130 Unit 6: Diseases and Conditions of the Integumentary System

Verrucae

(Warts) Small, hard, white or pink lump with a cauliflower-like surface. CONTAGEOUS if contact with the skin shed from a wart; caused by viruses.

Alopecia

(Baldness) Loss or absence of hair either temporary or permanent. Caused by chemotherapy, medications, systemic diseases, aging, and maternal heredity. Male pattern baldness: Receding hairline in front. Thinning hair on top of the head. Leaving hair only on the sides of the head in some men.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

(Cradle Cap in Infants) Inflammatory condition of the sebaceous glands. Reddened skin with yellowish, greasy scales. Occurs in areas with the greatest number of sebaceous glands such as scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, sides of nose, behind ears, and middle chest.

Atopic Dermatitis

(Eczema) Typically inherited condition; family history of allergies. Appears as a rash with vesicular and exudative eruptions in children. Rash with dry, leathery vesicles in adults. Pruritis (itching) may lead to secondary bacterial or viral infection.

Urticaria

(Hives) Severe itching followed by redness and an area of swelling (wheal). Caused by allergic reaction to foods (e.g., shellfish, strawberries, peanuts), drugs (e.g., penicillin), or insect stings (e.g., bee stings).

Tinea Cruris

(Jock Itch) - groin area.

Nevi

(Moles) - dense collections of melanocytes.

Herpes Zoster

(Shingles) Inflammatory dermatomal eruption due to reactivation of herpes varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox virus) which remained dormant in the dorsal root ganglia. Reddened, blistered vesicles appear pustular, develop a crust, and then develop a scab. Presents as a unilateral band along dermatomal patterns.

Dermatophytoses

(Tinea) Chronic superficial fungal infection of the skin.

Contact Dermatitis

Acute inflammation of the skin due to irritation (e.g., poison ivy), sensitization (e.g., latex allergy), or photoallergy (e.g., tetracycline).

Decubitus Ulcers Stages of Pressure Ulcers (Figure 6-5):

Also known as pressure ulcers or bed sores. Caused by constant pressure on a localized area of skin secondary to prolonged immobilization.

Pathological Symptoms of Integumentary conditions

Cutanous lesions or eruptions. Pruritis (itching). Pain. Edema (swelling). Erythema (redness). Inflammation.

Dermis

Dense fibrous layer of connective tissue for strength and elasticity. Contains blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves, hair follicles, sweat, and sebaceous glands.

Corns and Calluses

Hyperplastic area of the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis. Corns - small, glassy core, more painful, develop on the toes. Calluses - large, less painful, develop on ball of the foot or palms of the hands.

Malignant Melanoma

95% due to chronic overexposure to the sun. ABCD of Malignant Melanoma: A = Assymmetry. B = Border (irregular). C = Color (uneven). D = Diameter (larger than 6 mm). Overall 5-year survival for all stages of melanoma is 89%.

Actinic Keratosis

Pre-malignant growth Lesion on sun-exposed areas of the body. Rough, vascular skin with a yellow, adherent crust.

Stage III Decubitus

subcutaneous tissue damage.

Tinea Pedis

(Athlete's Foot) - between toes and on soles of feet.

Seborrheic Keratosis

Benign growth originating in the epidermis. Tan-brown, greasy papules, or plaques.

Cellulitis

Diffuse, bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by Streptococcus or Staphylococcus. Erythema, pitting edema, tender, hot, red lines, or streaks Often in the lower extremities.

3 layers of the skin

Epidermis Dermis Subcutaneous

Impetigo

HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS skin infection caused by Streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureaus. Vesicular or pustular lesions that rupture and form thick yellow crusts.

Acne Vulgaris

Inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles common in adolescents due to hormonal changes.

Rosacea

Persistent redness in areas where blushing occurs on the face.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC):

Most prevalent form of cancer worldwide. Skin cancer in basal layer of the epidermis. 70% of BCC lesions occur on face.

Keloid Scars

Overgrowth of scar tissue that extend beyond the wound site; more common in black-skinned people.

Hypertrophic Scars

Overgrowth of scar tissue that remains confined to the wound site.

The Purpose of the Integumentary system

Protection from trauma, infection, toxic chemicals. Synthesize vitamin D. Sense touch, pressure, pain, and temperature. Regulation of body temperature. Excretion through sweat.

Scabies and Pediculosis

Scabies (Itch Mites) and Pediculosis (Lice) HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS infestation of wingless parasites with sucking mouths to feed on human blood. Intense pruritus and a sensation of something crawling on the skin. Lay eggs on body hair and clothing.

The Integumentary System includes...

Skin and accessory organs (hair, nails, glands).

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC).

Skin cancer in the epithelial layer of the epidermis.

Subcutaneous

Thick, fat-containing section. Regulation of temperature.

Psoriasis

Thick, flaky, red patches with white, silvery scales found on scalp, elbows, knees, trunk, palms, and soles (Figure 6-2). Caused by rapid growth of skin cells. No cure, remissions, and exacerbations.

Epidermis

Thin outer layer. Production of keratin and melanin.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers

Usually non-metastatic skin cancer on sun-exposed areas of the face, scalp, ears, back, chest, arms, and hands.

Stage II Decubitus -

epidermis and/or dermis damage.

Stage IV Decubitus

muscle and/or bone damage.

Stage I Decubitus -

skin intact, but visible redness.

Vitiligo -

pale irregular patches of skin

Hemangiomas -

proliferating blood vessels in the dermis that produce a red, blue, or purple color (ex. port-wine stain).

Albinism - .

rare inherited condition in which melanocytes are unable to produce melanin.