Explanation of the Skin Disorder - Essay Sample

Introduction

Based on the description of this case study, poison ivy is the most likely skin disorder. Poison ivy develops when the skin is exposed to the oil of the pant urushiol (Vaught & Mold, 2016). Individuals who got out on the field are more likely to be affected by this plant in most cases leading to having rashes. Initially, the patient may not be aware they have been exposed to this plant until symptoms such as itching start to develop in 1 to 14 days (Decker, 2015). Rash (which may later develop into bullae, vesicles and papules) and intense pruritus are experienced first while lesions may come at a later stage (Vaught & Mold, 2016). Physical examination and looking at the patient's history may help a clinician to diagnose poison ivy.

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Differential Diagnosis

Lyme disease: this is skin disease caused by Borrelia a bacterium found in ticks (Mead, 2015).The major sign that defines Lyme borreliosis or Lyme disease is an expanding area of redness in the affected skin (Mead, 2015).

Chigger Bites: these are bites from the bed bugs which is a family of mites known as Trombiculid (Santibanez, Palomar, Portillo, Santibanez & Oteo, 2015). The larvae of the bug are what bites humans, and it leaves a reddish bump (Santibanez et al., 2015).

Poison Ivy Dermatitis: this is an allergic contact dermatitis disease that has signs and symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, blisters, swelling, itching and redness (Vaught & Mold, 2016). This is the most likely condition the patient is suffering looking at his history and clinical presentation that matches the symptoms and behaviors of this disease.

Treatment and Management Plan

After a proper physical examination, systemic corticosteroid will be the most suitable course of treatment since will relieve him from the current rash he is experiencing. To ease the itching, a topical antihistamine can be used (Medscape, 2019).

Medication: Benadryl 1% constant application to the affected region in 3 to 5 times a day to relieve the itching.

Prednisone 1 mg/kg per day for nine days over the affected area (Medscape, 2019). Follow up to be done after medication.

The patient should also keep his nail short to avoid reinfection. Washing the exposed are also helps to eliminate the infection and wearing protective clothing is always advised when going in the unsure places.

References

Decker, K. D. C. (2015). U.S. Patent No. 9,095,692. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Mead, P. S. (2015). Epidemiology of Lyme disease. Infectious Disease Clinics, 29(2), 187-210. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idc.2015.02.010

Medscape. (2019). Prednisone Treatment. Retrieved from https://reference.medscape.com/drug/prednisone-intensol-342747

Medscape. (2019). Diphenhydramine Topical (OTC). Retrieved from https://reference.medscape.com/drug/benadryl-itch-stopping-diphenhydramine-d-diphenhydramine-999685

Santibanez, P., Palomar, A. M., Portillo, A., Santibanez, S., & Oteo, J. A. (2015). The role of chiggers as human pathogens. An overview of tropical diseases. IntechOpen. Retrieved from https://www.intechopen.com/books/an-overview-of-tropical-diseases/the-role-of-chiggers-as-human-pathogens

Vaught, C. K., & Mold, J. W. (2016). Poison ivy: How effective are available treatments?. The Journal of family practice, 65(11), 801-809. Retrieved from https://mdedge-files-live.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/files/s3fs-public/JFP06511801.PDF