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Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is commonly encountered in primary care and is associated with significant morbidity that extends beyond the skin manifestations. Psoriasis is associated with an elevated risk of psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, obesity, insulin resistance, mental health disorders, certain types of malignancy, inflammatory bowel disease and other immune-related disorders, and hepatic and renal disease. Enhanced recognition of these comorbidities may lead to earlier diagnosis and potentially better overall health outcomes. Psoriatic nail involvement, severe skin disease and obesity are associated with a greater risk of psoriatic arthritis. Individuals with psoriasis should be routinely screened for psoriatic arthritis to allow for early intervention to improve long term prognosis. Life expectancy is reduced in people with psoriasis due to a variety of causes, with cardiovascular disease and malignancy being the most common aetiologies. Psoriasis affects several factors that contribute to worsened quality of life and increased risk of depression and anxiety. Effective therapies are now available that have been shown to concurrently improve skin disease, quality of life and psychiatric symptoms. As the concordance between psychosocial impact and objective disease severity does not always correlate, it is essential to tailor management strategies specifically to the needs of each individual. Cigarette smoking and excess alcohol consumption are among the most important modifiable risk factors that increase the likelihood of psoriasis development and severity of skin disease. This provides a compelling rationale for smoking cessation and limiting alcohol intake in people with psoriasis beyond their traditional harmful health consequences., (© 2020 AMPCo Pty Ltd.)

Background: Intraepidermal carcinoma (IEC), superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC), and psoriasis are common entities that may all present as well-defined, brightly erythematous plaques. Currently, there are limited data on the dermatoscopic features that differentiate these diagnoses., Objective: We sought to describe the most significant morphologic findings seen on dermatoscopy of IEC, sBCC, and psoriasis, and formulate a diagnostic model based on these features., Method: We conducted a retrospective observational study using macrophotography and dermatoscopy to evaluate the presence or absence of dermatoscopic features and formulated diagnostic models for each diagnosis. A convenient sample of 300 lesions was collected from 255 patients from two hospital dermatology clinics and 4 private dermatology practices. These comprised 150 cases of sBCC, 100 cases of psoriasis, and 50 cases of IEC., Results: The most significant dermatoscopic features of IEC were a clustered vascular pattern, glomerular vessels, and hyperkeratosis. When all 3 features were observed together, the diagnostic probability for IEC was 98%. sBCCs were characterized by a scattered vascular pattern, arborizing microvessels, telangiectatic or atypical vessels, milky-pink background, and brown dots/globules; the diagnostic probability was 99% if 4 of these 6 features were identified. For psoriasis, the significant features identified were a homogenous vascular pattern, red dots, and light-red background, yielding a diagnostic probability of 99% if all 3 features were present., Limitations: Lack of evaluation of interobserver/intraobserver reproducibility is a limitation., Conclusion: Dermatoscopy is valuable in the diagnosis and differentiation of IEC, sBCC, and psoriasis because of consistent dermatoscopic morphology.

A 78-year-old woman presented with rapid onset of skin pain which evolved into oedema, discoloration and infarction. She was diagnosed with group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes) necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The patient had a past history of psoriasis and end-stage renal impairment. Despite treatment with multiple antibiotics in an intensive care unit, the skin infarction involving the upper trunk continued to expand and the patient died within 24 hours of hospital admission. Group A streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus were cultured from a tissue biopsy. Renal failure and compromised skin barrier function are known to predispose to invasive streptococcal infections, but necrotizing fasciitis has only rarely been reported in association with psoriasis. This case illustrates the fulminant nature of the infection.

Scalp itch is common in people of all ages. Treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis. Causes range from everyday skin conditions such as seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis and head lice to rare disorders such as dermatitis herpetiformis and trigeminal trophic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Most dermatology admissions to tertiary hospitals in Australia are initially assessed in the emergency department ( ED). This 3-year retrospective study examined the types of dermatological conditions that necessitated admission, the factors that predicted admission and the implications for dermatological resource allocation. Methods The ED database was searched using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) diagnosis codes and keywords in the presenting complaint and triage notes fields. The two lists were then merged and duplicates removed. All admissions were analysed and the medical records of admissions to the dermatology unit were reviewed to determine their final diagnosis. Results In total, 4817 patients with dermatological conditions presented over the 3-year period. Of these, 937 (20%) required admission, of whom 108 (12%) were admitted under the dermatology unit. The most common conditions requiring admission were cellulitis ( n = 534, 56%), boils, furuncles and pilonidal sinuses ( n = 183, 19%), and non-specific skin infections ( n = 32, 3%). The most common conditions admitted under dermatology were psoriasis ( n = 27, 25%), eczema ( n = 25, 23%), and cellulitis ( n = 16, 15%). Key predictors of admission were Australasian triage code, referral by a health-care professional or corrections officer and arrival by ambulance. Conclusion Approximately one-fifth of dermatological presentations required admission, mostly for infective processes that did not require specific dermatological care. The predictors of admission reflect the severity of the condition and patients demonstrating these predictors should be referred to the Dermatology unit for admission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]