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Dermatitis (Eczema)

» What is dermatitis and why is it so important?
» What is atopy?
» Why is atopic dermatitis becoming more common?
» What are the diagnostic criteria for atopic dermatitis?
» What is the underlying defect in patients with atopic dermatitis?
» In atopic dermatitis, which comes first - the itch or the rash?
» Why does atopic dermatitis itch?
» Why do people like to scratch an itch?
» Does psychological stress worsen atopic dermatitis?
» Did John Phillip Sousa write the “Atopic March?”
» How does atopic dermatitis present at different ages?
» What physical findings are associated with atopic dermatitis? 
» What factors provoke or exacerbate atopic dermatitis? 
» How can your atopic patients relieve their pruritic agony and discomfort? 
» What is the role of antihistamines in atopic dermatitis?
» Describe the “two-pajamas treatment.”
» Is “hand dermatitis” a specific entity?
» What is pompholyx?
» How can pompholyx be managed?
» Describe the typical presentation of nummular eczema.
» What causes nummular eczema?
» Is there a cure for nummular eczema?
» How does seborrheic dermatitis present in children?
» How does seborrheic dermatitis present in adults?
» What causes seborrheic dermatitis, and with what disease states is it commonly found?
» Discuss the treatment approaches to seborrheic dermatitis. 
» What is an “id” reaction, and what does it have to do with Sigmund Freud?
» What are the most common settings for an id reaction and how should you treat it?
» What do you call dermatitis that covers virtually the whole cutaneous surface?
» How can you determine the cause of a patient’s exfoliative dermatitis?
» What general treatment measures are used to treat patients with exfoliative dermatitis?

 
 
 

How does seborrheic dermatitis present in adults?


Seborrheic dermatitis. A, Infant demonstrating characteristic scalp seborrheic dermatitis commonly known as 'cradle cap.' B, Adult demonstrating yellowish-red, sharply demarcated lesions with greasy scale. (Courtesy of James E. Fitzpatrick, MD.)
Fig. 8.4 Seborrheic dermatitis. A, Infant demonstrating characteristic scalp seborrheic dermatitis commonly known as 'cradle cap.' B, Adult demonstrating yellowish-red, sharply demarcated lesions with greasy scale. (Courtesy of James E. Fitzpatrick, MD.)
Dandruff—visible scalp desquamation—is the precursor lesion. The scalp may become inflamed and covered with greasy scale (Fig. 8-4B). Dull or yellowish-red, sharply marginated, nonpruritic lesions, covered with greasy scales are seen in areas with a rich supply of sebaceous glands. Characteristically, the medial eyebrows, glabella, melolabial folds, nasofacial sulci, and eyelid margins (blepharitis) are involved. Preauricular cheeks, postauricular sulci, and external auditory canal lesions are also commonly affected sites. The trunk may demonstrate presternal or interscapular involvement. Intertriginous areas, such the inframammary creases, umbilicus, and genitocrural folds, are occasionally involved. Seborrheic dermatitis is one of the most common causes of chronic dermatitis of the anogenital area.