Chapter III - Dermatology

COMMON SKIN CONDITIONS AND PATHOLOGY

Hope, by far you must have known a little more about our skin, its functions, its use, its anatomy and physiology.
There is still much to know and much to write about but we will first make a quick note of some of the common
skin conditions and diseases that come across during routine transcription.

So lets now have a sneak preview of some of the few pathological conditions of the skin.

COMMON SKIN CONDITIONS AND PATHOLOGY

Albinism
Albinism is a genetic and/or hereditary pigment disorder in which melanocytes, cells that produce chemical called
melanin and that are responsible for giving color to the skin, are present but they do not produce melanin.
Characteristics of people with this disorder are white hair, pale, very light skin and pink eyes. Because of improper
melanin formation, such individuals are very susceptible to skin cancers as skin and melanic act as an ultraviolet
light filter for the body. Though medical science has advanced, but for albinism there is no medical treatment
available still.

Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma:

Basal cell carcinoma is the most prevalent type of skin malignancy. It arises from the malignancy of the basal cell
layer of the lowest part of epidermis. Excessive exposure to sun's ultraviolet rays is the most common cause of
basal cell carcinoma. It may appear as a skin sore or firm lump that does not heal. Basal cell carcinoma progress
slowly and hence, is readily curable if detected early. Squamous cell carcinoma originates in the cells that form the
skin's outer surface. It may appear as a scaly or crusty patch that may develop most often on the rim of the ear,
mouth, or scalp. Squamous cell carcinoma can sometimes also invade nearby organs.

Decubitus ulcers (bed sores, pressure sores)

People who are bedridden, confined to the wheelchair, lacking sensation because of paralysis, and who cannot or do
not change their positions every few hours, their blood flow is reduced consequent to prolonged pressure. This
results in cell death, skin thickening, consequently leading to blisters and open sores and, finally to skin ulceration
called bedsores or pressure sores. These ulcers occur mostly at places where the bone is close to the skin, such as
heels, ankle, hip, shoulder, elbow, and base of the spine. Advance bedsores may require debridement to remove

dead tissue, whereas in early stages, they can be treated with special gels or antibiotics.

Eczema
Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease with lesions that may be erythematous, scaly, blistering, thickened, crusty,
oozing, or itchy. These symptoms may exist in combination or singly. Anti-inflammatories are often prescribed in
their treatment. Topical medications may include coal tar and a cortisone cream, hydrocortisone. If bacterial
infection has set in as a result of scratching, then antibiotics may be prescribed.

Impetigo
Impetigo is a contagious skin infection caused by either staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria, characterized by
many small, isolated, itchy blisters, some of which may contain pus. When these blisters break, a characteristic
yellow crust forms. Diagnosis can be made by inspecting the lesions and confirmed by scraping off a sample of cells
from the sores for laboratory exam. Impetigo is most common among in infants and children. This infection in early
stages affects only a small area and hence, can be treated with topical antibiotic ointments, such as mupirocin
(Bactroban). In certain cases, oral antibiotics like penicillin and cephalosporins may be prescribed.

Kaposis sarcoma
Kaposis sarcoma is a cancer in which malignant cells appear as red and purple patches under the skin or mucous
membranes. The lesions of Kaposis sarcoma originate mostly on the leg and then may spread to lungs, liver,
intestinal tract, or lymph nodes. The skin lesions themselves are painful. They can be accompanied by swelling,
edema, and low-grade fever.

Melanoma
Melanoma is most lethal form of cancerous growth. It develops when the melanocytes (pigment cells) undergo
malignant changes. Melanoma can frequently metastasize to other organs such as liver, brain, lungs, and other
internal organs. Sunlight exposure is considered to be a leading contributing factor of this disease. Surgery is the
most effective treatment for this disease. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are used in addition to surgery to
treat melanoma.

Miliaria
Miliaria, also known as heat rash or prickly heat, is a skin condition characterized by clusters of tiny blisters filled
with perspiration, mostly on the armpits and groin, sometimes also on chest, waist, and back. These blisters are
formed when pores become blocked and sweat cannot be released from them. The heat rash is itchy. Remedies

that alleviate itching and cool the skin work well for miliaria.

Pruritus
Pruritus is an itching sensation in the skin. It can be caused by a number of local factors ranging from insect bites,
allergic reaction, dry skin, eczema to infectious diseases, or systemic problems.

Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder in which patches of skin become red and covered with dry silvery scales. The
skin makes new cells so fast with psoriasis that they form silvery scales. The psoriatic patches form initially on the
scalp, behind the ears, on the back of neck, on the elbows and knees, and near the nails of fingers and toes. The
cause of psoriasis is unknown. In some cases, psoriasis is characterized by blisters usually on palms, and soles and
is called pustular psoriasis.

Purpura
Any vascular bleeding disorder characterized by hemorrhage in the tissue, particularly beneath skin tissue and
showing up as bruises, ranging from tiny reddish or purplish spots called petechia to large hemorrhagic patches
called ecchymosis is called purpura. Most types of vascular bleedings or purpuras are due to temporary change in
the blood composition of platelets or rupturing of blood vessel walls because of deterioration of tissue making the
vessel wall. Several types of purpura are purpura simplex (mostly hereditary), senile purpura (due to aging), allergic purpura (due to allergy), and idiopathic cytopenic purpura. Acute idiopathic cytopenic purpura affects children
and follows a viral infection that has a reduced number of platelets, which are instrumental in blood clotting.
Chronic idiopathic thrombocytic purpura affects mostly women in the age group 20-40 and is an autoimmune
disorder in which platelets are destroyed.

Scabies
Scabies is a contagious, intensely itchy and highly infectious parasitic skin disease caused by itch mite, Sarcoptes
scabiei. The mite is most often transferred by direct skin contact, especially during sexual activity, and less often by
indirect contact like sharing clothing or a towel. The female mite looks for places in skin, which are thickest,
especially at the palms and soles to reproduce. It burrows a tunnel under the skin in which she deposits her eggs.
Larvae hatch within 2 to 4 days. The characteristic itchy rash is caused perhaps due to hypersensitivity to eggs, or
waste products or mites and larvae. Potent parasite-killer medications like gamma benzene hexachloride and
lindane are used to destroy mites and their eggs. However, nowadays, milder but equally effective drugs such as
permethrin are used.

Skin lesions
Lesions are the pathological conditions resulting from a wound or injury. Primarily, the skin lesions can be classified
into the following

Macule: A circumscribed lesion of any size, which is flat and discolored and which is nonpalpable.
Papule: A small, solid, raised skin lesion less than 1 cm in size.
Nodule: Palpable raised skin lesion, 1-2 cm in diameter that is larger than papule
Vesicle: Elevated skin lesion that contains fluid, less than 0.5 cm.
Bulla: Elevated lesion containing fluid greater than 0.5 cm; blisters containing clear fluid. Pustule: Elevated skin
lesion containing pus; abscess.
Tumor: Elevated skin lesion greater than 2 cm in diameter.
Scale: Excessive dry exfoliation from the upper layer of skin.
Wheal: A raised, red lesion, usually accompanied by itching.
Fissure: Small break in epidermis, arack-like sore exposing the dermis.
Ulcer: Lesion caused on the surface of the skin or mucosa caused by superficial loss of tissues accompanied by inflammation.

Tinea (Ringworm Infection)

Tinea is any fungal skin infection, caused by dermatophytes. The name of the fungus indicates the body part it
affects. The fungi can infect the scalp (Tinea calpitis), the beard (Tinea barbae), the skin (Tinea corporis), the groin
area (Tinea cruris), the feet (Tinea pedis a.k.a. athlete foot), or fingernails or toenails (Tinea unguium). Tinea
infections can be identified by the distinctive appearance of their lesions. As they most often produce round lesions,
hence, the name ringworm. Most Tinea infections can be treated with antifungal drugs like clotrimazole, nystatin,
and miconazole.

Urticaria (Hives)
Urticaria is an allergic skin disorder, characterized raised pink or pale red lesions with a flat top. Hives are warm
and itchy to touch and normally range in size from one-fourth of inch to 1-1/2 inch. Hives are most often caused by
food allergies. They can also develop in response to certain drugs, such as penicillin, aspirin, etc; or in response to
contact with insect bites, cats, exposure to detergents or dry cleaning chemicals on clothes. Skin tests performed
by an allergist can help in identifying the substance responsible for hives. Hives usually disappear on their own
within one to seven days. To alleviate the symptoms, itching, antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine,

hydroxyzine, and cyproheptadine are prescribed. In severe cases, corticosteroids, such as prednisone may be
prescribed.

Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a pigment disorder characterized by area of hypopigmentation, which develop when melanocytes are
damaged. Hypopigmentation may range from small patches to large sections that cover most of the body.
Combination of drug and light therapy is used, in which a drug is administered and followed by exposure to the
ultraviolet light. This drug is activated by light and stimulates re-pigmentation by increasing the availability of
melanocytes at skin surface. If vitiligo consists of only small, scattered patches, drugs to stimulate pigmentation
may be applied directly to the affected skin and areas then exposed to the sunlight. In those with vitiligo covering
more than half the body, depigmentation is done by bleaching the rest of the skin.

Warts
Warts are epidermal growths caused by strains of HPV (human papilloma virus), which infect the epithelial cells of
skin and then prompt them to multiply. The virus can spread abnormally and very fast from one person to another
by direct contact. Veruccae vulgaris, the most prevalent form, develops on fingers, elbows, face and knees. Other
types of warts are filiform, flat, pedunculated, periungual, plantar, venereal, and laryngeal. Majority of the warts
are benign. Warts can be quickly removed by burning them with electrocautery, laser surgery, cryosurgery, but
about one-third may recur.

A many of the common skin pathology has been covered above. So now lets
learn about a few of the common and widely performed skin procedures in
the next chapter.