3.3 common medical conditions of integumentary system

acne

• common in teenagers

• inflammation of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles that results in pustules and papules

acne rosacea

• chronic acne in adults

• red rash, tiny pimples, and broken blood vessel develop (usually on cheeks and nose)

alopecia

• loss of hair

alopecia areata

hair loss in defined patches

androgenetic alopecia

• hair loss that results from aging

• typically begins in frontal area of the scalp and proceeds towards the back until a horseshoe area of hair remains in the back of the scalp and temples

basal cell carcinoma

• skin cancer found in the epidermis

• very common and largely the result of sun exposure

• typically does not metastasize to deeper tissues

burns

• tissue injuries that result from heat, fire, chemicals, electricity, lightning, or radiation being applied to the skin.

• There are three degrees of burns: first-, second- and third-degree burns

first degree burn

only affects the epidermis and results in erythema without blisters

second degree burns

extends through the epidermis and into the dermis. This causes blisters to form and is also called a partial thickness burn

third degree burn

is a full thickness burn and extends through the epidermis, dermis and the underlying tissues.

Patients with third-degree burns are at high risk for infection and fluid loss.

Typically, these burns are not painful because the nerve endings have been destroyed, while first-degree and second -degree burns can be very painful.

Full thickness burns will require intensive treatment and possible skin grafts.

cellulitis

is an acute, diffuse inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.

It can be caused by a bacterial infection from a variety of bacteria that can gain access to the skin through openings in the skin.

The area appears red and is painful and swollen.

decubitus ulcers

can form on any part of the body that bears weight.

These ulcers form because of pressure that obstructs blood flow for an extended period of time and also can be called pressure sores.

Patients who are non-ambulatory and bedridden are at high risk for forming these ulcers.

They can form on the heels, back of the legs, and buttocks.

ecchymosis

is another term for bruising.

Ecchymosis is typically caused by trauma and creates a black and blue appearance of the skin from blood collecting under the skin.

eczema

is an acute or chronic inflammatory skin condition where the skin becomes red and itchy.

Vesicles, papules, pustules, scales, and crusting can occur. It is also called atopic dermatitis.

It is more common in children but can flare at any age.

gangrene

is tissue necrosis that is caused by a lack of blood supply.

It is difficult to treat and requires wound debridement and intravenous antibiotics.

Gangrene can lead to amputations of limbs if the skin is unable to heal.

herpes simplex

is a viral infection caused by the herpes virus type 1, and it causes blisters around the lips and the nose that are painful.

herpes zoster

is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus.

It occurs along a nerve root.

This causes very painful blisters to form along the nerve on the skin.

This is also referred to as shingles.

It is a reactivation of the virus that causes varicella (chickenpox) and can be prevented with a vaccine administered to adults.

impetigo

is an inflammatory skin disease that presents with pustules and vesicles that rupture and become crusted.

This can result from a streptococcus or staphylococcus infection.

malignant melanoma

is a skin cancer that is aggressive and can metastasize to other areas of the body. It originates in a melanocyte.

pediculosis

is an infection caused by lice.

The eggs from the lice are called nits and can be found at the base of the hair shaft.

The saliva from the lice causes a rash, which is irritating and pruritic.

psoriasis

is a chronic inflammatory condition where crusty papules form patches on the skin. The patches have circular borders.

scabies

is an infection from a mite that burrows into the dermis of the skin and deposits eggs.

Nymphs hatch within 2 weeks, mature, and go to the surface of the skin to mate and then reinvade the skin.

As the mite burrows, it causes inflammation, vesicles, and intense itching. It is treated with a topical scabicide

squamous cell carcinoma

is a skin cancer that starts in the epidermis. It can grow into deeper tissue and cause ulcers but rarely metastasizes to other areas.

tinea corporis

also known as ringworm, is a contagious fungal infection (dermatomycosis) of the skin that results in scaling, discolored, and well-defined skin lesions that are itchy and appear as patches.

There are many fungi that can cause tinea, and they belong to the family of dermatophytes.

Tinea pedis is the specific term for a fungal infection of the feet. This is also known as athletes’ foot.

Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp.

varicella

is a viral infection of herpes zoster causing fever and headache and is associated with a skin rash of macules, papules, vesicles, and crusts.

The common name for varicella is chickenpox, and it is prevented with a childhood vaccine.

vitiligo

is a skin condition where the pigment of the skin disappears, and the area appears white.