The document discusses the integumentary system and various skin disorders, outlining their causes, symptoms, and classifications. It details treatment options for conditions such as lice, acne, sunburn, dermatitis, and psoriasis, including both over-the-counter and prescription medications. The chapter emphasizes the importance of understanding skin disorders and the therapeutic approaches available to manage them.

1. Drugs for Skin Disorders
Drugs for Skin Disorders
Dr A Chansoria
Dr A Chansoria

2. Introduction
Introduction
 The integumentary system
consists of the skin, hair, nails,
sweat glands, and oil glands.
 The largest of all organs is the
skin.
 Because of its large surface area, it
normally provides an effective
barrier between extreme
conditions in the outside
environment and the body’s
internal organs.

3. Introduction
Introduction
 The purpose of this
chapter is to examine the
broad scope of skin
disorders and the
medications used for skin
therapy.
 Particular attention to:
lice and mite infestation,
sunburn, acne,
inflammation, and dry,
scaly skin.

4. Three Layers of Skin
Three Layers of Skin
 Epidermis—most superficial skin layer
◦ Thick skin—5 layers
◦ Soles of feet, palms of hands
◦ Melanocytes—provide protection against the sun.
 Dermis—under epidermis
◦ Provides foundation for epidermis, hair and nails
◦ Location of receptor nerve endings, sweat glands, oil glands, blood vessels.
 Subcutaneous layer or hypodermis—deepest layer
◦ Mainly composed of adipose tissue
◦ Cushions, insulates, provides a source of energy.
◦ Involved with the maintenance of homeostasis, temperature regulation,
metabolism

5. Major Causes of Skin Disorders
Major Causes of Skin Disorders
 Major causes of skin disorders
are injury, aging, inherited factors
and other medical conditions.
 Symptoms associated with stress
or injury to the skin.
 Classification of Skin Disorders:
infectious disorders, inflammatory
disorders, and skin cancers.

12. Major Causes of Skin Disorders
Major Causes of Skin Disorders
 Burns may affect all layers of the skin
 1. First degree burns affect outer layers of
epidermis.
◦ Redness and sunburn
 2. Second degree burns affect most of the
epidermis and part of the dermis.
◦ Inflammation and blisters
 3. Third degree burns affect all layers of the skin.
◦ Skin cannot regenerate; requires skin grafting

13. Third Degree Burn
Third Degree Burn

14. Scabicides & Peducilicides
Scabicides & Peducilicides
 Scabicides and peducilicides
treat parasitic mite and lice
infestation.
 Common skin parasites are
mites and lice
◦ Mites cause scabies
◦ Female burrows into the skin and
lays eggs
◦ Causes intense itching
◦ Fingers, extremities, around the
trunk, pubic area

15. Scabicides & Peducilicides
Scabicides & Peducilicides
 Lice (Pediculus)
◦ Passed by infected
clothing or personal
contact
◦ Infest pubic area, hair
◦ Lay eggs and leave
debris called nits that
attach to body hairs.

16. Scabicides & Peducilicides
Scabicides & Peducilicides
 Three drugs kill lice and
mites
 1. Lindane (Kwell,
Scabene)—gamma
benzene hexachloride
 2. Crotamiton (Eurax)
 3. Permethrin (Nix)—
insecticide
 Drug profile—lindane
(Kwell) pg. 628

17. Drugs for Sunburn & Minor Irritation
Drugs for Sunburn & Minor Irritation
 The goal of drug therapy for
sunburn is to eliminate
discomfort until healing
occurs.
 Drugs include mild lotions and
topical anesthetics
◦ 1. Benzocaine (Solarcaine)
◦ 2. Dibucaine (Nupercainal)
◦ 3. Tetracaine (Pontocaine)

18. Drugs for Acne
Drugs for Acne
 Problems of acne and
rosacea are treated by a
combination of OTC and
prescription drugs—
 Effects of acne drugs—
slow down turnover of
skin cells and inhibit
bacterial growth.

19. Drugs for Acne
Drugs for Acne
 Benzoyl peroxide
(Benzaclin, Benzamycin)
main OTC medication
◦ Inhibits bacteria growth
◦ Suppresses skin turnover at
the opening of pores
◦ Sometimes combined with
antibiotics
◦ Several preparations—
lotion, cream, gel
◦ Several concentrations
available.

20. Drugs for Acne
Drugs for Acne
 Retinoids—vitamin
A-like compounds
◦ Reduce oil produciton
and clogged pores
◦ Resistance to bacteria
◦ Do not use if pregnant
—may harm fetus
◦ Common reaction—
sensitivity to sunlight

21. Drugs for Acne
Drugs for Acne
 Prescription
medications for
acne
◦ Adapalene (Differin)
◦ Azelaic acid (Alzelax)
◦ Sulfacetamide (Klaren)
◦ Tretinoin (Retin-A)—
someimes used for
wrinkle removal

22. Drugs for Acne
Drugs for Acne
 Keratolytic agents
—severe conditions;
promote shedding of
old skin
◦ Resorcinol
◦ Salicylic acid
◦ sulfur

23. Drugs for Acne
Drugs for Acne
 Other drugs taken in
combination or
instead of acne
medication
◦ Vibramycin
◦ Tetracycline
◦ OrthoTri-Cyclen

24. Drugs for Acne
Drugs for Acne
 Most severe cases of
acne
◦ Accutane—reduces
oil production; may
cause nosebleeds and
inflammation of areas of
the face

25. Topical Corticosteroids
Topical Corticosteroids
 Topical corticosteroids are used mainly
to treat dermatitis and related
symptoms—
 Eczema—aka atopic dermatitis --
resembles an allergic reaction
 Contact dermatitis—delayed type
allergic reaction
 Seborrheic dermatitis—caused by
overactive oil glands
 Stasis dermatitis—seen more in
older women

26. Topical Corticosteroids
Topical Corticosteroids
 Topical steroids best way
to treat symptoms of
dermatitis
 Available in different
levels of potency
 Different preparations
available—creams, lotions,
solutions, gels, pads
 Relieves local
inflammation and itching
 Topical Corticosteroids

27. Topical Corticosteroids
Topical Corticosteroids
 Adverse effects with
long-term use—
irritation, redness,
thinning of skin
membranes.
 Undesirable systemic
effects if skin is
broken.

28. Drugs for Psoriasis
Drugs for Psoriasis
 A variety of topical and
systemic medications are
used to treat psoriatic
symptoms—
 Psoriasis is a chronic skin
disorder with red patches
of skin covered with flaky,
silver colored scales
(called plaques)—may be
genetic

29. Drugs for Psoriasis
Drugs for Psoriasis
 Treatments include:
◦ Emollients
◦ Topical corticosteroids
◦ Immunosuppressants
◦ Systemic medications
◦ Skin therapy techniques—
tar treatment (coal tar)
◦ UVB and UVA phototherapy
used in severe psorasis.

36. THANKYOU
THANKYOU