Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Flashcards
What things should be considered when treating a skin or soft tissue infection?
Site, Organism, Host, Environment
What is impetigo?
Superficial skin infection, multiple vesicular lesions on an erythematous base, golden crust is highly suggestive of diagnosis, most commonly due to staph aureus
Who does impetigo most commonly infect?
Common in children 2-5 years of age
Where does impetigo usually occur?
Exposed parts of the body such as the face, extremities and scalp
What are the predisposing factors for impetigo?
Skin abrasions, burns, minor trauma, poor hygiene, insect bites, chicken pox,eczema, atopic dermatitis
What is the treatment for impetigo?
Topical antibiotics (small areas) or oral antibiotics (flucloxacillin) + topical treatment
What is erysipelas?
Infection of the upper dermis, painful red area with associated fever. Regional lymphadenopathy and lymphangitis
What organism causes erysipelas?
Strep pyogenes
What is cellulitis?
Diffuse skin infection involving deep dermis and subcutaneous fat.
Most likely to be caused by strep pyogenes and staph aureus
How are erysipelas and cellulitis treated?
Anti-staph and anti-strep antibiotics.
If disease extensive = IV antibiotics
What is folliculitis?
A circumscribed pustular infection of hair follicle up to 5mm in diameter. Present as a small red papule
Where on body is folliculitis common?
Head, back, buttocks and extremities
What organism causes folliculitis?
Staph aureus
What is furunculosis?
Commonly referred as boils. Single hair follicule associated inflammatory nodule extending into dermis and subcutaneous tissue
What areas of body are most likely to be affected by furunculosis?
Face, axilla, neck and buttocks
What is most likely to cause furunculosis?
Staph aureus
What are the risk factors for furunculosis?
Obesity, DM, Atopic dermatitis, chronic kidney disease, corticosteroid use
What is the presence of multiple furuncles known as?
Neck, posterior trunk or thigh
How should hair associated infections be treated?
Folliculitis = no treatment Furunculosis = no treatment or topical antibiotics. Oral antibiotics may be mecessary Carbuncles = often require admission to hospital, surgery and antibiotics
What is necrotising fasciitis ?
Infectious disease emergency
Erythema, extensive oedema and severe unremitting pain. Haemorrhagic bullae, skin necrosis and crepitus may develop
What systemic features are associated with necrotising fasciitis?
Fever, hypotension, tachycardia, delirium, multiorgan failure
What is the treatment for necrotising fasciitis?
Flucloxacillin, gentamicin, clindamycin
What is pyomyositis?
Purulent infection deep within striated muscle often manifesting as an abscess
What are common sites of pyomyositis?
Thigh, calf, arms, gluteal region, chest wall, psoas muscle
