Term | Definition |
Skin Lesions: Causes | Contact with injurious agents such as toxic chemicals.
Hereditary factors.
External factors such as allergens.
Systemic diseases such as measles and lupus erythematosus. |
Why is newborn skin more sensitive? | Skin of younger children: infant's epidermis is thinner and blisters easily, absorbs much more quickly and is more prone to infections. |
Dermatitis | Inflammation of the skin. |
Common Skin Symptoms include | Pruritis that varies in intensity is the most common.
Pain or tenderness.
Burning or stinging.
Anesthesia.
Hyperesthesia.
Hypesthesia or Hypoesthesia.
Parasthesia. |
Anesthesia | Alterations in sensation. |
Hyperesthesia | Excessive Sensitiveness. |
Hypesthesia or Hypoesthesia. | Decreased Sensation. |
Paresthesia | Abnormal Sensation |
It is important when interviewing the child and parent | ascertain when the lesion appeared, whether it occurred with ingestion of food or other substance and whether the condition was related to activity such as contact with chemicals. |
Erythema | a reddened area |
Ecchymosis | bruising |
Petechiae | pinpoint, tiny, and sharp circumscribed spots |
Primary lesion | skin changes produced by a causative factor |
Secondary lesions | changes that result from alteration in the primary lesions such as those caused by rubbing, scratching, medication or involution and healing. |
Distribution pattern | The pattern in which lesions are distributed over the body, whether local or generalized, and the specific areas associated with the lesions |
Configuration and arrangement | The size, shape, and arrangement of a lesion or groups of lesions (e.g. discrete, clustered, diffuse, or confluent) |
Wounds: Acute | those which heal within 2 or 3 weeks. |
Wounds: Chronic | those that do not heal in the expected time frame or the wound develops complications |
Wound Classifications | Acute. Chronic. Surgical. Non-Surgical. Burns. |
Types of burns | Superficial. Partial-thickness. Full-thickness. |
Process of wound healing (Phases) | Hemostasis Phase. Inflammation Phase. Proliferative Phase. Remodeling (Maturation) phase. |
Hemostasis Phase | – platelets act to seal off the damaged blood vessels and to form a stable clot. |
Inflammation Phase | – presents a clinical picture involving erythema, swelling and warmth, often associated with pain at the site. |
Proliferative Phase | (includes granulation and contracture) – lasts from 4-21 days in acute wounds depending on the would size. |
Remodeling (Maturation) Phase | occurs in the dermis as fibroblasts increase the tissue tensile strength. The wound edges a brought closer together and a mature scar is formed. |
Factors that influence wound healing | Wound care management.
Factors that delay healing (use of antiseptics) |
Aim of Treatment | (1)Prevent further damage
(2)Eliminate the cause
(3)Prevent Complications
(4)Provide relief from discomfort |
Topical Therapy is aimed to | (a) Treat the disorder
(b) Reduce itching
(c) Decrease external stimuli –
(d) Apply external heat or cold – lukewarm, tepid, or cool applications offer the greatest relief |
Systemic drugs | often used as an adjunct to topical therapy include corticosteroids, antibiotics and antifungal agents. |