Chapter 25: Integumentary Problems Nursing Care

Skin cancer management forms a major focus, detailing the progression from precancerous actinic keratoses to invasive carcinomas, including basal cell carcinoma as the most common but locally destructive form, squamous cell carcinoma with its metastatic potential, and melanoma as the most lethal variant requiring aggressive treatment approaches including immunotherapy and targeted molecular therapies. The chapter extensively covers infectious and inflammatory skin conditions, ranging from bacterial infections like cellulitis and impetigo caused by staphylococci and streptococci, to viral conditions including herpes simplex and zoster, fungal infections such as candidiasis and tinea variants, and parasitic infestations including pediculosis and scabies. Allergic dermatological responses receive detailed attention, from contact and atopic dermatitis to severe drug reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis requiring intensive care management. Chronic inflammatory conditions, particularly psoriasis as an autoimmune disorder, are explored with emphasis on systemic treatment approaches including biologics and immunosuppressants, while cosmetic and reconstructive procedures including skin grafting techniques are discussed to address both functional and aesthetic concerns.