2008-2-Inflammatory+Disorders

=Inflammatory Disorders = By Sara Lambert, Dana Johnson, & Alyssa Miller

Inflammatory skin disorders are diseases of the skin that are often characterized by pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. These three disorders are the most well known of the inflammatory illnesses that affect people.

Psoriasis
=== Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition accompanied by scaly plaques.Psoriasis symptoms can vary from person to person but usually include red patches of skin covered by silvery scales; small, scaling spots; or dry, cracked skin that may bleed. The disease can also be accompanied by thickened, pitted or ridged nails; itching, burning or soreness in the sking; or swollen and stiff joints. Treatmen options for this illness include: UVB phototherapy that permits both rapid control and long-term maintenanc or the combined use of topical chemicals taken with internal medications. ===

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decubitus ulcers (bedsores) **__ A decubitus ulcer is a pressure sore or what is commonly called a "bed sore". It can range from a very mild pink coloration of the skin, which disappears in a few hours after pressure is relieved on the area, to a very deep wound extending to and sometimes through a bone into internal organs. The usual mechanism of forming a decubitus ulcer is from pressure. However it can also occur from friction by rubbing against something such as a bed sheet, cast, brace, etc., or from prolonged exposure to cold. The weight of the person's body presses on the bone, the bone presses on the tissue and skin that cover it, and the tissue is trapped. The tissue then begins to decay from lack of blood circulation. The most common method of preventing bedsores is changing position and keeping the areas that are at risk moving. The treatment for a decubitus ulcer involves keeping the area clean and removing necrotic (dead) tissue, which can form a breeding ground for infection.The use of antibiotics, when appropriate is also part of the treatment.

Picture:
http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/decubitusUlcer-treatments.htm

__**urticaria (hives) **__Urticaria also called nettle-rash or hives or wheals in a common language, simply means itching with rash. Medically, urticaria may be defined as skin eruption, which is allergic in origin and is characterized by profound itching, red circular or irregularly shaped eruptions on any part of the body. Urticaria is an allergic skin disorder. urticaria may appear on any part of the skin. The typical lesions may last for one minute to half an hour. Some may last even longer. It may be restricted to a couple of spots in some patients, while some may have wide spread rashes appearing for days or even months together. There are acute, subacute, chronic and recurring variants as far as the frequency and duration are concerned. Hives can be caused by stress allergens or environment. The best treatment for urticaria is to find and eliminate the cause whenever possible. Antihistamines are prescribed to provide relief and work best if taken on a regular schedule to prevent hives from forming. In severe cases, an injection of epinephrine (adrenalin) may be needed. 

"Decubitus Ulcers - Bed Sore Ulcer Information and Wound Stages." __Legal Help, Directories, Articles, and Forums From ExpertLaw__. 29 Mar. 2008 < [|http://www.expertlaw.com/library/malpractice/decubitus_ulcers.html>.] 
 * Sources **

<span style="display: block; color: rgb(24, 22, 22); text-align: center"><span style="display: block; color: rgb(15, 11, 11); text-align: center">Thibodeau, and Patton. __The Human Body in Health and Disease - Soft Cover Version__. St Louis, Missouri: Mosby, 2001.

"Urticaria - Hives." __The American Academy of Dermatology__. 29 Mar. 2008 <[|http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/skin_urticaria.html>.] <span style="display: block; color: rgb(13, 12, 12); text-align: center"><span style="display: block; color: rgb(24, 22, 22); text-align: center"><span style="display: block; color: rgb(15, 11, 11); text-align: center">"National Psoriasis Foundation." __National Psoriasis Foundation__. 29 Mar. 2008 <  <span style="display: block; color: rgb(13, 12, 12); text-align: center">[|http://www.psoriasis.org>.] "inflammation - definition of inflammation by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.." __Online Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus. Free access.__. 30 Mar. 2008 <http://www.thefreedictionary.com