Preface

Contents

Preface............................................................................................................................................. 2 Chapter 1: Structure and Function of Skin Structures.................................................................... 4 Chapter 2: Pigmentation Diseases of the Skin.............................................................................. 13 Chapter 3: Bullous Diseases of the Skin....................................................................................... 20 Chapter 4: Skin Cancers................................................................................................................ 26 Chapter 5: Acne and Related Conditions...................................................................................... 34 Chapter 6: Papulosquamous and Eczematous Diseases................................................................ 40 Chapter 7: Granulomatous Diseases of the Skin........................................................................... 48 Chapter 8: Connective Tissue Diseases of the Skin...................................................................... 56 Chapter 9: Cutaneous Manifestations of Systemic Diseases........................................................ 64 Chapter 10: Infections of the Skin................................................................................................ 71 Chapter 11: Benign Skin Lesions ................................................................................................. 79 Chapter 12: Genetic skin diseases................................................................................................. 88 Chapter 13: Treatment of Skin Wounds....................................................................................... 96 Summary..................................................................................................................................... 103 Course Questions and Answers .................................................................................................. 105

Introduction to Dermatology

Preface

This course covers the topic of dermatology, including the normal histology of skin and the different pathological conditions of the skin. There are numerous pathological changes that represent basic skin diseases without any systemic effects, systemic diseases that affect the skin, and skin diseases with systemic effects. This course will provide a good understanding of major skin diseases, their incidence and prevalence, and the available treatments. The first chapter of the course discusses normal skin. Skin makes up a large part of the body and has numerous functions—from protection against pathogens and extreme temperature to performing many of the sensory functions of the body. In order to identify pathology in the skin, it is important to first identify the normal structures you’ll find in healthy skin. This is the focus of this chapter. The second chapter of the course involves a discussion of pigment disorders of the skin. These involve certain diseases that cause hypopigmentation, such albinism (which involves a decrease in skin pigmentation), depigmentation (which involves vitiligo, which is the presence of patchy losses of pigment in the skin or albinism, which affects the entirety of the skin and eyes), and hyperpigmentation (which can be post-inflammatory or secondary to hormonal changes, such as is the case in melasma). Chapter three of the course involves a discussion of the various bullous diseases of the skin. There are many bullous diseases of the skin—all of which can be identified by the presence of bullae or fluid-filled lesions of the skin that can affect people of all ages, and with different presentations and etiologies. While bullous diseases often appear similar to one another, they have different etiologies and different modes of treatment.

The fourth chapter of the course will cover the three main types of skin cancer seen in adults. There are numerous types of skin cancer that are extremely rare but only three that make up the vast number of skin cancer cases. In fact, more than 95 percent of cases of skin cancer are one of three types, including basal cell cancer of the skin (BCC), squamous cell cancer of the skin (cSCC or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma), or melanoma (also called malignant melanoma). The pathological appearance, etiology, and treatment of these cancers are discussed.

Chapter five covers the various acneiform lesions and similar diseases. Acne and related conditions are skin eruptions that are papular in nature and usually involve the face. The most common acne condition is acne vulgaris, although the most common acneiform condition in adults is rosacea. Ocular rosacea is less common, affecting the eyes and midfacial region. The sixth chapter of the course discusses papulosquamous and eczematoid skin diseases. These two skin diseases represent a wide variety of different dermatological conditions that have similar appearances but different etiologies and slightly different signs and symptoms. The main topics of discussion in this chapter are psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, lichen planus, and eczematoid dermatitis of the skin. The topic of chapter seven is granulomatous diseases of the skin. The most common granulomatous disease is granuloma annulare, of which there are several clinical variants. There are other, less common, granulomatous diseases that look different from granuloma annulare. These diseases are