Dermatitis, diagnostic criteria, and treatment modalities

Full Answer Section

   

• Seborrheic dermatitis: This causes red, scaly patches on the scalp (dandruff) and other oily areas of the body, such as the face, chest, and back.
• Perioral dermatitis: This causes a red, itchy rash around the mouth.

Diagnosis:

• Physical examination: Your doctor will examine your skin to determine the type and severity of dermatitis.
• Medical history: They will ask you about your symptoms, medical history, and family history.
• Patch testing: This test may be used to identify allergens that are causing contact dermatitis.

Treatment:

• Moisturizers: These help to keep the skin hydrated and reduce itching.
• Steroid creams: These can help to reduce inflammation.
• Antibiotics: These may be prescribed if there is a bacterial infection.
• Antihistamines: These can help to reduce itching.
• Light therapy: This may be used for severe cases of atopic dermatitis.

Drug Therapy for Conjunctivitis and Otitis Media: Conjunctivitis (pink eye):

• Viral Conjunctivitis: Usually self-resolving, but artificial tears or cold compresses can provide comfort. Antibiotic drops are not effective for viral conjunctivitis.
• Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Antibiotic eye drops such as erythromycin or gentamicin are typically prescribed.

Otitis Media (ear infection):

• Acute Bacterial Otitis Media: Antibiotics like amoxicillin-clavulanate are commonly prescribed.
• Acute Otitis Media with effusion (fluid in the ear): May not require antibiotics if symptoms improve within a few days. Pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help manage discomfort.

Herpes Virus Infections: Herpesviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause a variety of infections, including:

• Herpes simplex virus (HSV): This virus can cause cold sores (HSV-1) or genital herpes (HSV-2). Symptoms can include blisters, fever, and pain.
• Varicella-zoster virus (VZV): This virus causes chickenpox and shingles. Symptoms of chickenpox include a red, itchy rash with blisters. Shingles causes a painful rash on one side of the face or body.
• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV): This virus causes mononucleosis ("mono"). Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV): This virus can cause a variety of symptoms, but often causes no symptoms at all in healthy adults.

Patient Presentation: Symptoms vary depending on the specific virus. However, some common presentations include:

• Blisters or sores
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Swollen lymph nodes

Treatment: There is no cure for herpes virus infections. However, antiviral medications can help to shorten the duration and severity of symptoms. Primary Bacterial Skin Infections: Common bacterial skin infections include:

• Impetigo: This is a highly contagious skin infection that causes red, crusty sores. It is most common in children. (Treatment: Topical antibiotics)
• Boils and carbuncles: These are painful, pus-filled bumps that can occur anywhere on the body. (Treatment: Antibiotics, draining the pus)
• Cellulitis: This is a deeper skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain. It can be a serious infection if not treated promptly. (Treatment: Oral antibiotics)

Treatment of Choice: The specific treatment will depend on the type of bacteria causing the infection. However, antibiotics are typically the first line of treatment for most bacterial skin infections.    

Sample Answer

     

Dermatitis:

Dermatitis is a general term for inflammation of the skin. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

• Redness
• Itching
• Dryness
• Cracking
• Blistering
• Scaling

There are several different types of dermatitis, each with its own cause:

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema): This is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that often begins in childhood. It is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
• Contact dermatitis: This is caused by contact with an irritant or allergen. Symptoms typically appear within 48 hours of exposure.