Dermatologic Disorders

Dermatologic Disorders is one of the most testable primary care chapters because skin disease is among the most common reasons patients seek care. Focuses on recognizing lesion morphology, distinguishing benign from dangerous conditions, diagnosing inflammatory and infectious skin disorders, and identifying skin cancers.For board exams, memorize the classic presentations: eczema (itchy flexural rash), psoriasis (silvery plaques on extensor surfaces), rosacea (facial flushing without comedones), seborrheic dermatitis (greasy scales), tinea corporis (ring-shaped lesion with central clearing), impetigo (honey-colored crusts), cellulitis (warm, tender erythematous skin), shingles (painful unilateral dermatomal vesicles), basal cell carcinoma (pearly papule), squamous cell carcinoma (scaly keratotic lesion), and melanoma (ABCDE criteria). Among medication-related dermatologic emergencies, Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are the highest-yield conditions, especially in patients taking lamotrigine, carbamazepine, or sulfonamide drugs.