Background

Condition Lookup

Number of Conditions: 4

Diabetes-Related Skin Changes

Specialty: Dermatology

Category: Other Dermatologic Conditions

Sub-category: Cutaneous Manifestations of Systemic Diseases

Symptoms:
brown, scaly patches on shins (diabetic dermopathy); dark, velvety plaques in skin folds (acanthosis nigricans); delayed wound healing

Root Cause:
Poor circulation, insulin resistance, or chronic hyperglycemia affecting skin integrity.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; evaluation of blood glucose levels.

Treatment:
Manage blood sugar levels, use emollients, and treat secondary infections.

Medications:
Insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents – to manage diabetes. Topical antibiotics – for secondary infections.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in individuals with poorly controlled diabetes.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Improves with good glycemic control.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic ulcers; Infections; Amputation in severe cases

Thyroid-Related Skin Disorders

Specialty: Dermatology

Category: Other Dermatologic Conditions

Sub-category: Cutaneous Manifestations of Systemic Diseases

Symptoms:
dry, coarse skin; swelling in extremities (myxedema); brittle hair and nails; hair thinning

Root Cause:
Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism affecting skin metabolism and structure.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination; thyroid function tests (T3, T4, TSH).

Treatment:
Correct thyroid hormone imbalance.

Medications:
Levothyroxine – for hypothyroidism. Antithyroid drugs (e.g., methimazole ) – for hyperthyroidism.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in individuals with thyroid disorders.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Autoimmune diseases (e.g., Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Improves with thyroid treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Persistent skin changes; Psychological distress

Cutaneous Sarcoidosis

Specialty: Dermatology

Category: Other Dermatologic Conditions

Sub-category: Cutaneous Manifestations of Systemic Diseases

Symptoms:
firm, red or purple plaques; lupus pernio (on the nose or cheeks); nodules or scars on the skin

Root Cause:
Abnormal immune response causing granuloma formation in the skin.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, biopsy, and chest imaging.

Treatment:
Topical or systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressants for severe cases.

Medications:
Topical or systemic corticosteroids. Methotrexate – for systemic involvement.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, more common in African-American populations.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic predisposition, exposure to certain environmental triggers.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; may resolve spontaneously or become chronic.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Scarring; Systemic organ involvement

Vasculitis

Specialty: Dermatology

Category: Other Dermatologic Conditions

Sub-category: Cutaneous Manifestations of Systemic Diseases

Symptoms:
palpable purpura; ulcers or necrosis; painful, red patches or plaques

Root Cause:
Inflammation of blood vessels, leading to tissue damage and skin manifestations.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, skin biopsy, and blood tests for systemic involvement.

Treatment:
Treat underlying cause, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants.

Medications:
Systemic corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone ). Immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclophosphamide ) – for severe cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; varies by type of vasculitis.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Autoimmune diseases, infections, medications.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on severity and response to treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Organ damage; Chronic ulcers