The skin Part 2 24 th June 2013 - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

The skinPart 2

24

th

June 2013

Dr BK

Sinha

Slide2

The Average human body is covered by

1. 5 square feet of skin

2. 10 square feet of skin

3. 15 square feet of skin

4. 20 square feet of skin

Slide3

What causes itching?

Itch bugs

Itch bodies

Itch receptors

Itch aliens

Slide4

Eczema

= Dermatitis

From the Greek origin meaning – To Boil Over

Slide5

So what does it cause?Itch

Dry skin

Red inflamed skin

Sometimes weeping

Sometimes infection

Slide6

Atopic dermatitis

Affects children

Face, back of knees,

Front of elbows

Irritable and unhappy children

Slide7

Dry eczema

Affects older people

Very dry itchy and red skin

May be all over

Slide8

Contact Dermatitis

Can be related to irritation from chemicals,

detergents,etc

May be allergic

Slide9

PompholyxVesicular Eczema

‘

Blebs’ on hands and feet

Clear fluid when burst

Slide10

Tests?

None usually needed

Occasionally Allergy testing

Patch tests for contact dermatitis

Slide11

Treatment

Main problem is dryness

Main treatment is –

MOISTURISE

Slide12

MOISTURISECreams or ointments as emollients

B

ath oils

Shower gel or soap substitutes

Smooth

into the skin along the line of hair growth, rather than rubbing

in

Slide13

MOISTURISE

The greasier the ‘cream’ the better it works, but the messier it is

Ointments better for dry skin

Use within 3 minutes of bath or shower

Use as often as needed

Lotions not as effective but less messy

Can use lotions daytime and cream or ointment at night

Slide14

Additional treatmentTreat inflammation

Main treatment -

Steroid creams or ointments

Use most effective preparation for shortest time possible

Perfectly safe as long as some breaks taken

Generally mild for face, moderately strong for trunk and very strong for palms and soles

Slide15

How many ‘Finger tips’?Both

sides of one

hand = One

fingertip unit

One foot

= Two

fingertip units

One arm

= Three

fingertip units

One leg

= Six

fingertip

units

Chest and abdomen = Seven fingertip units

Back and Buttocks = Seven fingertip units

Slide16

Other Treatments for EczemaAnti histamine tablets for itching

Sometimes steroid tablets but only short term

Creams which work on the immune system, e.g.,

Tacrolimus

to avoid side effects from continuous use of steroid creams

Occasionally tablets

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A case on an itchy foot

Been itchy for many months

Tried some creams but no better

Slide18

Ring worm

Very common

10-20 %

Treated with creams

If widespread, an antibiotic tablet works better

Slide19

Scabies

Itchy+++

Especially at night

Slide20

Treatment of scabies

Cream all over below neck

All contacts

Wash all bedding at high setting

Rarely tablets

Slide21

Problems with Sun ExposureSunburn

Long term skin damage and ageing

Link to some forms of skin cancer

Slide22

But We need the Sun!

Lowers blood pressure and that could lower risk of stroke and heart attacks

May reduce risk of dementia

Main source of Vitamin D

Vitamin D needed for

Healthy bones

Healthy teeth

May be Anti-Cancer

Slide23

The Vitamin D story

Slide24

Extent of the Problem65% don’t

get enough vitamin

D

In

the winter and spring 1 in 6 people has a severe

deficiency

Lack of sun exposure linked to various cancers, diabetes and MS.

Slide25

Responsible Sun Exposure

Short daily periods of sun exposure without sunscreen

during April

to

October

About

10 to 15 minutes

Less

than the time it takes

to

start going red or to

burn

Slide26

What else can we do?Eat more oily

fish such

as salmon and

mackerel

Consider daily supplement – containing 10 mcg of Vitamin D

Slide27

Key Messages

If you have an itch, it could be anything from eczema to

scabies

The main treatment for eczema is to Moisturise the skin liberally and to use steroid creams sparingly

Ringworm is common and treated with creams

Scabies is commoner than one would think

We can enjoy

the Sun

– but

Responsibly!