Skin infections Flashcards
Describe the pathophysiology of cellulitis
Bacterial infection of the deep subcutaneous tissue
What is erysipelas?
Superficial form of cellulitis
What are the typical causative organisms in cellulitis?
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus pyogenes
Where on the body does cellulitis tend to occur?
Describe the typical appearance of cellulitis (using the SCCAM model)
Lower limbs
- Size: often quite large
- Configuration: irregular shape; poorly defined border
- Colour: erythematous
- Associated secondary features: N/A
- Morphology: patch
What are the typical signs/symptoms of cellulitis
5 cardinal signs/symptoms of inflammation:
- Red
- Swollen
- Painful
- Hot to touch
- Loss of function
Describe the management of cellulitis
Antibiotics (e.g. flucloxacillin)
Which age group does Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS) typically affect?
Children and infants
Describe the typical appearance of SSSS (using the SCCAM model)
- Size: variable/often large
- Configuration: irregular shape; poorly defined border
- Colour: erythematous
- Associated secondary features: blistering and skin peeling; perioral crusting is typical
- Morphology: patch (bullae may be present)
Describe the management of SSSS
Antibiotics (cephalosporin)
What are the main types of fungal skin infection?
- Ringworm
- Candidiasis
Which areas of the body does ringworm typically affect?
- Trunk/limbs (tinea corporis)
- Groin (tinea cruris)
- Feet (tinea pedis)
- Scalp (tinea capitis)
Describe the typical appearance of ringworm (using the SCCAM model)
- Size: variable
- Configuration: single discrete lesion; regular annular (circular) shape; well-demarcated border
- Colour: erythematous
- Associated secondary features: excoriation
- Morphology: patch
Describe the management of ringworm
Topical antifungal
