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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
How do you remember the many intricacies of dermatology? These illustrated mnemonics, created by Stanford medical student Nick Love, are destined to be the most enchanting crib notes you have ever reviewed.
All images courtesy of Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
Most moles on the skin are usually healthy and normal. Some moles, however, may represent the beginning of melanoma, a potentially fatal form of skin cancer. Warning signs of moles that have the risk of being melanoma include: Asymmetry in shape, Border irregularity, Color irregularity, Diameter larger than 1/4 inch and, most important, whether the mole is noticeably Evolving/changing/growing over time.
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin and is itself composed of distinct layers. From superficial to deep, these layers, called "strate" (singular, "stratum"), are the stratum corneum, lucidum (found only on the "acral" surfaces—ie, palms and soles), granulosum, spinosum, and basalis.
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
Lichen planus is caused by inflammation from autoreactive T cells attacking the keratinocytes of the stratum basalis. Clinically, the features of lichen planus can be remembered as the "six P's": Purple, Planar, Polygonal, Pruritic, Plaques, and Papules.
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
Pigmentation is increased by Sunlight (ie, tanning). If skin pigmentation increases without sunlight exposure, it may be due to Pregnancy, Addison's disease, Renal failure, Excess iron, or Drugs (eg, amiodarone, minocycline).
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
Patient presents with a red, scaly rash—ie, a papulosquamous eruption. The differential is quite long, including Lupus, Lichen planus (and other lichenoid reactions), Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC), Lichen nitidus, Lues (an antiquated name for Syphilis), Psoriasis, Pityriasis rosea, Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA)/pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC), Parapsoriasis, Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP), Seborrheic dermatitis, Adverse drug reaction, Tinea, Eczema/erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC), and Neoplasm (eg, MF).
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
If a patient presents with a persistent red face, consider a differential that includes Dermatomyositis, Rosacea, Mastocytosis, Carcinoid, Lupus erythematosus, Autoimmune connective tissue disease, or Polycythemia vera.
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
Hypopigmented "white" patches on the skin can be caused by vitiligo, Pityriasis alba/Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, Age-related hypopigmentation (eg, idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis), Tinea versicolor/Tuberous sclerosis (ash-leaf macules), Congenital birthmark (eg, hypomelanosis of Ito), or Hansen's disease (leprosy).
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
If a patient complains of a painful cutaneous nodule, consider a differential that includes Blue rubber nevus, Eccrine spiradenoma/erythema nodosum, Neurilemmoma/neuroma, Glomus tumor/granular cell tumor, Angiolipoma/angioleiomyoma/angiosarcoma/ arthropod bite, Leiomyoma, Dercum's disease/dermatofibroma, Osler's node/osteoma cutis, Calcinosis cutis/cutaneous endometriosis, and Sweet's Syndrome.
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
If one finds a tumor composed of small, blue cells on pathology, consider a differential that includes Lymphoma, Ewing's sarcoma, Melanoma/Merkel cell carcinoma, Oat cell carcinoma of the lung, Neuroblastoma, and Small cell endocrine tumor.
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
The causes of exfoliative dermatitis (also known as erythroderma) include Radiation, Eczema/psoriasis, Drugs, Malignancy (eg, mycosis fungoides, lymphoma), and Autoimmune (rare dermatomyositis). In many cases, No cause is found.
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
The causes of exfoliative dermatitis (also known as erythroderma) include: Seborrheic dermatitis, Contact dermatitis, Atopic dermatitis, Lymphoma/leukemia, Psoriasis, Idiopathic (often thought of as the most common cause), and Drug allergy. Of note, the layers of scalp can be remembered by the acronym SCALP: Skin, Connective tissue, Aponeurosis (epicranial), Loose areolar connective tissue, and Periosteum.
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
When a black eschar is found on the skin, consider a differential that includes Clostridium, Aspergillus (deep fungal—eg, Fusarium)/Anthrax, Group B streptococcus, Ecthyma gangrenosum (ie, Pseudomonas), or possibly a Spider bite!
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
Behcet's syndrome can present with Recurrent genital ulceration, Oral ulceration*, Skin lesions (eg, erythema nodosum, subcutaneous thrombophlebitis, cutaneous hypersensitivity), Eye lesions (eg, iridocyclitis, chorioretinitis), and a positive Pathergy test (*oral ulceration is a central criterion for diagnosis). Neural and vascular lesions can also be present.
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
Transient acantholytic dermatosis (also called Grover's disease) is more often found in Men versus women. Lesions show Acantholysis, can be intensely Pruritic, and are often found on Sun-exposed sites.
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
The so-called DRESS syndrome (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms), also referred to as drug-hypersensitivity syndrome, is often Due to anticonvulsants, sulfonamides or allopurinol. Skin signs usually begin with a Rash on the face with sterile folliculitis. Eosinophilia is almost always present and Systemic manifestations are common, particularly of the liver. There can also be evidence of Sensitization previously (even with contactants).
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
If you find a subepidermal split with neutrophils in dermal papillae, keep Pemphigoid (bullous), Lupus (ie, bullous SLE), Acquista (epidermolysis bullosa acquista), IgA linear, and Dermatitis herpetiformis in the differential.
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
If one finds spindle cells pressed or "slammed" up against the epidermis, consider a differential that includes Spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma (keratin+), Leiomyosarcoma (SMA+), Atypical fibroxanthoma* (CD68+, vimentin+, CD99+, procollagen-1), or Melanoma (S100+).
*Note: Atypical fibroxanthoma is a diagnosis of exclusion.
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
The symptoms of Albright syndrome include Giant melanosomes, Alopecia, Macules (eg, café au lait spots), Endocrine dysfunction, Osteomas, and Fibrous dysplasia.
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
Waardenburg syndrome can be divided into various subtypes associated with specific gene mutations. Commonly tested gene mutation associations include PAX3 (type I), MITF (types II), PAX3 (type III), and SOX10 (type IV).
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
If one recognizes spongiotic dermatitis with eosinophils in the epidermis, keep Herpes gestationis, Arthropod/Allergic contact, Pemphigus, Pemphigoid, Incontinentia pigmenti, Erythema toxicum, or a Drug reaction in the differential.
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21 Dermatology Mnemonics
Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD | April 15, 2019 | Contributor Information
If one recognizes spongiotic dermatitis with eosinophils in the dermis, keep Dermatophytes, Id reaction, Drug reaction, Arthropod bite, Contact dermatitis, Atopic dermatitis, and Nummular dermatitis on the differential.
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Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD
Medical student
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford, California
Disclosure: Nick R. Love, MPhil, PhD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
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