Chapter 43

Agents Used in the

Treatment of Skin
Disorders
 The Skin
 The largest organ
 Several functions
 Protective barrier—microbials and trauma
 Senses temperature changes
 Secretes wastes through sweat glands
 Stores fat
 Synthesizes vitamin D
 Provides a site for drug absorption

43 - 2
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.
 Drug Classification of
Dermatological Agents
 Emollients
 Keratolytics
 Local anesthetic agents
 Local antipruritic agents
 Antibacterial agents

43 - 3 (continues)
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.
(continued)
Drug Classification of
Dermatological Agents
 Antiviral agents
 Antifungal agents
 Anti-inflammatory agents
 Antiparasiticidal agents

43 - 4
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.
 Additional Dermatologic Agents
 Debriding agents
 Antineoplastic agents
 Burn treatment agents
 Eczema agents
 Psoriasis agents
 Topical hair agents
 Agents for diabetic foot ulcer

43 - 5
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.
 Topicals

 Available in a variety of forms

 Ointment  Paste
 Gel or jelly  Aerosol foam
 Oil  Aerosol spray
 Cream  Lotion
 Vaginal cream  Powder

43 - 6
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.
 Dermatologic Classifications
 This presentation will discuss three
dermatologic classifications:
 Topical debriding agents
 Eczema treatments
 Psoriasis treatments
 Several classifications, such as
antimicrobials, were discussed in
previous chapters and are not discussed
here.

43 - 7
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.
 Topical Debriding Agents
 Purpose
 Remove dead skin
 Promote healing

43 - 8 (continues)
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.
(continued)

Topical Debriding Agents

 Made of enzymes
 General action
 Digest dead necrotic tissue
 Specific action
 Made of enzymes that digest:
 Collagen: collagenase (Santyl)
 Fibrin in a blood clot: fibrinolysin (Elase)

43 - 9
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.
 Eczema

 S & S of acute or chronic conditions

 Area appears inflamed
 Skin may be dry and may include wet or
weepy drainage
 Definition
 Inflammatory skin condition. Symptoms are
pustules, redness, vesicles, crusts, skin
thickening, and persistent itching and burning.

43 - 10 (continues)
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.
(continued)

Eczema

 Drug agent
 Pimecrolimus (Elidel)
 Topical immunomodulator
 Adverse effects
 Site irritation
 Headache

43 - 11
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.
 Psoriasis
 A chronic skin condition
 Consists of painful reddened papules that form
plaques with distinct borders
 Other patches appear as silvery yellow-white
scales
 Usually located
 Elbows, scalp, knees, and genitalia

43 - 12 (continues)
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.
(continued)

Psoriasis

 Drug agent
 Alefacept (Amevive)
 Immunosuppressant
 Stops the activity of T lymphocytes
 Given intramuscularly
 Adverse effects
• Infection

43 - 13
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.
 Topical Application Methods

 Depend on the etiology of the skin

problem
 Require thorough cleansing of the
skin before the agent is applied or
reapplied
 Must be applied appropriately or the
agents will not work

43 - 14
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved.