Module overview
During this module, you will explore all aspects of allergic skin disease in depth. The module teaches about the immunological basis for skin diseases which can have an allergic component including eczema (atopic dermatitis), allergic contact dermatitis, photoallergic dermatitis, urticaria, angioedema, and systemic allergies affecting the skin. The sessions will include detail on pathogenesis, diagnosis, investigations and management. In addition, the module covers how to clinically distinguish allergic skin disease from other similar differential diagnoses. This module comprehensively covers both paediatric and adult disease.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Cognitive Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Propose the differential diagnoses of inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema, and urticaria.
- Interpret diagnostic information from clinical scenarios of skin allergy.
Disciplinary Specific Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Discuss the different forms of hypersensitivity reactions (I to IV).
- Evaluate the pathogenesis, diagnosis, investigation and management of skin allergy.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Solve complex clinical and scientific issues systematically.
- Formulate informed judgements in a clinical and/or scientific setting.
Syllabus
- Structure and function of skin
- Type 1 allergy and the skin
- Type II and III hypersensitivity mechanisms, overview, investigations and management
- Clinical service delivery of allergic skin disease in children and adolescents, including transition services
- How to recognise mast cell driven reactions in the skin e.g. urticaria
- How to recognise cutaneous Type IV reactions e.g. allergic contact dermatitis, latex
- Investigation and management of cutaneous reactions caused by systemic allergy
- Allergic skin disease differential diagnosis
- Chronic urticaria and angioedema
- Urticarial variants e.g. physical
- Atopic dermatitis
- Other variants of eczema
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Allergy to the sun
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
A variety of learning and teaching methods will be adopted to promote a wide range of skills and meet the differing learning styles of the group.
The techniques will include seminars, group work, practical demonstrations and exercises surrounding interpretation of data and clinical scenarios.
Specialist lecturers from a range of academic and health care professional backgrounds will be used to ensure a breadth and depth of perspective is offered, giving a good balance between background theories and principles and practical management advice.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 82 |
| Teaching | 18 |
| Total study time | 100 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
American Academy of Dermatology Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2014 Section 1-4.
Global Atlas of Allergy. EAACI have produced an online Global Atlas of Allergy. To access the atlas, visit http://www.eaaci.org/globalatlas/GlobalAtlasAllergy.pdf.
Rook's Textbook of Dermatology. Ardern-Jones MR, Flohr C, Reynolds NJ, et al. Atopic Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis). In: Griffiths CEM, Barker J, Bleiker T, et al. (eds.) Rook's Textbook of Dermatology. 9th ed. Oxford Wiley Blackwell; 2016. Note: library have the eBook of this new 9th edition.
Useful Journals:. Allergy Clinical Experimental Allergy Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Textbooks
Gawkrodger D and Ardern-Jones MR (2016). Dermatology: An Illustrated Colour Text. Elsevier.
Ardern-Jones MR, Hampton PJ, Vleugels RA (2017). Handbook of Dermatology Treatment. London: JP Medical.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
The assessment for the module provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes. The written assignment will give you the opportunity to (1) demonstrate the depth and breadth of your knowledge of skin allergy, along with (2) showing higher cognitive skills and your ability to make sound judgements.
Summative
Summative assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Assignment | 100% |
Referral
Referral assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Assignment | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External