Diseases & Disorders of the
Integumentary System
Objective
• Explain the different diseases and disorders of
the integumentary system, their symptoms, &
possible treatment
Skin Cancers
• There are several types of malignancies of varying severity
that affect the skin
• Most are associated with prolonged exposure to the harmful
radiation in sunlight
• Three main types to focus on:
• Basal cell carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Malignant melanoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma
• BCC is the most frequently occurring form of all cancers
• In 2010, an estimated 2.8 million cases of BCC were diagnosed in
the US
• Usually develops slowly and is unlikely to spread (metastasize)
• UV exposure causes the cells at the base of the epidermis to be
damage and divide out of control
• It begins as a small, smooth, painless lump pink or brownish gray,
with a pearly or wax-like border
• As is widens it may form a central depression with rolled edges
• , Treatments
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Due to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays over
your lifetime or carcinogens, such as tar & oil
chemicals
• An estimated 700,000 cases of SCC are diagnosed
each year in the US, and between 3,900 and 8,800
people died from the disease in the US in 2012
• It begins as a red or red-brown lump with an irregular
edge that is hard and painless
• It may later weep and become ulcer-like
• Treatments
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Malignant Melanoma
• Melanoma kills an estimated 9,940 people in the US annually
• Develops from an existing mole, or a fast growing, dark-colored,
asymmetrical spot
• Features include: increasing in size, an irregular border, itching,
bleeding, and crusting
• Cause by damage done to pigment-producing cells (melanocytes)
which leads to out of control cell division and spreading throughout
the body
• Warnings Signs: ABCDE & Ugly Duckling
• Treatments
ABCDE’s of Melanoma
• Asymmetry: lack of symmetry
• Border: uneven, scalloped or notched
• Color: variety of colors
• Diameter: larger than the diameter of the eraser
on a pencil
• Evolving: mole changes in size, shape, color,
elevation or any other trait or new symptoms
appear
The Ugly Duckling
• Squares A, B, & C represent a body area
• In A, the patient has one dominant mole
pattern with slight variation in size. The
outlier lesion is clearly darker and larger
than all other moles
• In B, the patient has two predominant nevus
patterns. The outlier is small but lacks
pigmentation
• In C, the patient shows only one lesion. If
this lesion is changing, symptomatic, or
atypical, it should be removed
Rashes
• Most rashes are areas of skin inflammation, while others are
conditions of the skin itself
• Some are localized while others are more widespread
• Localized rashes can occur on parts of the body exposed to
sunlight, frictions, or an irritant chemical
• Some rashes are also inherited
Psoriasis
• Is a chronic widespread condition that causes skin cells to grow
too quickly, resulting in thick, white, silvery, or red patches of
skin
• Normally, skin cells grow gradually and flake off about every 4 weeks.
But in psoriasis, this happens in days
• Experts believe that psoriasis occurs when the immune system
overreacts, causing inflammation and flaking of skin.
• In some cases, psoriasis runs in families
• Episodes my be triggered by infections, injury, stress, or as a side
effect of medication
• There is no cure, but many types of treatment are available, including
topical products, phototherapy, and oral medicines
Psoriasis
Eczema
• Also known a dermatitis
• Is a common skin condition in babies and children, but may flare up
during adolescence and adulthood
• It is often linked to allergic tendencies such as asthma and
perennial, or seasonal, rhinitis (hay fever)
• The rash is red, inflamed, and itchy with small fluid-filled blisters
or episodes of dry, scaly, thickened and cracked skin
• Treated with oral medications, steroid creams and light therapy
Eczema
Impetigo
• Is a blistering of the skin caused by bacterial infection that
originates from a cut, cold sore or scratched weeping eczema
• Is one of the most common skin infections among kids and usually
appears on the face, neck, hands, and diaper area
• This contagious skin infection is generally caused by one of two
bacteria:
• Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, also called
group A streptococcus, (causes strep throat)
• Treated with antibiotics
Impetigo
Vitiligo
• Is an autoimmune condition, where the body makes
antibodies that attack the skin’s melanocytes
• It occurs in patchy areas, often symmetrically over the body
• In one-third of cases, the pigmentation spontaneously returns
• The extent and rate of color loss from vitiligo is unpredictable
• No treatments stop the condition, only help restore skin color
or even out skin tone
• Michael Jackson had it
Vitiligo
Skin Marks & Blemishes
• Marks, swellings, and blemishes on the skin include small, pus-filled
spots known as pustules, larger ones called boils and acne, which
occur in teenage years
• Other marks are enlargements may be caused by a local increase in
cell numbers, as in warts and moles
• Swellings may also be due to different types of cyst
• Some blemishes are caused by external factors, such as pressure
and exposure to sunlight, or can result from viral infection
Acne
• In acne vulgaris, the sebaceous glands produce an excessive
amount of sebum
• This reacts on contact with air and forms a plug in the skin pore,
which may de dark with pigmentation as a blackhead or pale, as a
whitehead
• A combination of trapped sebum, dead cells, and bacterial
infection inflame the area, cause a pustule
• Most common in teenagers due to hormone surges at puberty
• Treatments include topical ointments & antibiotics, oral
medications, and skin therapies such as chemical peels
Acne
Mole
• A mole or nevus is a flat or raised mark that varies in shape, color,
and texture
• They may be singular or numerous and appear anywhere on the skin
• Moles are localized overproduction and aggregation of melanocytes
with increased amounts of melanin pigment
• Most moles appear in early childhood and during the first 30 years
of a person's life
• It is normal to have between 10-40 moles by adulthood.
Moles
Cyst
• Is a harmless, saclike swelling under the skin that contains
fluid or semisolid materials
• The most common type is a sebaceous cyst or wen that forms in a
hair follicle
• Common sites include the scalp, face, trunk, and genitals
• Treatment may be needed if the cyst becomes enlarged, unsightly,
painful or infected
• Most cysts do not disappear on their own without treatment.
• Some cysts may need to be drained to relieve symptoms.
Sebaceous Cyst
Boil
• Is a collection of pus inside a hair follicle or a sebaceous gland
• Usually caused by a bacterial infection from various types of
Staphylococcus
• The pus accumulates into a white or yellow head at the boil’s
center
• A cluster of boils may link to form a carbuncle
• The most common places for boils to appear are on the face, neck,
armpits, shoulders, and buttocks
• When one forms on the eyelid, it is called a sty
• Recurrent boils may signify an underlying disorder
Boil Continued
• These health problems make people more susceptible to boils:
• Diabetes
• Problems with the immune system
• Poor nutrition
• Poor hygiene
• Exposure to harsh chemicals that irritate the skin
• Treatments for boils includes: warm compresses, draining the boil,
topical antibiotics, or oral antibiotics
Boil
Wart
• Is a small growth caused by an infection by the human
papilloma virus (HPV)
• It may flat or raised and may be smooth or rough
• The virus invades the skin and cause a localized overgrowth of
epidermal cells
• Three out of four people will develop a wart (verruca vulgaris) at
some time in their lives.
• Warts are slightly contagious, and you can spread them to other
parts of your body by touching them or shaving around infected
areas.
• Warts typically disappear on their own with time, but it may take
years.
Warts Continued
• Warts typically disappear on their own with time, but it may take
years
• Warts respond variably to a variety of treatment measures
• Over-the-counter treatments for warts include salicylic-acid
preparations and freezing kits
Wart
Alopecia areata
• Is a type of hair loss that occurs when your immune system mistakenly
attacks hair follicles
• The damage to the follicle is usually not permanent
• Experts do not know why the immune system attacks the follicles
• Alopecia areata is most common in people younger than 20, but children and
adults of any age may be affected
• Usually begins when clumps of hair fall out, resulting in totally smooth, round
hairless patches on the scalp
• The hair loss often comes and goes---hair will grow back over several months
in one area but will fall out in another area
• Sometimes the hair loss is permanent
Alopecia Areata