Homeostatic Imbalances of Skin

Flashcards covering infections, allergies, burns, skin cancer, and developmental aspects of the skin.

Athlete’s foot

Fungal infection (Tinea pedis) causing itchy, red peeling skin between the toes.

Boils (furuncles) and carbuncles

Inflammation of hair follicles; carbuncles are clusters of boils caused by bacteria.

Cold sores (fever blisters)

Caused by human herpesvirus 1; blisters itch and sting.

Contact dermatitis

Caused by exposure to chemicals that provoke allergic responses; itching, redness, and swelling of the skin.

Impetigo

Bacterial infection causing pink, fluid-filled raised lesions around the mouth/nose.

Psoriasis

Triggered by trauma, infection, hormonal changes, or stress; red, epidermal lesions covered with dry, silvery scales that itch, burn, crack, or sometimes bleed.

Burns

Tissue damage and cell death caused by heat, electricity, UV radiation, or chemicals.

Rule of nines

Body is divided into 11 areas for quick estimation of burn extent, each area representing about 9 percent of total body surface area, with the perineum representing 1 percent.

First-degree burn

Only epidermis is damaged; skin is red and swollen.

Second-degree burn

Epidermis and superficial part of dermis are damaged; skin is red, painful, and blistered; regrowth of the epithelium can occur.

Third-degree burn

Destroys epidermis and dermis; burned area is painless; requires skin grafts, as regeneration is not possible; burned area is blanched (gray-white) or black.

Fourth-degree burn

Extends into deeper tissues (bone, muscle, tendons); appears dry and leathery; requires surgery and grafting; may require amputation.

Skin cancer

Most common form of cancer in humans; most important risk factor is overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight and tanning beds.

Benign

Neoplasm (tumor) has not spread.

Malignant

Neoplasm has invaded other body areas.

Basal cell carcinoma

Least malignant and most common type of skin cancer; arises from cells in stratum basale that are altered so that they can no longer make keratin; lesions appear as shiny, dome-shaped nodules that develop a central ulcer.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Believed to be induced by UV exposure; arises from cells of stratum spinosum; lesions appear as scaly, reddened papules that gradually form shallow ulcers; early removal allows a good chance of cure; metastasizes to lymph nodes if not removed.

Malignant melanoma

Most deadly of skin cancers, but accounts for only 5 percent of skin cancers; cancer of melanocytes; metastasizes rapidly to lymph and blood vessels; detection uses ABCDE rule for recognizing melanoma.

Asymmetry (A)

Two sides of pigmented mole do not match (ABCDE rule).

Border irregularity (B)

Borders of mole are not smooth (ABCDE rule).

Color (C)

Different colors in pigmented area (ABCDE rule).

Diameter (D)

Spot is larger than 6 millimeters in diameter (ABCDE rule).

Evolution (E)

One or more of the ABCD characteristics is evolving (ABCDE rule).

Lanugo

Downy hair that covers the body by the fifth or sixth month of fetal development but disappears by birth.

Vernix caseosa

Oily covering that is apparent at birth.

Milia

Small white spots that are common at birth and disappear by the third week.

Alopecia

Balding that occurs with aging; genetically determined; other factors that may contribute include drugs and emotional stress.