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Kaposi’s sarcoma cont’d:
Incidence has increased primarily in HIV patients and follows more aggressive course
Lesions:
Flat, macular, red or indurated plaques
Any site involved – including oral mucosa
Dx: Biopsy
SECTION VIII Disorders of Blood Vessels
VIII1 Hemangiomas: typically flat/raised
• blood vessel growths often classified as flat or raised
• recognize these lesions so that you can reassure parents that in most cases the lesion is
benign and will regress with time
1. Capillary Hemangioma of Infancy (Strawberry nevus)
• Benign vascular proliferations of endothelial lining that undergo spontaneous involution
• usually appear within first few days or months of life
Physical examination:
Distribution:
• posterior neck, glabella, upper eyelids
Skin Lesions
• more common in whites
• soft, brightred to deeppurple, vascular noduletoplaque that develops at birth or soon
after birth and disappears spontaneously by the fifth year
2. Salmon Patch: (stork bite)
• very common
• present at birth and consist of mature dilated dermal capillaries that resolve
spontaneously
• Can occur in all races
Distribution:
• posterior neck, glabella (“3rd eye”, between brows), upper eyelids
Skin lesion:
• macule with irregular borders
Pg 39
V2. Vascular Malformations
a. PortWine Stain : usually unilateral
• irregularly shaped, red or violaceous, macular, vascular formation of blood vessels of the
dermis.
• present at birth and never disappears spontaneously may fade a bit.
Physical Examination:
Distribution:
• mostly unilateral and usually involve the face, but can occur at any site
Skin lesion:
• in infancy and childhood, lesions are macular with varying hues of pink to purple
• with increasing age, papules or nodules develop
SturgeWeber syndrome:
• PWS (port wine stain) involving the ophthalmologic branch of the trigeminal nerve and
associated calcifications in the brain; eye involvement often associated with glaucoma
• common, bright red to violaceous domed vascular lesions or can occur as tiny red spots
simulating petechiae
• found usually on the trunk, common in middle age and elderly
Histologically: numerous moderately dilated capillaries lined by flattened endothelial cells
• lesions first appear at approx 30 years of age
• no consequence
• Symptoms seen on tongue. If not sure, refer.
Physical examination:
Skin Lesion:
• nodular vascular lesions or can occur as a myriad of tiny red spots simulating petechiae
• bleed profusely if ruptured
DDX of Cherry Angioma
1. metastatic carcinoma
2. nodular melanoma: biopsy required
Pg 40:
VIII4 Spider angioma Often on thights/legs, like a spread of tentacles.
• focal telangiectatic network of dilated capillaries radiating from a central arteriole
•
• most commonly appears on the trunk, arms and forearms
• maybe associated with hyperestrogenic states eg. pregnancy,HRT or in patients with
chronic viral hepatitis, alcoholic cirrhosis
• may appear in childhood and may regress spontaneously
VIV5 Erythema Nodosum
• an acute inflammatory reaction pattern in the panniculus (thin sheet of tissue), around
blood vessels in (septum)connective tissue and adjacent fat of cutaneous tissue.
• more common in females 1530 years
• arises from: various infections is beta hemolytic streptococcus
drugs: sulfonamides, oral contraceptives
other: ulcerative colitis
• distribution on arms, legs, mostly flexor but some extensor
• Natural remedy: turmeric
Physical Examination:
Distribution:
• bilateral not symmetrical
• predilection for lower legs, knees and arms rarely the face and neck
Skin Lesions:
• (bright red later violaceous) nodules: oval and arciform, not sharply marginated
• indurated very hard when palpated
• tender and warm to touch
Other:
• fever, malaise
• arthralgia (arthritislike symptoms) in 50% of patients
• spontaneous reduction in 6 weeks. Individual symptoms last 2 weeks
DDX of Erythema nodosum
1. Erysipelas:infection in deeper tissue
• no nodules
• unilateral
Pg 41:
SECTION IX Cutaneous Bacterial Infections
IX1 Impetigo (scabby eruption that attacks) Note: bullous (blisters) and non bullous forms
• contagious, acute, purulent (pus) superficial skin infection most commonly seen in
children and adolescents
Staphylococcus aureus usually and rarely betahemolytic Streptococcus is involved
• Predisposing factors:
• warm, moist climate with underlying excoriated skin condition (insect bites, eczema,
varicella) Scratching introduces secondary infection
Physical examination:
Distribution:
• face, arms and legs typically but can be anywhere
Skin lesion
• primary lesions of vescicles and pustules with secondary honeycoloured crusts (scab
with yellow discoloration), erythema and erosions
Other:
• adenopathy may be present; itching is common and scratching may spread infection
Diagnosis:
• usually clinically made with finding of young child with honey coloured crusts
• if doubtful: Gram stain of the vesicles or pustules will demonstrate grampositive cocci in
clusters (S. aureus) or in chains (Strep)
DDX of Impetigo
1. Tinea : Fungal infection of skin. No honeycoloured crusts.
• central clearing and KOH positive
2. Varicella: (Chicken pox)
• varicella produces discrete, small vesicles on an erythematous base (when looking as vesicle,
can see base of blister) and lesions are in various stages, comes out in crops of lesions –
different stages.
• varicella however, may develop into impetigo secondarily because of excoriation
3. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) first outbreak: patient may not feel well, systemic symptoms
• characterized by isolated distribution, prodromal illness
• positive Tzanck test for multinucleated giant cells
• may develop into impetigo secondarily because of excoriation
4. Pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid
• found in elderly
Pg 42:
5. Allergic contact dermatitis:
• Itching (lots of pruritis)
• Has very specific border (in area where there is contact)
• impetigo may occur secondarily because of excoriation
IX2 Folliculitis **Know presentation**
• One of differentials around acne
• A bit of erythema and painful: pustule has hair trying to come trough
• Exacerbated by friction
• A variety of pustular infections (inflammation) that involve the hair follicle. No tight clothes
Classification by etiology:
1. Bacterial:
Staphylococcus aureus: superficial, deep
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (hot tub) folliculitis
Gram negative folliculitis
2. Fungal: Pityrosporum, Candida
3. Viral: Herpes simplex virus
4. Syphilitic: secondary syphilis
may occur as a secondary infection in excoriated lesions from scabies, insect bites and eczema
may be limited to the superficial area of the hair follicle or may progress to involve the deep
follicle
may be involve bacteria
Physical Examination:
Distribution:
• Most commonly on sites of friction ie buttocks can also occur on any hair bearing area
Lesions:
• Primary: nodule, pustule pierced by hair
• Secondary: erythema, edema, exudate, draining sinuses
Treatment and prognosis:
a. warm compresses: 20 30 minutes 34 times per day: effective in mild cases
b. oral antibiotics
c. incision and drainage Can lead potentially to infection. Tea tree body wash might help
DDX of Folliculitis
1. Tinea barbae
• In beard: fungus
• Very inflamed and KOH positive
2. Keratosis pilaris: often misdiagnosed as folliculitis
chronic non bacterial follicular inflammation
symmetrical on the posteriolateral upper arms, anterior thighs and buttocks
often in atopic individuals
often history of tight fitting clothing
• Often in patients who don’t sweat much
• Cold liver oil and Vitamin A
• Deep moisturizer with urea (best antibacterial)
Pg 43:
IX3 Abscess, Furuncle and Carbuncle
General: abscess, furuncle, carbuncle:
* occurs in any age group; furuncles and carbuncles uncommon in children
• organism must have an entry site ie splinter, dental work, injection sites
General: Predisposing factors:
• compromised immunity and circulation eg. diabetes, obesity, poor hygiene, chronic
staphylococcal carrier states in nares, axillae, perineum or bowel
1. Abscess
• circumscribed (can identify specific area) collection of pus which appears as an acute or
chronic localized infection and associated tissue destruction
• Key: very localized
Physical Examination:
Areas/Distribution
• can arise in dermis, subcutaneous fat, muscle or other deeper structures
• any cutaneous region
Skin Lesion:
• starts as a tender nodule which later fills with pus
2. Furuncle: (Boil)
• nodule or abscess evolving from bacterial folliculitis
• Bigger than folliculitis
Physical examination
• starts as firm,red, hot tender, nodule of 12 cm in diameter with a necrotic plug at its centre
• nodule fluctuates with abscess formation underneath a necrotic plug (dead tissue), covered by
a pustule
• after rupture or drainage of pustule and necrotic plug, a nodule with cavitation remains
• Around the “danger triangle” of face
3. Carbuncle:
• very painful, deep pyogenic mass of several contiguous (interconnected) infected hair
follicles, with formation of connecting sinuses
• Can die from this because it is very deep
Physical Examination:
Distribution:
• often occur in haircovered areas ie beard, scalp, axillae, buttocks
Skin examination:
• usually comprised of several, adjacent coalescing furuncles
Pg 44:
Other: Carbuncle cont’d
• throbbing pain & extreme tenderness
• carbuncles may be accompanied by lowgrade fever, malaise and prostration
IX4 Erysipelas = meaning “red skin”
• acute welldemarkated infection of the superficial layers of the skin and associated cutaneous
lymphatics Could draw line around it: sharp border
• if streaking is seen on skin: means that infection is moving through lymphatic system. AKA.
Lymphagitis
• most often caused by streptococcus but can also be caused by S. aureus and other bacterium
• most commonly occurs in infants, young children and older adults
• arise from small breaks in skin (entry site) ie chronic edema, tinea pedis (can erode skin,
bacteria enters), scars
IX5 Cellulitis
• deeper infection than erysipelas; into the dermis and subcutaneous tissues
• systemic signs range from mild to severe: chills, headache, fever, tachycardia and
hypotension
• can see redness, but more subtle.
Necrotizing cellulitis:
• rapidly invasive and usually heralded by pain out of proportion to physical findings Much
more painful than it looks.
• can cause severe local destruction, septicemia and possible death
*diagnosis is critical because IV antibiotics are required REFER
Distribution:
• sites of chronic edema, old scars (may be impaired circulation, damage), extremities, face
Skin lesions: Cellulitis cont’d
Primary: erythema, edema, pain regional lymphadenopathy
Secondary: marginated erythema, edema, vesicles, bullae and cutaneous hemorrhage may occur
in presence of severe edema
Diagnosis:
Usually made from the clinical findings:
• may be associated with systemic complaints of fever, chills, malaise and localized pain.
DDX of Cellulitis
a. Herpes zoster:
• pain usually precedes onset of herpes zoster
• Tzanck smear
Pg 45:
DDX of cellulites cont’d
b. Contact dermatitis:
• Not painful (usually): Itching
• Not usually involving systemic symptoms
c. Perianal candidiasis:
• Need to culture, can be indistinguishable. Could also be point of entry for cellulitis.
SECTION X Viral diseases
X1 Erythema infectiosum (Slapped Cheek Disease or Fifth Disease)
• viral disease caused by parvovirus B19
• children ages 5 15 during late winter, early spring
• respiratory droplet transmission
Physical examination:
Distribution:
• Bilateral in cheeks followed by truncal and extremity involvement
Lesions:
• primary macules, papules and plaques followed by erythema
• may be pruritis
Other:
Systemic findings:
• prodromal illness with mild fever, sore throat and malaise
Erythema infectiosum cont’d:
• erythema of the cheeks develops in 1 to 4 days after prodrome
• diffuse reticulate (lacelike) pattern follows on truck and extremities
Diagnosis:
• usually made clinically when patient confirms prodromal illness, followed by classic
presentation of erythema of both cheeks and reticulate, blanchable truncal or extremity
erythema
Treatment:
• no treatment necessary
Pg 46:
DDX of Erythema infectiosum
1. Erysipelas:
• Unilateral distribution, 1 foot, 1 side of face
• toxic or severe febrile patients
2. Rubella (German Measles; 3 day measles)
• eruptions and fever are similar and rash also begins on face but is not limited to the
cheeks
• truncal and extremity eruption in rubella is not reticulate
• rash fades in 12 days in the order it appeared
X2 Measles (Rubeola) 9 day measles
Mottled rash: covers the whole face
• contagious viral infection caused by paramyxovirus
• incubation period of 8 to 13 days
• prodrome 3C’s associated with a fever
1.Cough
2.Coryza (runny nose)
3.Conjunctivitis (redness, irritation in eye)
• fever is elevated for 1 2 days then returns to normal for 1 day then rises again, appearing
with presence of exanthem visible eruption on skin
• It is common to have a rash a couple of days after a viral infection
Physical examination:
Distribution:
• exanthem: forehead, posterior auricular ares, then rest of face, followed by truck and
extremities
Skin lesions:
• 2 weeks after exposure (incubation period is important) while cough, coryza and fever are
present, erythematous macules appear
Measles (Rubeola) cont’d:
• start on upper neck then face extending to upper extremities and trunk
• early in disease, before onset of rash, petechial eruption may appear on the soft palate
followed by Koplik’s spots = bluewhite macules with surrounding erythema seen on
buccal mucosa next to molars (not in every patient)
Dx:
• history of exposure and presence of cough, coryza and conjunctivitis with fever precedes
exanthem or Koplik’s spots (so timing is important)
• dull, erythematous macules and papules, heal with hyperpigmentation and scales
Pg 47:
***TEST WILL BE ON SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, DIFFERENTIALS, NOT ON
EPIDEMIOLOGY, ETIOLOGY.***
DDX of Measles:
1. Drug eruption:
• History of drug use
• TIMING!
• No coryza (may cough, but no runny nose)
2. Other viral exanthems
• 3 Cs not usually present
• eruption heals without pigmentation
X3: Varicella = Chickenpox
• Primary infection caused by the DNA virus herpes virus varicellase (varicella zoster virus)
the same virus that causes herpes zoster (shingles).
• Highly contagious infection characterized by successive crops or pruritic vesicles that evolve
into pustules, crusts and at times scars.
• Season: winter and spring
• Primary infection in adults may be complicated by encephalitis and pneumonia.
Epidemiology and Etiology:
Age; Majority of cases in children <10 years (90%)
Etiology: Varicella zoster virus (a herpes virus)
Incidence: 34 million cases in US annually
Transmission: airborne droplets as well as direct and indirect contact
Physical Examination:
Distribution:
• trunk, face, proximal extremities, mucous membranes
• Primary: vesicles, papules, vesicles on erythematous base (dewdrops on a rose petal)
• Secondary: erythema, edema, crust, excoriations
• Colour: vesicles: watery yellow and pustules creamy white pus; crust; brownred
• Look for crops of lesions in different stages occurring at same time
• Patients are contagious several days before exanthem appears and until the last crop of
vesicles appears
• crusts are not infectious
Pg 48:
Other: Varicella – Chicken Pox cont’d
Skin symptoms:
• exanthem usually quite pruritic
Prodrome: (what happens before presentation)
• absent or mild; uncommon in children; more common in adults
• headache, general aches and pains, sever backache
• exanthem appears within 2 3 days
History: exposure at daycare, school, person with zoster
Dx:
• clinical appearance of vesicular lesions in various stages on an erythematous base
• mild fever
DDX of Varicella – Chicken Pox
1. Herpes simplex:
herpes simplex lesions occur as grouped vesicles in a localizedarea where as varicella vesicles
occur as individual, scattered, vesicles
2. Insect bites:
• History: person would be aware
• No systemic findings
3. Impetigo:
• Honeycoloured crusts
• But could be secondary to varicella: Bacteria is introduced
Healthy children: course is self limited
Adults: can be more severe and more prolonged recovery
X4: Herpes Simplex Virus ‘cold sore’
• Acute, painful, recurrent vesicular eruptions caused by DNA viruses herpes virus types I
and II.
• Incubation: 410 days followed by development of lesions
• Highly contagious and infection occurs after direct contact with skin
• Virus spreads to autonomic and sensory nerve endings, remaining latent in neural ganglia
• B12 injections might be helpful
• Often a cluster of lesions
• High argenine diet (dairy) and almonds can trigger
• Hypericin and copper sulfate: contents of cream that travels up nerve and kills virus
(based on clinical observation). Choraphor: $90 for 10mL
• Colloidal silver may also help
Pg 49:
Herpes simplex virus cont’d:
Precipitating factors:
• emotional stress, UV radiation, trauma, fatigue and fever
Physical Examination:
Distribution:
• any skin site –the mouth most common
• including tongue, palate, buccal mucosa, gingival, genitalia
Skin Lesions:
Primary: vesicles, pustules, papules
Secondary: erythema, edema, exudate, crust, erosions, ulcers
• Grouped vesicles or erosions on an erythematous base is classic
• Compared to canker sores, herpes lesions are very round, and in close proximity to each
other.
Other:
• adenopathy is frequently present or lymphadenopathy
Prodrome: tingling, burning, itching followed by the outbreak of fewer and less symptomatic
lesions than the initial infection
Herpetic Whitlow:
fingertip infection with HSV thumbsucking children, dentists
Use Glove!!! Can develop herpes lesion on finger from examination
Diagnosis:
• clinical appearance of lesions in characteristic sites
DDX of Herpes Simplex
1. Erythema multiforme:
• exclusive oral involvement may evolve as bullae then erosions
• Target lesions
• may occur secondary to HSV infection
2. Varicella: Chicken Pox
• scattered lesions vs. isolated groups
3. Herpes zoster:
• Unilateral, dermatomal (within a dermatome)
X5: Herpes Zoster = Shingles
• Reactivation of the chicken pox virus, varicella, from the nerve root ganglia.
• 75% cases occur in individuals over the age of 50 becoming more common in younger
people
Pg 50:
Herpes Zoster cont’d:
• Localized pain, often with myalgia and fever
• Skin lesions heal within 2 3 weeks but there may be development of post Herpetic neuralgia
ie pain lasting longer than 6 weeks after infection
Physical examination:
Distribution:
• dermatomal, unilateral
• 2/3 occur on the trunk
Skin Lesions:
Primary: oval, round, vesicles, pustules, papules
Secondary: erythema, edema, erosions, ulcers, crust
• localized pain, often with myalgia (muscle pain) and fever Pain may be more or less than it
looks like it “should” be
• Skin can feel sensitive, or it can feel like muscle pain
• Clustered, dermatomal, in nerve root. Reactivation can happen in patient that is cleansing.
Other:
Prodromal stage:
• Localized Pain: stabbing, pricking, sharp, boring, itching,penetrating, shooting of affected
dermatome, followed by outbreak of characteristic skin lesions
• Tenderness, paraesthesia (itching, burning, tingling) in the involved dermatome
precedes the eruption
• headache, malaise, fever (5%) (usually just in active phase)
Active infection: headache, malaise, fever
• regional nodes draining the area are often enlarged and tender
• sensory defects (temperature, pain, touch) and (mild) motor paralysis
• eye: complications include uveitis, keratitis, conjunctivitis, optic neuritis
Diagnosis:
• appearance of grouped vesicles on an erythematous base in a dermatomal distribution
• appearance of unilateral disease and a history of prior varicella infection is classic
• prodromal symptoms will assist in diagnosis
DDX of Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
a. Herpes Simplex infections:
• both HSV and HZV have grouped vesicles on an erythematous base and multinucleated
cells on Tzanck smear
• Zoster is dermatomal, simplex is not.
b. Contact Dermatitis:
• Linear or bizarre configuration
• Pruritic, not painful
Pg 51:
c. Cellulitis:
• both HZV and cellulitis can start as edematous, erythematous areas but in cellulitis the
distribution is not dermatomal and in HZV there is usually a prodrome
Eye: referral to an opthamologist is always indicated
X6 Viral Exanthems – general term
Exanthem(a): term for generalized skin eruption occurring as a symptom of an acute viral or
coccal disease If you press on it, it blanches
Skin examination
• erythematous macules and papules; erythema blanches with pressure
Systemic:
• fever, malaise, headache etc with or preceding skin eruption
Dx:
• clinical appearance of blanchable, erythematous macules and papules in a symmetric
distribution with associated systemic complaints, occurring with or preceding the
eruption
DDX:
1. Drug eruptions;
• may be impossible to differentiate
• use history of a new agent (710 days prior) is more consistent with a drug eruption
Viral Exanthems:
• fever and systemic complaints may be present in both
• conjunctivitis, coryza or sore throat may be more consistent with viral infections
2. Scarlet fever:
• rash of scarlet fever usually occurs with high fever and pharyngitis or skin infection
X7 Molluscum Contagiosum
• common skin infection caused by pox virus
• occurs in young children and sexually active adults have to rule out sexual abuse if found in
children
• contagious: skin to skin contact
• Central depression on lesion: umbilication
Incubation:
• 48 weeks
Pg 52:
Molluscum contagiosum cont’d:
Physical examination:
Skin Lesions:
Primary:
• pearly white or skin coloured domeshaped papules, firm and smooth surfaced with central
umbilication
• lesions are usually only a few millimetres in diameter but can be larger
• lesions are usually multiple but discrete, separate, not grouped or attached
• erythema may be present if lesion is irritated
Dx:
• clinical appearance of centrally umbilicated lesions
(may require magnifying glass)
DDX of Molluscum contagiosum
1. Verruca: Verruca plana (plantar warts)
• flat warts may look similar but don’t have central umbilication and are not domeshaped
2. Varicella:
• More blisters and vesicles
3. Basal Cell Carcinoma:
• Not usually multiple lesions
• Has talangectasia
4. Folliculitis:
• Location: wouldn’t see this at end of penis (no hair). Look for hair piercing pustule
• No central umbilication
X8 Verruca (warts)
• Verruca means steep places
• named because warts look like small hills on the skin
• variety of forms based on location (genital, plantar, palmar)
• all are caused by HPV more than 50 genetically distinct types identified
eg. types 16 and 18 are associated with cervical cancer
Epidemiology:
• occur most commonly in children and young adults
• incubation period of 26 months
Pg 53:
Verruca cont’d:
Transmission/infection:
• occurs by skintoskin contact with maceration (soft skin, from being in hottub) or sites
of trauma (Koebner’s phenomenon)
Contributing factors:
• any condition where there is decreased cellmediated immunity (AIDS, DM, organ
transplant)
Physical examination:
Distribution:
Verruca vulgaris (common warts)
• hands, sites of trauma
Plantar and palmar warts:
• soles and palms; can be solitary or confluent
• skin coloured or light brown
• may be painful and usually deepseated
Verruca plana (flat warts)
• face and hands
Skin Lesions:
• firm skincoloured papules or nodules with secondary keratosis (rough surface)
• can often disrupt normal skin markings ie finger prints
Arrangement:
• single lesions or in groups or as coalescing plaques ex mosaic warts
Dx:
• clinical appearance and if doubtful, can scrape off any hyperkeratotic debris and will see
• Seeds = Thrombosed capillaries
• wart will also obscure normal skin markings
DDX of Verruca:
1. Lichen planus
• flat topped papules of lichen planus maybe confused with verruca plana
• look for oral lacy lesions of lichen planus, symmetric distribution and Wickham’s striae
2. Seborrheic keratosis:
• dark, hyperpigmented
• stuckon lesions
Pg 54:
Verruca DDX cont’d:
3. Acrochordon = Skin tag
• pedunculated flesh coloured papules that lack the roughness of warts
4. Squamous Cell Carcinoma:
• irregular growth, ulceration and reoccurrence consider SCC especially in sunexposed areas
• but if suspected, refer.
5. Corn or Callus
• also painful but translucent or yellowish
• appear at pressure sites
• No seeds
SECTION XI Superficial Fungal Infections: (Ringworm)
• Tinea from Greek word meaning moth which was originally thought to cause the
disease
• Tinea infections caused by three types of non invasive fungi, known as dermatophytes:
1. epidermophyton
2. trichophyton
3. micorsporum
Fungi: 90% dermatophytes;
6% yeasts (Candida, Aspergillus, Trichosporum)
4% molds
WE DON’T NEED ALL OF ABOVE DETAILS FOR THIS COURSE
XI1 Tinea capitis
• superficial fungal infection of the scalp caused by either Trichophyton or Microsporum
spp
Epidemiology:
• children primarily, less common after 16 yrs
Transmission:
• animal to human, direct contact or fomites
Physical Examination:
• generalized or discrete scaling areas of alopecia hair loss
• scale looks like ‘grey patch’
• plaques, papules, pustules and nodules with secondary scale, alopecia, erythema, edema and
exudate
Pg 55:
Tinea Capitis cont’d:
• hair shaft becomes brittle, breaking off at or slightly above the scalp
• severe cases may lead to development of a kerion: inflamed boggy nodule with marked
edema and hair loss
Skin symptoms:
• pain and tenderness in inflammatory type
Dx:
a. Direct microscopic examination of hairs:
• obtain by either rubbing a moist piece of gauze in an area of scaling alopecia or pluck 23
hairs
10% KOH:
look for hyphae or spores either surrounding or involving the hair shaft
Note if aggressive inflammation occurring, KOH test maybe negative
Wood’s lamp:
• bright green fluorescence (Wood’s lamp) in hair shafts only if Microsporum present (this
specific dermatophyte only)
• Culture: consider fungal cultures if obtained negatives
DDX of Tinea capitis
a. Alopecia areata:
• discrete, nonscaling areas of hair loss and all the hairs are lost in the involved area (hair
breaks off in tinea capitis)
b. Seborrheic dermatitis:
• may need to confirm with KOH test
c. Psoriasis: * may be indistinguishable
XI2 Tinea Corporis
• Dermatophyte infection involving the trunk, limbs and face
Epidemiology:
• all ages
• contact with animals, humans or contaminated soil
Symptoms:
• often asymptomatic
Physical Examination:
• small to large scaling, sharply bordered plaques with or without pustules (if someone is
scratching area) or vesicles usually at margins
• may have bullae
Pg 56:
Tinea corporis cont’d:
• peripheral enlargement and central clearing produces annular configuration with concentric
rings
• single or scattered
Dx:
• direct KOH micro exam of scale from a leading edge of lesion not the centre (look for
hyphae)
DDX of Tinea corporis
a. Nummular eczema:
• Lesions are diffuse, KOH negative
b. Pityriasis rosea:
• onset is acute
• History of viral illness, KOH negative
c. Psoriasis:
• no central clearing
• thick, silvery scales
• no response to antifungal treatment
d. Lyme disease:
• erythema migrans lesions lack scale and are KOH negative
e. Candidiasis:
• very red, moist plaques (not much scaling) and papules extend to or just beyond limits of
opposing skin folds
XI3 Tinea cruris (Jock Itch)
• dermatophyte infection of the groin
Physical examination:
Distribution:
• groin and upper thigh, intertriginous folds and may extend to the buttocks
• spares the scrotum usually
Pg 57:
Tinea cruris cont’d: Skin Lesions:
• large scaling, dull redbrown, well demarcated plaques with or without central clearing
• papules and pustules may be present at margins
• chronic scratching may cause lichen simplex chronicus
Other:
• characterized by pruritis or burning sensation
Aggravating factors:
• typically warm, humid environment, tight clothing
Dx:
• KOH test of scales scraped from the leading edge (visualize hyphae)
DDX of Tinea cruris:
1. Candidiasis:
• eruption is beefy red, with poorlydefined borders, satellite pustules (scattered lesions
away from area) and papules
• scrotum IS involved
2. Intertrigo:
• KOH test is negative
• this is an irritant dermatitis, especially in obese patients
3. Psoriasis:
• KOH negative
• Silvery scale
4. Seborrheic dermatitis:
• erythema and scaling are not as well defined
• scalp, earls, face, and chest are often involved
• KOH is negative
XI4 Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)
• dermatophyte infection of the feet usually seen in individuals 20 50 years
Physical examination:
• Tinea pedis may present with multiple skin variations
• plaques, vesicles and bullae with secondary erythema, scale and maceration