M10.04.02 Common Complaints in the Skin

Skin complaints are among the most frequent reasons patients seek medical attention. Understanding these common complaints is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. This section will cover various common skin complaints, their clinical features, and associated abnormal conditions.

Common Skin Complaints

1. Rashes
   • Description: Rashes are areas of irritated or swollen skin.
   • Clinical Features: Redness, itching, swelling, and sometimes blistering.
   • Examples: Eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis.
2. Itching (Pruritus)
   • Description: An uncomfortable, irritating sensation that creates an urge to scratch.
   • Clinical Features: Dry skin, redness, and possible secondary infections due to scratching.
   • Examples: Atopic dermatitis, urticaria, scabies.
3. Dry Skin (Xerosis)
   • Description: Skin that lacks moisture.
   • Clinical Features: Rough, scaly texture, cracking, and flaking.
   • Examples: Ichthyosis, hypothyroidism, dehydration.
4. Pigmentation Changes
   • Description: Alterations in skin color.
   • Clinical Features: Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.
   • Examples: Melasma, vitiligo, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
5. Hair Loss (Alopecia)
   • Description: Loss of hair from the scalp or body.
   • Clinical Features: Thinning hair, bald patches.
   • Examples: Alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium.
6. Nail Changes
   • Description: Alterations in nail appearance or texture.
   • Clinical Features: Discoloration, thickening, splitting, or pitting of nails.
   • Examples: Onychomycosis, psoriasis, iron deficiency anemia.

Tables

Table 1: Common Skin Complaints and Associated Conditions

Key Points to Remember

• Rashes are the most common skin complaints and can present in various forms.
• Pruritus or itching can be a symptom of underlying systemic conditions.
• Xerosis or dry skin is common in elderly patients and those with chronic illnesses.
• Pigmentation changes can be cosmetic concerns or signs of systemic disease.
• Alopecia requires differentiation between scarring and non-scarring types.
• Nail changes can indicate systemic conditions such as anemia or local infections.

List of Related Abnormal Conditions

• Eczema: Chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by itchy, red, and swollen patches.
• Psoriasis: Autoimmune disorder causing rapid skin cell turnover, leading to thick, red, scaly patches.
• Contact Dermatitis: Inflammation caused by direct contact with an irritant or allergen.
• Urticaria (Hives): Sudden outbreak of swollen, pale red bumps or plaques on the skin.
• Scabies: Infestation by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, causing intense itching and a pimple-like rash.
• Ichthyosis: Genetic skin disorders causing dry, scaly skin.
• Vitiligo: Loss of skin color in patches due to destruction of melanocytes.
• Alopecia Areata: Autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss.
• Onychomycosis: Fungal infection of the nails.
• Iron Deficiency Anemia: Can cause spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia).

Bibliography

1. Habif, T. P. (2015). Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. Elsevier.
2. Bolognia, J. L., Schaffer, J. V., & Cerroni, L. (2018). Dermatology. Elsevier.
3. James, W. D., Berger, T. G., & Elston, D. M. (2015). Andrew’s Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. Elsevier.
4. Wolff, K., Johnson, R. A., & Saavedra, A. P. (2017). Fitzpatrick’s Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. McGraw Hill Professional.

This detailed note provides a comprehensive understanding of common skin complaints, which is essential for medical students in their clinical practice.