Eczema & Related Dermatoses CB EDIT
What diagnostic clue is indicative of Rhus dermatitis?
"Black lacquer" Urushiol oil can oxidize, leaving black spots on the leaves, but sometimes on the skin
Infant Seborrheic Dermatitis
"Cradle Cap" ‣Appears a week after birth & last several months ‣Scalp, face, neck, trunk, and folds ‣More inflamed & redder than adults ‣Secondary Candida infection possible ‣Minimal Sx → content & feed well
Differential dx for infant seborrheic dermatitis?
"seb derm" ‣Atopic dermatitis ‣ICD ‣Candidiasis ‣Tinea capitis
Classic chronolonigcla scheme of eczema
Acute eczema: vesiculation, exudation, no time for scale to develop yet Subacute eczema: juicy papules, starting to get scaly and dry Chronic eczema: lichenification Exact presentation depends on location, etiology, and timing
PV presentation
Almost all pts have mucosal involvement; may precede widespread skin involvement or remain mucosal Skin lesions manifest as flaccid, thin walled bullae that rupture easily Very painful but minimal pruritis (BP is pruritic) Epidermal cleaveage makes skin fragile, easily blisters
Bullous pemphigoid vs pemphigus vulgaris
BP better tolerated, PV fatal within 2-5 years
Differential dx for Stasis Dermatitis?
Bilateral lower extremity cellulitis is rare! ‣Contact Dermatitis ‣Infection
REMEMBER WITH STASIS
Bilateral lower extremtiy cellultis is rare
AD pathogenesis
Epidermal barrier dysfunction Immune dysregulation Microbial colonization Epicutaneous (and systemic?) sensitization
Treatment for Pompholyx?
First Line: ‣Trigger avoidance ‣Topical Steroids ‣Cold compresses ‣Oral corticosteroids (severe) Alternatives ‣Topical Calcineurin inhibitors ‣Light therapy ‣Hyperhidrosis therapy - neurotoxin, anticholinergics, iontophoresis Severe/Recalcitrant Disease: ‣Systemic immunosuppressants
Treatment for Mild to moderate Atopic Dermatitis?
For mild to moderate AD ‣Emollients and behavior may be enough ‣Topical corticosteroids ‣Topical steroid-sparing agents for children, face, and intertriginous areas
Treatment for moderate to severe Atopic Dermatitis?
For moderate to severe AD ‣Everything for mild-to-moderate, plus: ‣Phototherapy ‣Systemic immunosuppressive agents: Systemic corticosteroids ‣Biologic agent(s): IL-4 and IL-13 blockade ‣JAK pathway inhibitors
Epidermal Barrier Dysfunction
Genetic; but worsened by environment and behavior ‣Filaggrin mutation
Epicutaneous sensitization
More easily to form allergies
Pemphigus vulgaris
More macerated blisters, no shiny, balloon like look, not taut
Pemphigus Vulgaris
autoimmune bullous dz with a chronic course Less common then BP, may start a bit earlier Untreated=poor prognosis
Frequent clinical context for stasis derm
varicose veins, thrombophlebtis
Childhood Atopic Dermatitis
(2-12 years) ‣Exudative lesions → lichenification and xerosis ‣Locations: Flexural extremities, Periorificial, Neck, Hands/wrists and feet/ankles Sleep disturbance still common, starts to have social effects
Infantile Atopic Dermatitis
(<2 years) ‣Distribution: Cheeks, Scalp, Neck, Trunk, Extensor extremities ‣Lesions → edematous and exudative Sleep disturbance common
Adolescent/Adult Atopic Dermatitis
(>12 years) ‣Increasing trend toward lichenification "senile eczema" ‣Involvement of flexural folds continues Trouble areas may be more prominent (chronic hand dermatits, chronic facial dermatitis) As patient becomes older, there is more marxed xerosis, less lichenificaition
When to question if something might NOT be AD
-When onset is sudden (chronic usually) - Pruritis is absetn (AD usually itchy) - Distribution is atypical (AD is usually symetrical)
Dx for bullous pemphigoid
Biopsy with direct immunofluoerscene is gold standard! Two biopsies, H&E, punch from blister edge Dif: punch from perilesional skin
Pemphigus vulgaris dx
Biopsy with direct immunofluoerscene is gold standard! Two biopsies, H&E, punch from blister edge Dif: punch from perilesional skin Serum ELISA testing increasingly common
Vesiculobullous Disease
Bullous Pemphigoid Pemphigus Vulgaris
Seborrheic dermatisis
Chronic, superficial inflammatory disease that is usually mild in severity Very common, affects all age groups but worst in infancy and after puberty due to sebaccous gland activity
Seb derm dx
Clinical dx, labs and biopsy often not helpful
ICD vs ACD
IDC: Contactant is directly toxic Affects anyone Onset time is minutes to hours Dose dependant Burning, stinging, sore symptoms ACD: immune phenomen contactant is allergenic; response is immunologically mediated (T4 rxn) Only affects those who are already sensitized Time to onset is greater than 1 day Very small doses are sufficient for rxn Prutic symptoms
Seb Derm special pops
Increased incidnece and seveirty with neurological disease, esp in Parkinsons Increased incidence and severity with HIV/AIDS New and dramatic presentation in at-risk patients should prompt testing
PV pathogenesis
Intraepidermal blister formation; proteins are between the keratinocytes and the epidermis "melts" BP is subdermal
Nummular eczema
Less common form of dermatitis Coin shaped lesions (nummulus) Unclear pathogenesis Usually on extremeties, tend to be better defined, well demarcted INTENSE PRURITIS Morphology ranges from acute weeoping to dry and lichenefied, but without thick psoriasiform scale Course may be chronic but usually responds well to treatment
Treatment for Lichen Simplex Chronicus?
Local therapy: ‣Corticosteroids ‣Antipruritics: doxepin, capsaicin (not so helpful) Systemic therapy: ‣Antihistamines ‣Anxiolytics in select cases Referral to Psychiatry
Bullous pemphigoid presentation
May be polymorphic depending on stage Early stage: pruritis is common, often non bullous, may be nonspecific, may mimic urticaria Bullous phase: vesicle and bullae appear over normal or erythemaous tissue blisters are TENSE Nikolsjy sign is absent (skin does not slough w pressure) Common areas: groin, axillae, flexural areas; 30% of patients have oral involvement
Nummular dermatitis w/u
No specific workup, assess for other forms of eczema that may be noncomitant Culture and patch if diagnosis is in doubt
Bullous Pemphigoid
autoimmune, blistering disease NOT eczematous dermatoses Can be very itchy but NOT an eczematous dermatosis Autoimmune bullous disease with chronic course Rare, but most common AIBD Primarily a dz of older adults Attacks structural layer between epidermis/dermis, leading to subdermal blister formation
Nummular managnment
can sometimes be resistant to treatment and decrease quality of life Topical corticosteroids and calcinuerin inhibtors Some patient req light therapy or systemic treatment for widespread, refractory dz
Contact dermatitis
cutanteous inflammatory reaction caused by contact with an exogenous substance Clinically: erythema, scaling, edema, vesiculatipn, erosions, lichenification, fissuring
BP management
generally has a reasonable prognosis but can have signifcant negative imapact on QOL Mortality increases w age May resolve spontaneously after months to years Mild disease: super potent topical steroids, calcineruine inhibitors Extensive/severe dz: oral corticosteroids, maybe systemic immunosuppresents
Seb derm etioligy
not completetly clear but clearly sebaceous gland function is contributory, based on distribution and affected ages Suspected mechanism: lipophilic yeast Malassezia furfur which produces inflammatory free fatty acids
Pemphigus vulgaris managnment
without treatment PV generally fatal within 2-5 years With treatment, morbidity and mortality are greatly reduced although still sig In treated patients, SE of therapy are most common cause of death Systemic corticosteroids are 1st line to gain control Rituzimab being used Additional theraputic considerations include pain, nutrition, wound care and secondary infection
Labs/Diagnostics for Pompholyx?
‣ Usually clinical diagnosis Patch ‣Culture ‣Scraping for KOH, scabies
Pompholyx (Dyshidrosis)
‣"Tapioca-like", pruritic, vesicular erruption, variably inflamed vesicles Clinically distinct eczema of unknown cause ‣Hands, lateral fingers >> feet ‣Symmetrical ‣Very pruritic, can burn/painful ‣Attacks last weeks, relapses common Etiology: Unknown Freq affects QOL
List the important classes that cause Irritant Contact Dermatitis.
‣Acids ‣Alkalis, ‣Detergents/ Disinfectants ‣Metal Salts ‣Organic solvents ‣Water
Prevention of Rhus Dermatitis?
‣Avoid contact with the plants! ‣Wash skin with soap to remove resin, ASAP (5-10 mins) ‣Launder all clothing ‣Blocking products- IvyGuard
Labs/Diagnostics for Lichen Simplex Chronicus?
‣Clinical Dx ‣Lab Work only if clinical dx cannot be made
Treatments for Stasis Dermatitis?
‣Compression stockings, Unna booting ‣Topical steroids - Eczema & pruritus ‣Wound care- chronic ulcers ‣Vascular surgery - advance disease
List the Exogenous triggers for Pompholyx.
‣Contact dermatitis ‣Environmental/ seasonal change
List the ways atopic dermatitis can be maintained.
‣Counseling and lifestyle → promoting a good epidermal barrier ‣Frequent use of emollients ‣Short showers or baths in cool(-ish) water - hot waters strips body from oils ‣Avoidance of harsh soaps and excessive scrubbing ‣Avoidance of common allergens ‣Antimicrobial treatment with dilute bleach baths ‣Avoid itchy clothing, excessive dust, excessively dry environments
Maintenance for Lichen Simplex Chronicus?
‣DO NOT SCRATCH! If left alone, lesions will slowly improve ‣Educate about itch-scratch cycle ‣Warn about frequent chronic nature
Immune Dysregulation
‣Elevated IgE ‣Vast array of interleukins and cytokines in cascades
Stasis Dermatitis
‣Eruption on the lower extremities due to chronic venous insufficiency/venous stasis Early Stage: ‣Intermittent pitting edema at ankle ‣Bronze appearance - hemosiderin deposit ‣Itchy & red Later Stage: ‣Edema becomes permanent as adipose tissues & fascia become adherent End Stage: ‣Ulceration & lipodermatosclerosis ‣Scaly & pruritic - true stasis dermatitis Risk Factors: ‣Varicose Veins ‣Thrombophlebitis Etiology: ‣Sebaceous gland function is contributory ‣Lipophilic yeast Malassezia fufur - produces inflammatory free fatty acids
Rhus Dermatitis
‣Erythematous, pruritic rash, often with vesiculation (linearity) 12-72 hours after contact ‣Aerosolized, facial swelling is common and mimics angioedema ‣Blister fluid is not contagious ‣Etiology: Poison Oak/Ivy (Urushiol) ‣Risk Factors: Frequently seen in hikers and Gardners
List the endogenous triggers for Pompholyx.
‣Hyperhidrosis ‣Atopy ‣Emotional stress ‣Id reaction
Adult Seborrheic Dermatitis
‣Lesions: Greasy-appearing scale with inflamed base ‣Symmetric ‣Scalp, postauricular, eyebrows, eyelids, nasolabial folds, mental crease ‣Less common → chest, axillae, umbilicus, groin, gluteal cleft ‣Mild Sx→may itch or burn
What treatment is recommended for Rhus Dermatitis?
‣Mild cases - topical steroids, antipruritics (calamine, Sarna lotion), cool baths ‣Moderate to severe - The above, plus oral prednisone up to 1 mg/kg, tapered over 3 weeks BE AWARE OF REBOUND WHEN TREATMENT COURSE IS TOO SHORT
Risk factors for Seborrheic Dermatitis?
‣Neurologic Disease (Parkinsons) ‣HIV/AIDS
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
‣Painful: Burning, stinging, sore ‣Erythema, scaling, edema, vesiculation, erosions, lichenification, fissuring "lip-licker's dermatitis" ‣Risk Factors: Anyone ‣Mechanism: Directly Toxic
What labs/diagnostics are used for suspected allergic contact dermatitis?
‣Patch testing → determining causative agent ‣T.R.U.E: checks for most common allergens (provocative test) ‣Applied to patient's back in-office, and rechecked 2 and 4 days later
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
‣Pruritic ‣More eczema characteristics ‣Erythema, scaling, edema, vesiculation, erosions, lichenification, fissuring Can present in rectangular shape, sharply defined lines ‣Mechanism: Response is immunologically-mediated ‣Risk factors: Affects only those who are already sensitized
Differential dx for adult seborrheic dermatitis?
‣Psoriasis ‣Butterfly rash (Lupus) ‣Dermatomyositis
Lichen Simplex Chronicus
‣Reactive dermatosis as a result of rubbing/scratching →epidermal thickening Large lichenificed lesions representing epidermal hypertrophy Can happen in the context of a seperately identifiable disease or on its own ‣Erythema → in early lesions ‣One to many, large, scaly, moderately well demarcated, lichenified plaques ‣Dyspigmentation → hypo or hyper ‣Neck, wrists, ankles, hands, pretibial, genitals ‣Itch-Scratch Cycle: Lesions itch spontaneously → positive feedback loop Risk Factors: ‣Adolescents and adults
Differential dx for Pompholyx?
‣Scabies ‣Tinea ‣Psoriasis ‣Keratolysis exfoliativa
What are the stigmata of manipulation for Lichen Simplex Chronicus?
‣Scratch Marks ‣Erosion/Ulceration
Microbial colonization
‣Staphylococcus and its antigens initiate and worsen inflammation through multiple mechanisms
Atopic Dermatitis
‣The prototypical eczematous dermatitis ‣Chronic, waxing and waning inflammatory disease of the skin seen in atopic patients ‣Atopy: a tendency toward hypersensitivity reactions ‣Not sudden, distribution is symmetrical , and will experience pruritus
Treatment for adult seborrheic dermatitis?
‣Topical antifungals (ie. azoles, ciclopirox, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide) ‣‣Shampoo for scalp ‣‣Creams for face/body ‣Corticosteroids for flares ‣Alternatives - tar, calcineurin inhibitors, phosphodiesterase inhibitors
Lab/Diagnostics for Stasis Dermatitis?
‣Vascular imaging/Ultrasound ‣Culture ‣Biopsy - CAUTION (poor healing)
Maintenance for Stasis Dermatitis?
‣Weight management ‣Leg elevation ‣Compression hose ‣Regular exercise
Treatment for infant seborrheic dermatitis?
‣bathing and gentle dislodging of scale may be sufficient ‣Azole antifungals for more persistent cases ‣Infantile seborrheic dermatitis is generally self-limited
List the important classes that cause Allergic Contact Dermatitis.
‣preservatives ‣formaldehyde releasers ‣rubber products ‣topical antibiotics ‣textile dyes ‣adhesives ‣metals (nickel) ‣plants
Pathogenesis for Stasis Dermatitis?
‣venous hypertension, exudation of heme and serum proteins → resulting cycle of inflammation, microangiopathy, and fibrosis ‣Topical antibiotics are a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis! As disease becomes chronic, sensitization to topical therapies often becomes additional contributing factor