RT Book, Section
A1 Holland, Kristen E.
A2 Rudolph, Colin D.
A2 Rudolph, Abraham M.
A2 Lister, George E.
A2 First, Lewis R.
A2 Gershon, Anne A.
SR Print(0)
ID 7032645
T1 Chapter 358. Disorders of the Epidermis
T2 Rudolph's Pediatrics, 22e
YR 2011
FD 2011
PB The McGraw-Hill Companies
PP New York, NY
SN 978-0-07-149723-7
LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=7032645
RD 2024/04/19
AB Primary  skin  diseases  that  principally  affect  the  epidermis  may  be  categorized  as  either  a  dermatitis  or  a  papulosquamous  disorder.  Dermatitis  commonly  denotes  inflammation  of  the  epidermis.  Eczema  generically  denotes  edema  within  the  epidermis.  Many  primary  dermatitides  are  eczematous  in  nature,  although  the  term  eczema  is  often  misused  interchangeably  for  atopic  dermatitis.  In  its  mildest  or  chronic  form,  edema  is  seen  histopathologically  as  prominent,  toothlike  interconnections  between  keratinocytes  (spongiosis).  With  more  intracellular  fluid  accumulation,  intraepidermal  vesicles  are  formed.  Vesicles  are  often  subclinical  in  subacute  or  chronic  eczemas  where  edema  is  mild  but  present  as  grossly  evident  vesicles  and  bullae  in  acute  eczemas.  Papulosquamous  eruptions  are  characterized  by  the  presence  of  erythematous  papules  or  plaques  with  overlying  scale.  While  eczematous  processes  clinically  manifest  with  weeping  or  crusting,  papulosquamous  disorders  are  associated  with  little  to  no  edema  and  thus  clinically  tend  to  be  dry.