Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a common, highly infectious illness caused by primary infection with the varicella zoster virus (VZV). Diagnosis is clinical. Treatment is supportive. It peaks at 6 – 15 years and affects men and women equally.
Dr Jeffrey Kalei
Author and illustrator for Hyperexcision. Interested in emergency room medicine. I have a passion for medical education and drawing.
Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome
Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a severe systemic illness caused by the release of superantigens by Staphylococcus aureus. The superantigens stimulate an overwhelming immune response. The diagnosis is clinical. It peaks at 6 – 15 years and is more…
Kawasaki Disease
Kawasaki disease is a small-medium vessel vasculitis that commonly affects children. It is a clinical diagnosis. Stages of Kawasaki disease Stage Description Acute febrile stage Fever abates. There is also desquamation of the digits, thrombocytosis, and development of coronary artery…
Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever is a childhood disease that is caused by a reaction to erythrogenic toxin produced by Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS). Scarlet fever is primarily a clinical diagnosis based on fever, pharyngitis, and the classical scarlatiniform rash. It peaks at 4…
Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy
Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy – aka pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy – is a benign, self-limited skin condition that is characterised by erythematous papules and urticarial plaques during the third trimester or immediate postpartum period. It typically affects…
Pityriasis Rosea
Pityriasis rosea is a self-limiting skin disorder characterized by a solitary oval-shaped herald patch followed by smaller erythematous papulosquamous lesions in a characteristic ‘Christmas tree’ distribution along Langer lines. It is associated with HHV-6 and HHV-7 reactivation. Pityriasis rosea vs…
Periorificial Dermatitis
Periorificial dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disorder that is characterised by eruption of multiple erythematous papules and pustules around the orifices – eyes, nose, and mouth. Most cases are associated with topical steroids or cosmetics. It commonly affects young women.
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) – a DNA pox virus. It appears as skin-coloured white papules with central umbilication.
Keratoacanthoma
Keratoacanthoma is a rapidly growing, self-resolving, low-grade cutaneous tumour; it is often mistaken for squamous cell carcinoma. It presents as a solitary, dome-shaped nodule with a central keratin-filled crater.
Intertrigo
Intertigo is dermatitis affecting skin folds. It is commonly complicated by a secondary fungal infection. It appears as an erythematous rash on a skin fold.