Case 1 Palmar lesion

This man was rather concerned that he was unable to extend his middle finger fully. Over the past six months this had progressively worsened. He recalled that his grandmother had had a similar problem with her hand just before she died many years ago.

A What is the name of this condition?

B Which famous British political leader suffered from this?

Case 2 Teenage foot

This adolescent girl spent a lot of time wearing training shoes.

While changing her socks she was rather alarmed that there was skin peeling from the soles of both her feet. There was no associated itch. Apart from infantile eczema she had no history of any other skin conditions.

A What is the diagnosis?

B How should this be treated?

Case 3 Bald patch

This patient developed a number of areas of hair loss over his scalp and beard area. The skin where the hair had been lost was not itchy or red. He was concerned that it had been caused by wearing a new crash helmet. The condition is called alopecia areata.

A What sign can be seen in the image?

B What treatment can be used to help hair regrowth in the early stages?

Case 4 White nail

Over a number of months the distal portion of this lady’s nail had become white. The condition was painless and she had been concealing the area with nail polish. Other nails were also affected but to a lesser extent. Her toe nails were unaffected. She had no past or present history of other skin conditions.

A What is this condition called?

B Name the three most common causes?

Case 5 Teenager’s tongue

After complaining of a sore throat this boy’s mother decided to examine his throat. The throat was slightly red but she was more alarmed by the appearance of his tongue. Fearing it was associated with the infection he had in his throat they attended the surgery for advice.

A What is the diagnosis?

B What percentage of the population is affected by this condition?

Case 6 Annular finger rash

Following a bout of labial herpes simplex this lady developed an odd looking rash on her hands. The lesions were slightly itchy and in a symmetrical distribution. There were smaller, similar lesions on her arms which had appeared a few days after the ones on her hands. She had no past history of other skin conditions but remembered a similar, but less extensive, rash following a cold sore while on holiday.

A What are these lesions called?

B What is the cause?