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Common skin conditions
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The 10 patients in this quiz are complaining of an irritating skin problem affecting the axilla(e).
For each of the ten cases, study the image(s) and then answer the questions. You can click on the image to view a larger version if required.
Each case should take approximately 2 minutes to complete. There is a list of suggested further reading material at the end of the quiz.
When you finish the quiz, you can download a certificate.
What is this skin problem?
Psoriasis
What is this skin problem?
Psoriatic plaques are very persistent. They are characteristically well-demarcated, round or oval, thickened and bright red. Scale is generally absent when psoriasis affects skin folds, but there may be maceration and fissuring.
Treatment of skin folds may require intermittent moderate potency or potent topical steroids, but long term use of topical steroids may cause striae atrophicae. If required, maintenance treatment should be with hydrocortisone cream and/or calcipotriol cream. Pimecrolimus cream may also prove effective. Coal tar and dithranol are too irritating to apply to flexures. The axillae are relatively hidden from the benefits of phototherapy. Systemic treatments such as methotrexate may clear the psoriasis, but are unlikely to be prescribed for flexural disease alone.