Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a chronic/relapsing dermatitis that affects the sebaceous glands of the scalp, face, and trunk. It presents as erythematous plaques with greasy, yellowish scales. Malassezia yeast colonisation plays a role in the development of seborrhoeic dermatitis, alongside genetic…
Scabies is caused by the arachnid mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It commonly affects children and young adults, and is spread by prolonged skin contact.
Porphyria cutanea tarda is a blistering cutaneous photosensitivity. It is the most common porphyria. It is caused by a defect in uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase or hepatic damage.
Pompholyxis is a type of eczema that affects the hands and feet. It presents as pruritic vesicles affecting the palms (cheiropompholyx) and the feet (pedopompholyx)
Shingles is an acute, unilateral, painful blistering rash caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV). It peaks at 70+ years and affects men and women equally. Phases of shingles Phase Description Prodrome Crusting within 10 – 12 days of…
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.
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 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 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 – 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…