Integumentary System Common Medical Conditions

Acne

Inflammation of sebaceous glands and hair follicles that results in pustules and papules

Acne Rosacea

Chronic acne in adults; a red rash, tiny pimples, and broken blood vessels develop, typically on cheeks and nose

Alopecia

Loss of hair, typically on the head

Alopecia Areata

Hair loss in defined patches

Androgenetic Alopecia

Hair loss from aging, typically beginning at the front of the scalp, moving toward the back until a horseshoe of hair remains on the back and side of the scalp

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Skin cancer found in the epidermis; common and largely due to sun exposure; typically does not metastasize to deeper tissue

Burns

Tissue injury from heat, fire, chemicals, electricity, lightning, or radiation

First Degree Burn Characteristics

Affects only the epidermis and results in erythema without blisters

Second Degree Burn Characteristics

Extends through the epidermis into the dermis and results in blisters; also called partial thickness burn

Third Degree Burn Characteristics

Full thickness burn extending through the epidermis, dermis, and underlying tissues; high risk of infection and fluid loss; typically least painful but require intensive treatment and possible skin grafts

Cellulitis

Acute, diffuse inflammation of skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by bacterial infection; area appears red, painful, and swollen

Decubitus Ulcers

Pressure sores; Form on any weight-bearing part of the body due to pressure obstructing blood flow for extended time; common in immobile/bedridden patients

Ecchymosis

Bruise; typically caused by trauma creating a black and blue appearance of the skin

Eczema

Atopic Dermatitis; Acute or chronic inflammatory condition of red, itchy skin; may be accompanied by vesicles, papules, pustules, scales, and crusting

Gangrene

Tissue necrosis caused by lack of blood; difficult to treat, requires wound debridement and intravenous antibiotics; can lead to amputation of limbs if unable to heal

Herpes Simplex

Viral infection caused by herpes virus type 1 causing painful blisters around the lips and nose

Herpes Zoster

Shingles; Viral infection caused by varicella-zoster virus occurring along a nerve root and causing painful blisters to form along the nerve; reactivation of varicella (chicken pox) and preventable with vaccine

Impetigo

Inflammatory skin disease consisting of ruptured and crusted pustules and vesicles resulting from streptococcus or staphylococcus infection

Malignant Melanoma

Aggressive skin cancer that can metastasize to other areas; originates in a melanocyte

Pediculosis

Lice infection; saliva from the lice causes an irritating and pruritic (itchy) rash.

Psoriasis

Chronic inflammatory condition forming crusty papules with circular borders

Scabies

Infection from a mite that burrows into the dermis and deposits eggs, causing inflammation, vesicles, and intense itching; treated with topical scabicide

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Skin cancer starting in the epidermis that can grow into deeper tissue and cause ulcers; also rarely metastasizes to other areas

Tinea Corporis

Ringworm; contagious fungal infection (dermatomycosis) resulting in scaling, discolored, and well-defined skin lesions that are itchy and appear in patches

Dermatophyte

Fungus family responsible for Tinea Corporis, Tinea Pedis, and Tinea Capitis

Tinea Pedis

Athletes’ Foot; Fungal infection of the feet

Tinea Capitis

Fungal infection of the scalp

Varicella

Chicken pox; Viral infection of herpes zoster causing fever, headache, and skin rash of macules, papules, vesicles, and crusts; prevented with vaccine

Vitiligo

Skin condition where skin pigment disappears and the area appears white