Search This Blog

Friday, January 23, 2015

Balanitis (glans) + Posthitis (foreskin) - an approach to Mx



If appearance is non-specific (e.g. no visitible warts or other lesions)
And Is not severe -> trial of Rx
--> Hydrozole (OTC) or Hydroform (S4) cream
= 1% hydrocortisone + antifungal (clotrimazole and clioquinol, respectively)

If no improvement after 3 days -> review and ?investigate

Consider primary skin disease, in particular

  • psoriasis
  • dermatitis (eczema; seborrhoeic dermatitis)
  • lichen sclerosis


Consider Ix

  • swabs for mcs and HSV PCR
  • urine PCR for chlamydia and gonorrhoea
  • ?formal STI screen
  • including Ix sexual partner/s


?fasting BSL


General Mx for all cases

  • foreskin hygiene
  • low irritant products for washing and showering



Thursday, January 22, 2015

Scabies - Dx and Rx

Pathogenesis
infestation --> immune system sensitised to mite and mite-related products incl eggs
--> symptoms appear

Mite count usually 10-15, but can reach thousands in Norwegian (Crusted) Scabies

Dx
clinical
v itchy
bilateral
wrists, ankles, groin/genitals/buttocks, waist etc
often no burrows to see, especially in warm climate

Rx
2 Rx, one week apart
topical
"Lyclear" (permethrin cream)
OK from 2 months old but must be > 15 kg
Head-to-toe at bedtime. Wash off in the morning.
oral
ivermectin ("Stromectol")
150-200 mcg per kg
100kg = 15 - 20 mg
=> 5 or 7 tablets (each 3mg)
"Ready-reckoner" -  adults 15 mg; children 6 mg

Hot wash bed linen, towels, clothing
Rx family and close contacts
(significant incidence of asymptomatic cases => carriers)

Pets don't harbour human mites
=> can't give you scabies; no need to Rx

Response to Rx usually within 3 days (most resolved in 2 weeks), 
but pruritus can remain for up to 2 months