Essentials of Diseases of the Skin Part 42

Treatment consists in maintaining the body-heat, sufficient and proper nourishment and stimulation.

Sclerema Neonatorum.

(_Synonyms:_ Scleroderma Neonatorum; Sclerema of the Newborn.)

What is sclerema neonatorum?

Sclerema neonatorum is a disease of infancy, showing itself usually at or shortly after birth, and is characterized by a diffuse stiffness and rigidity of the integument, accompanied by coldness, [oe]dema, discoloration, lividity and general circulatory disturbance.

Describe the symptoms, course, nature and treatment of sclerema neonatorum.

As a rule the disease first manifests itself upon the lower extremities, and then gradually, but usually rapidly, invades the trunk, arms and face. The surface is cold. The skin, which is noted to be reddish, purplish or mottled, is [oe]dematous, stiff and tense; in consequence the infant is unable to move, respires feebly and usually perishes in a few days or weeks. In extremely exceptional instances the disease, after involving a small part, may retrogress and recovery take place.

The disease is rare, and in most cases is found a.s.sociated with pneumonia and with affections of the circulatory apparatus.

Treatment should be directed toward maintaining warmth and proper alimentation.

Scleroderma.

(_Synonyms:_ Sclerema; Scleriasis; Dermatosclerosis; Morph[oe]a; Keloid of Addison.)

What is scleroderma?

Scleroderma is an acute or chronic disease of the skin characterized by a localized or general, more or less diffuse, usually pigmented, rigid, stiffened, indurated or hide-bound condition.

Morph[oe]a, by some formerly thought to be a distinct affection, is now believed to be a form of scleroderma; as typically met with it is characterized by one or more rounded, oval, or elongate, coin- to palm-sized, pinkish, or whitish ivory-looking patches. In some instances such patches are seen in a.s.sociation with the more cla.s.sic type of scleroderma just defined.

Describe the symptoms of ordinary scleroderma.

The disease may be acute or chronic, usually the latter. A portion or almost the entire surface may be involved, or it may occupy variously sized and shaped areas. The integument becomes more or less rigid and indurated, hard to the touch, hide-bound, and in marked cases immobile.

[OE]dema may, especially in the more acute cases, precede the induration. Pigmentation, of a yellowish or brownish color, is often a precursory and accompanying symptom. The skin feels tight and contracted, and in some instances numbness and cramp-like pains are complained of.

Describe the variety known as morph[oe]a.

The patches (one, several, or more), occurring most frequently about the trunk, are in the beginning usually slightly hyperaemic, later becoming pale-yellowish or white, and having a pinkish or lilac border made up of minute capillaries. They are, as a rule, sharply defined, with a smooth, often s.h.i.+ning and atrophic-looking surface; are soft, fine or leathery to the touch, on a level or somewhat depressed, and appearing not unlike a piece of bacon or ivory laid in the skin. Occasionally the patches are noted to occur over nerve-tracts. The adjacent skin may be normal or there may be more or less yellowish or brownish mottling. The subjective symptoms of tingling, itching, numbness, and even pain, may or may not be present.

What is the course of the disease?

Sooner or later, usually after months or years, the disease ends in resolution and recovery, or in marked atrophic changes, causing contraction and deformity. As a rule, the general health remains good.

State the causes of scleroderma.

The condition is to be considered as probably of neurotic origin.

Exposure and shock to the nervous system are to be looked upon as influential. It is a rare disease, observed usually in early adult or middle life, and is more frequent in women than in men.

What is the pathology?

In typical and advanced cases both the true skin and the subcutaneous connective tissue show a marked increase of connective tissue-element, with thickening and condensation of the fibers.

Is there any difficulty in reaching a diagnosis in scleroderma?

As a rule, no. The characters--rigidity, stiffness, hardness, and hide-bound condition of the skin--are always distinctive.

The peculiar appearance, the course and character of the patches, of morph[oe]a are quite distinctive.

Give the prognosis of scleroderma.

It should always be guarded. In many instances recovery takes place, whilst in others the disease is rebellious, lasting indefinitely. The prognosis of the variety known as morph[oe]a is less unfavorable than general scleroderma, and recovery more frequent.

What is the treatment of scleroderma?

Tonics, such as a.r.s.enic, quinia, nux vomica, and cod-liver oil; conjointly with the local employment of stimulating, oily or fatty applications, friction, and electricity. Rontgen-ray treatment is often of value, more especially in the morph[oe]a type.

Elephantiasis.

(_Synonyms:_ Elephantiasis Arab.u.m; Pachydermia; Barbadoes Leg; Elephant Leg.)

Give a descriptive definition of elephantiasis.

Elephantiasis is a chronic hypertrophic disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissue characterized by enlargement and deformity, lymphangitis, swelling, [oe]dema, thickening, induration, pigmentation, and more or less papillary growth.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 35. Elephantiasis of moderate development.]

What parts are commonly involved in elephantiasis?

Usually one or both legs; occasionally the genitalia; other parts are seldom affected.

Describe the symptoms of elephantiasis.

The disease usually begins with recurrent (at intervals of months or years) erysipelatous inflammation, with swelling, pain, heat, redness and lymphangitis; after each attack the parts remain somewhat increased in size, although at first not noticeably so. After months or one or two years the enlargement or hypertrophy becomes conspicuous, the part is chronically swollen, [oe]dematous and hard; the skin is thickened, the normal lines and folds exaggerated, the papillae enlarged and prominent, and with more or less fissuring and pigmentation.