Dermatology/ Bacterial Skin Infections Flashcards
What is cellulitis?
An acute infection of dermal and subcutaneous tissue characterized by red, warm, tender skin
What organisms most commonly cause cellulitis?
Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococci pyogenes
What part of the body is most commonly affected in cellulitis?
Lower legs
A young, otherwise healthy person presents with cellulitis of the arm. What should you suspect?
IV drug use
What should you think of in a patient with bilateral lower leg cellulitis?
Venous stasis dermatitis
What are the risk factors for cellulitis?
- disruption of the skin barrier
- venous or lymphatic compromise
- decreased immunity
- a previous history of cellulitis
What is the treatment of cellulitis?
- Initial empiric therapy with penicillinase-resistant semisynthetic penicillin or first-generation cephalosporin
- vancomycin in severe infections or in areas with high incidence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus
- surgical intervention with debridement for severe infections
What is the name for clusters of small, red, raised pustules and lesions less than 5 mm in diameter over hair follicles?
Folliculitis
What are the most common pathogens involved in folliculitis?
- S. aureus
- Pseudomonas (especially in hot tubs)
What is the treatment for this condition?
- Warm compresses
- topical mupirocin
What is the likely diagnosis when a patient has lesions that begin as papules and then progress to vesicles and pustules with honey colored crust?
Impetigo
When an abscess forms in the subcutaneous tissues below an infected hair follicle, what is this called?
Boil or furuncle
What is the most common pathogen involved in skin abscesses?
S. aureus
What is the treatment for skin abscesses?
Warm compresses, if small, incision and drainage, if large. Consider appropriate antibiotic coverage, if large or not resolving with compresses.
Intensely pruritic papules or burrows that commonly occur in finger web spaces, waist, and genitals should make you suspect what condition?
Scabies
