents can cause it.
• Plant irritants, such as poison ivy, are also causes.
• Cosmetics can also trigger this condition.
• Treatment involves avoiding triggers.
• Topical steroids are used for inflammation relief.
• Emollients are also used in treatment.
• Prevention involves identifying and minimizing contact with known irritants.

Insect Bites/Stings

• A local or systemic reaction to insect saliva or sting venom.
• Mosquitoes, bees and ticks can cause these reactions.
• Treatment includes cleaning the area and applying a cold compress.
• Antihistamines can relieve itching.
• Severe reactions may require medical care.
• Prevention involves wearing protective clothing and using repellents.
• Avoiding infested areas also helps prevent bites and stings.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

• A scaly, itchy rash appears in areas with many sebaceous glands, like the scalp and face.
• An overgrowth of Malassezia yeast causes it.
• Treatment includes medicated shampoos and antifungal creams.
• Mild topical steroids are also used.
• Prevention means reducing triggers like stress or harsh weather.

Impetigo

• A superficial bacterial infection with crusting lesions, often found in children.
• Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes causes it.
• Treatment involves topical or oral antibiotics.
• Hygiene measures are also important.
• Prevention includes good hygiene and prompt care of minor skin injuries.

Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

• Reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus causes a unilateral vesicular rash.
• It is caused by a latent virus from an earlier chickenpox infection.
• Antiviral therapy such as aciclovir should begin within 72 hours to reduce complications.
• The condition requires pain management.
• Prevention involves vaccination for eligible older adults.
• Avoiding triggers is helpful if immunocompromised.

Childhood Diseases (Measles, Rubella, etc.)

• Viral exanthems with distinct rash patterns occur, sometimes with oral signs such as Koplik spots in measles.
• Various viruses cause them, including measles and rubella.
• Treatment involves supportive care.
• Some diseases have preventive vaccines, like MMR.
• Prevention is achieved through vaccination programs.

Folliculitis

• It is the inflammation or infection of hair follicles that causes pustules and itch.
• Bacteria such as Staphylococcus causes it.
• Friction can be a cause, as well as occlusion.
• Treatment involves antibacterial soap.
• Topical or oral antibiotics are used if needed.
• Prevention involves proper hygiene and avoiding tight clothing.

Acne

• Plugging and inflammation of pilosebaceous units results in comedones, papules, or pustules.
• Hormonal changes, genetics, and some medications cause this.
• Treatment involves topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide.
• Oral antibiotics or isotretinoin are also used for severe cases.
• Prevention consists of gentle skin care, avoiding picking lesions, and managing triggers.

Rosacea

• A chronic facial skin disorder that causes redness, flushing, and sometimes papules or pustules.
• The exact cause is unknown.
• Triggers include sun, alcohol, spicy foods, and stress.
• Treatment involves avoiding triggers and using topical metronidazole.
• Oral antibiotics and laser therapy for telangiectasia are also treatment forms.
• Prevention includes protective measures against known triggers.

Perioral Dermatitis

• A red, scaly rash around the mouth, sometimes nose or eyes.
• Topical steroids and heavy facial creams cause it.
• Immunological factors, and possibly microbes can cause this.
• Treatment involves stopping irritants like steroids, creams, and topical or oral antibiotics.
• Prevention means avoiding prolonged topical steroid use on the face and maintaining a mild skincare routine.

Lichen Planus

• An immune-mediated condition with flat, purple, pruritic papules and white lacy patches, often on wrists or oral mucosa.
• It has an autoimmune basis with an unknown trigger.
• Treatment involves topical or systemic steroids.
• Immunosuppressants are used in severe cases.
• There is no definitive prevention, but stress management may help reduce flares.

Psoriasis

• A chronic inflammatory skin disease with well-demarcated, scaly plaques on extensor surfaces like knees, elbows, and scalp.
• It is due to autoimmune mechanisms and genetic predisposition.
• Treatment involves emollients and topical steroids.
• Vitamin D analogues and phototherapy are also treatments, as well as systemic agents in severe cases.
• It is not strictly preventable, but triggers like stress and skin trauma can worsen flares.

Lupus Erythematosus (LE)

• An autoimmune disease where discoid lupus affects skin only, while systemic lupus can involve multiple organs.
• It is caused by autoimmune dysfunction, possibly triggered by UV light or genetics.
• Treatment uses topical or systemic steroids and immunosuppressants.
• Sun protection is important.
• Prevention is avoiding excessive sun exposure and managing triggers.

Erythema Multiforme (EM)

• An acute, self-limiting condition with target lesions, often triggered by infections such as HSV or medications.
• An immune response to infections or drugs causes this condition.
• Treatment includes identifying and removing the trigger.
• Supportive care and sometimes steroids may have to be provided.
• Prevention is prophylaxis in recurrent HSV-induced EM if indicated.

Bullous Diseases (Pemphigoid, Pemphigus)

• Autoimmune blistering disorders affecting skin and mucous membranes.
• Autoantibodies targeting structural proteins in skin layers causes this condition.
• Treatment involves high-potency topical or systemic steroids and immunosuppressants.
• Not specifically preventable, but early diagnosis helps minimize complications.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis

• Intensively pruritic, blistering rash linked with coeliac disease.
• An autoimmune reaction to gluten in genetically predisposed individuals causes the conditions.
• Treatment involves a gluten-free diet and dapsone.
• Prevention involves maintaining a strict gluten-free diet if coeliac disease is confirmed.

Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

• A chronic inflammatory skin disorder with itchiness, dryness, and often part of the atopic triad with asthma and hay fever.
• It is caused by genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental triggers.
• Treatment uses emollients and topical steroids.
• Avoiding irritants is also important.
• Prevention includes moisturizing, allergen avoidance, and controlling triggers.

Urticaria (Hives)

• Raised, red, itchy wheals on the skin that can be acute or chronic.
• Allergic triggers such as foods, drugs, and stings cause it.
• Physical factors or idiopathic factors can be causal.
• Treatment involves antihistamines.
• Avoidance of known allergens is also important.
• Epinephrine is needed if severe (anaphylaxis).
• Prevention involved identifying triggers and carrying emergency medication if needed.

Heat Rash (Miliaria)

• Small, itchy bumps due to blocked sweat ducts in hot or humid conditions.
• Excessive sweating and occlusion causes it.
• Treatment includes cooling down, wearing loose clothing, and applying calamine lotion if needed.
• Prevention includes keeping skin cool and avoiding overheating.

Seborrheic Keratosis

• A very common benign skin growth with a “stuck-on” appearance, often in older adults.
• The cause is unknown but linked to aging.
• Generally, no treatment is required unless irritated or cosmetically undesired, in which case cryotherapy or curettage can solve this.
• There is no specific prevention, and these are common benign growths.

Skin Tags (Acrochordons)

• Small, soft, pedunculated skin growths in areas of friction (neck, axillae).
• Friction, genetics, and possibly insulin resistance cause them.
• Often removed for cosmetic reasons or if irritated (snip excision, cryotherapy).
• Reducing friction (e.g., weight management) may help, but is not guaranteed.

Warts

• Small, rough skin growths caused by HPV.
• Human papillomavirus infecting the epidermis causes this.
• Treatment involves cryotherapy, salicylic acid, or other destructive methods, however they can be persistent.
• Prevention involves avoiding direct contact with warts and keeping skin healthy and unbroken.

Cherry Angioma

• Bright red papules formed by benign vascular proliferation
• The cause is unclear, possibly genetics and age-related
• Treatment is not necessary unless bleeding or a cosmetic concern exists (laser removal).
• There is no specific prevention, and these are generally harmless.

Ephelis (Freckles)

• Flat, pigmented spots on sun-exposed areas.
• Increased melanin production, triggered by sunlight and genetic factors, causes them.
• No treatment is needed; cosmetic options exist.
• Prevention means sun protection (sunscreens, hats).

Lentigo Solar

• Sun spots due to chronic UV exposure and age.
• Cumulative sun damage causes them.
• Cosmetic removal (e.g., laser) can remove them if desired; otherwise harmless
• Prevention involves sun protection (SPF, limited tanning).

Systemic Disease-Related Hyperpigmentation (e.g., Addison’s)

• Generalized or localized darkening of the skin.
• Underlying endocrine disorders like Addison’s disease causes them.
• Treatment involves addressing the underlying systemic disease.
• Not directly preventable unless controlling the primary disease.

Melanocytic Naevi (Moles)

• Proliferations of melanocytes (pigment cells) that can be congenital or acquired.
• Genetics, possibly influenced by hormones or immunosuppressive drugs, causes them.
• Usually, no treatment unless suspicious changes are noted; surgical excision if necessary.
• Sun protection can reduce the risk of atypical transformation.

Malignant Melanoma

• A potentially lethal skin cancer arising from melanocytes that can metastasize quickly.
• UV radiation and genetic predisposition can cause it.
• Surgical excision with adequate margins is treatment.
• Advanced disease may require immunotherapy or targeted therapy.
• Prevention involves vigilant sun protection, self-exams, and early detection

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

• The Most common form of skin cancer, it is slow-growing but locally invasive.
• Chronic sun exposure, fair skin, and older age causes this.
• Treatment involves surgical excision, curettage, cryotherapy, or radiotherapy.
• Prevention involves sun protection and monitoring suspicious lesions early.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

• A malignant tumor of keratinocytes can metastasize if not caught early.
• Sun exposure, immunosuppression, older age, and smoking cause this.
• Treatment involves surgical excision, often with wider margins than with BCC, and sometimes radiotherapy.
• Prevention includes sun protection and avoidance of risk factors like tobacco and excessive UV.