CHAPTER 17
Quiz Yourself
1. Some dermatologic diseases (such as poison ivy) may be treated with either topical
or systemic drugs; the decision as to which route to use depends on the severity and
extent of the disease. Small areas of the disease can be treated with topical application
of a drug, but when large areas of the skin are involved, an oral drug that acts systemically is
needed.
2. The anti-inflammatory and antipruritic action of an antihistamine is based on countering the
inflammation, redness, and itching
caused by the release of histamine during an allergic reaction. Antihistamine
drugs can be applied topically or given orally. It is not appropriate to treat all
kinds of itching with an antihistamine drug, only those caused by an allergic
reaction and the release of histamine. Corticosteroid drugs, however, do not directly
counter the actions of histamine; they act instead to decrease inflammation and itching by
suppressing the immune system’s response to tissue damage. Corticosteroid drugs can also
be applied topically or given orally.
3. A deficiency of vitamin A can produce abnormal changes in the epithelial cells
of the skin, such as those that occur with psoriasis. A retinoid drug normalizes the
abnormal production of epithelial cells. A vitamin D-type drug activates vitamin D
receptors in the keratinocytes and slows their abnormal cell growth.
4. Coal tar preparations and psoralen are prescribed to treat psoriasis.
5. True.
6. When fungal skin infections penetrate deeply into the skin or nails, cover large
areas, or are particularly severe, they are treated with oral antifungal drugs that act
systemically.
7. Acne vulgaris is the acne common to adolescence. It is treated topically with drugs
that clean away oil, close the pores, and kill skin bacteria. Severe cases can also
be treated with a vitamin A-type drug. Acne rosacea is common to adults. It too
involves excessive secretion of oil but also has small, dilated blood vessels in the face. An
underlying bacterial infection may be the cause. It is treated with antibiotic drugs and the
anti-inflammatory drug metronidazole.
8. Keratolytic drugs cleanse by removing oil and dead skin. Antipruritic drugs are antihistamine
drugs that inhibit inflammation, redness, and itching due to the release
of histamine that
occurs during an allergic reaction such as contact dermatitis.
9. Wrinkles.
10. Triclosan is also found in many personal care products and structures and is used to
prevent infection from MRSA. Soaps contain antibacterial compounds. However,
the widespread use of antibacterial compounds and the routine use of antibiotic
drugs in animal feed are believed to have contributed to the rise of antibiotic-resistant
bacteria.
11. It is used to treat acne vulgaris and wrinkles.
12. Suicidal behavior and attempts.
13. Some topical antifungal drugs are also used to treat yeast infections because
fungi are closely related (biologically) to yeasts.
14. Herpes simplex type 1 and herpes simplex type 2 are both viruses, but herpes simplex
type 1 causes cold sores and herpes simplex type 2 causes genital herpes, a
sexually transmitted disease. Topical antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, docosanol, and
penciclovir, are used to treat herpes simplex
type 1, while oral antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir,
are used to treat herpes simplex type 2.
15. Herpes zoster virus infections or shingles are due to a reemergence of the same virus
that first caused chickenpox in the patient. Topical drugs, such as capsaicin and lidocaine, do
not treat the viral infection, but only treat the pain associated with the
lesions.
16. Zingo is a topical anesthetic drug. It consists of a single-dose, helium-powered
system that delivers powdered lidocaine into the skin. The device is held firmly
against the skin while the “start” button is pushed. The powder is propelled with a
loud popping sound (a “zing”), similar to that of a balloon popping.
17. The toxin in Botox that relaxes muscles in the face is the same toxin produced by
Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes food poisoning.
18. Scabies is a skin condition that is caused by tiny, barely visible parasites called mites
that tunnel under the skin and cause itchy lesions. They lay eggs under the skin which
then hatch within a week and continue the cycle. The lesions occur on the trunk,
pubic area, and in skin folds. Pediculosis is a skin condition that is caused by an
infestation of lice and their eggs (nits) that can be found on the scalp, body, and
pubic area. Lice feed on human blood, and their bites cause severe itching. Their eggs
are attached to body hairs, particularly on the scalp and pubic area. Scabies and
pediculosis are spread through contact with furniture, clothing, bedsheets, towels,
personal contact, or sexual intercourse. Lice are easily transmitted from one
person to another by means of hairbrushes, combs, hats, headphones, towels,
clothing, upholstery, carpets, and from close personal contact or sexual intercourse.
Scabies and pediculosis are treated with some of the same topical prescription
drugs (lindane, permethrin).
19. Rogaine is used to treat baldness (alopecia). Topical minoxidil (Rogaine) dilates the
arteries in the scalp to increase blood flow and stimulate hair growth.
20. a. Antiviral drug used to treat viral infections of the skin
b. Topical corticosteroid drug
c. Topical irritant drug
d. Antifungal drug
e. Topical drug for debridement
f. Topical anesthetic drug
g. Oral drug for alopecia
h. Topical corticosteroid drug
i. Injected drug used to treat wrinkles
j. Oral vitamin A–type drug used to treat severe cystic acne
k. Topical drug for burns and wounds
l. Topical drug used to treat acne rosacea
m. Topical drug used to treat scabies or pediculosis
n. Injected drug used to treat wrinkles
o. Topical corticosteroid drug
Clinical Applications Questions
1. a. Ketoconazole
b. Antifungal
c. The prescription says “apply top [topically]”
d. 2%
e. ketoconazole cream 2%, apply topically twice a day for 2 weeks, 60 gram tube,
11 refills.
2. a. minoxidil
b. alopecia (baldness)
c. Rogaine
3. a. Cortizone-10 Plus
b. Inflammation and itching caused by contact dermatitis, poison ivy, insect
bites, psoriasis, seborrhea, eczema, and yeast or fungal infections.
c. hydrocortisone
4. a. Tinactin
b. Superficial fungal infections of the skin or nails
c. tolnaftate
5. a. EMLA cream
b. Topical anesthetic drug
c. The prescription says “apply topically.”
d. Apply topically to area of venipuncture 2 hours prior to procedure. Dispense one
tube. No refills.