Common Skin Lesions Of The Head And Neck

Vitiligo is indeed an autoimmune condition characterized by the loss of melanocytes and pigment from affected tissues. In this condition, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the melanocytes, which are responsible for producing the pigment melanin. As a result, patches of depigmented skin appear on various parts of the body. This loss of pigment can affect not only the skin but also the hair, eyes, and mucous membranes. Therefore, the statement "Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition with a loss of melanocytes and pigment from affected tissues" is true.

Cutaneous melanomas, a type of skin cancer, are known to have certain predisposing factors. These factors include having a positive family history of melanoma, having light natural pigmentation (fair skin), and being exposed to sunlight. These factors increase the risk of developing cutaneous melanomas. Therefore, the statement "Cutaneous melanomas have predisposing factors such as positive family history, light natural pigmentation, and exposure to sunlight" is true.

This statement is true. A wheal, which is a raised area of skin, is produced when histamine is released from mast cells and basophils. Histamine causes vasodilation, which leads to an increase in blood flow to the area, and fluid leakage, resulting in the formation of a wheal.

Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are benign growths that can appear on the skin. They are typically harmless but may be bothersome or unsightly to some individuals. The given statement suggests that skin tags can be easily removed by snipping with curved iris scissors, electrocautery, or cryotherapy. This is true as these are common methods used by healthcare professionals to remove skin tags. Snipping with curved iris scissors involves cutting off the skin tag at the base, electrocautery uses heat to burn off the skin tag, and cryotherapy involves freezing the skin tag with liquid nitrogen.

Actinic keratoses is a skin condition that is commonly caused by long-term exposure to sunlight. It is characterized by rough, scaly patches on the skin, and it is more likely to occur in individuals who spend a significant amount of time outdoors. Therefore, the statement that actinic keratoses is usually found in individuals who have had long-term exposure to sunlight, usually people who work and play outdoors, is true.

Perioral dermatitis is a skin condition that causes a rash to develop around the mouth. It can be triggered by various factors, including the use of topical steroids, tartar control dentrifices (toothpastes), and chronic habits such as licking the lips or constantly touching the face. Therefore, it is true that perioral dermatitis can be caused by these factors.

The statement is true because vertical growth of a cutaneous melanoma refers to the tumor growing deeper into the skin rather than spreading horizontally. This type of growth is associated with a higher risk of metastasis, meaning that the cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body. Additionally, vertical growth is generally indicative of a more aggressive and advanced stage of melanoma, which leads to a worse prognosis for the patient.

Seborrheic Keratosis is a common skin condition characterized by the presence of crusty, rough, or warty growths on the skin. These growths often have a loosely attached keratotic crust, meaning that the crust is not firmly adhered to the skin surface. This can be observed through visual examination or by touch. Therefore, the statement "Seborrheic Keratosis may have a keratotic crust that is loosely attached and the surface may be rough or warty" is true.

The statement is true because a basal cell carcinoma lesion is indeed characterized by an indurated (hardened) pearly papule or nodule. Additionally, these lesions often have telangiectic vessels coursing over their surface, which refers to the presence of dilated blood vessels that appear as fine red lines. Therefore, the given description accurately describes the characteristics of a basal cell carcinoma lesion.

A plaque is a raised, flat-topped lesion on the skin that is larger than 0.5 cm in diameter. It is formed when multiple papules (small, raised bumps) merge together. Therefore, the statement that a plaque may be formed from the confluence of multiple papules and is greater than 0.5 cm is true.

Sun avoidance and SPF (sun protection factor) are effective in fading ephelides (freckles) and preventing new ones from forming. Ephelides are caused by an increased production of melanin in response to sun exposure. Sun avoidance helps to reduce the amount of sun exposure, which in turn reduces the production of melanin and fades existing freckles. Additionally, SPF protects the skin from harmful UV rays, preventing further damage and the formation of new freckles. Therefore, it can be concluded that the statement is true.

Perleche is indeed another name for angular cheilitis. Angular cheilitis is a condition characterized by inflammation and cracking at the corners of the mouth. It is also known as perleche or angular stomatitis. This condition can be caused by various factors such as fungal or bacterial infections, nutritional deficiencies, or excessive saliva buildup. Therefore, the statement that Perleche is another name for angular cheilitis is true.

macule

2 years

benign

rare, 1:250,000

white

lower lip and below

30%

Ecchymoses/bruising

will not lighten unless done cosmetically

papule

20%

upper eyelids

Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that typically grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. This means that it is usually not metastatic, which is a positive factor for prognosis. However, it is important to note that while most cases of basal cell carcinoma have a good prognosis, there can be exceptions depending on factors such as the size, location, and aggressiveness of the tumor. Therefore, the statement "Basal cell carcinoma is rarely metastatic and has a good prognosis" is partially true, as it is generally true but can have exceptions.