Introduction Onchocerciasis otherwise called River Blindness is a common chronic filarial disease in tropical regions which frequently causes pruritus and blindness. Causative organism of this disease condition is Onchocerca volvulus. The microfilariae are transmitted by female Simulium, tiny black flies which breed along small, rapidly moving streams. Female worms release motile microfilariae into the skin, … Read more
Introduction Myiasis is the parasitic infestation of the body of a live animal by fly larvae (maggots) which grow inside the host while feeding on its tissue. Furuncular myiasis may be caused by: Dermatobia hominisor the Tumbu fly Cordylobia anthropophaga Larvae of Dermatobia hominis are often transferred by mosquitoes. Usual host of this larva is … Read more
Introduction Dracunculiasis otherwise called Guinea worm disease is an infection by a very long nematode, Dracunculus medinensis. It is contracted through drinking water contaminated with water fleas (cyclops) infected with Dracunculus. Except for remote villages in Rajastan desert of India and Yemen the disease is now only seen in Africa, between the Sahara and Equator. … Read more
Introduction Cutaneous larva migrans is an infection of the skin by various nematode larvae which migrate, but never reach internal organs or complete their life cycles. Migration leads to twisting, winding linear skin lesions produced by the burrowing of larvae. Victims of cutaneous larva migrans are usually: People who go barefoot at the beaches Children … Read more
Introduction Exfoliative Dermatitis refers to the involvement of all or most of the skin surface by a scaly erythematous dermatitis. It is usually a secondary or reactive process to an underlying cutaneous or systemic disease. Some causes of exfoliative dermatitis Contact dermatitis Atopic eczema Seborrhoeic dermatitis Drug eruptions Lichen planus and lichenoid eruptions Pediculosis corporis … Read more
What is contact dermatitis? Contact Dermatitis is an acute or chronic dermatitis that results from direct skin contact with chemicals or allergens. These agents could be Chemicals, Animal or plant products, Physical agents like heat, cold, ultraviolet rays or ionizing radiation. Classification of Contact dermatitis Contact dermatitis is classified as: Irritant dermatitis Acute irritant dermatitis, … Read more
Introduction Atopic dermatitis (also called Atopic Eczema) is an inflammation of the superficial dermis and epidermis, leading to disruption of the skin. Dermatitis and eczema are used interchangeably, although eczema was initially used to refer to blistering dermatitis, being derived from a Greek term meaning ‘to boil over’. Atopic dermatitis is a hereditary disorder characterised … Read more
Introduction Impetigo contagiosa is a superficial, highly contagious, bullous skin disorder caused by coagulase positive staphylococci and occasionally -haemolytic streptococci. Symptoms and Clinical features of impetigo contagiosa Children are more commonly affected Initial lesions are superficial vesicles, or bullae found around orifices: eyes, nose and ears Begins with a 2 mm erythematous macules which quickly … Read more
Introduction Furunculosis (which is also called Boils) is an infection of a hair follicle by staphylococcal organisms, that leads to an inflammation. A carbuncle is merely two or more confluent furuncles, with separate heads nodule, with a pustular centre. Recalcitrant cases of furunculosis may occur with a background of: immune suppression Alcoholism Malnutrition Blood dyscrasias … Read more
What is cellulitis? Cellulitis is an acute suppurative bacterial infection of the skin and soft tissue, often with involvement of underlying structures: fascia, muscles and tendons. Causes of cellulitis It is most often due to B haemolytic streptococci or Staphylococcus aureus. Less common causes include: Anaerobic bacteria Mycobacteria Proteus Pseudomonas Crytococcus (rarely) It usually (but … Read more