Skin infections/infestations Flashcards
What is necrotising fasciitis?
Severe subcutaneous infection, often involving tissue planes from skin down to fascia and muscle.
What invading organisms are likely to cause nec. fasc.?
Staph aureus
Group A Strep
What is impetigo?
Localised, highly contagious staphylococcal and/or streptococcal skin infection.
Describe skin lesions in impetigo
Lesions usually on face, neck and hands.
Begin as erythematous macules which may become vesicular/pustular or even bullous.
Rupture of vesicles with exudation of fluid leads to characteristic confluent honey-coloured crusted lesions
What is the presentation of periorbital cellulitis?
Fever, with erythema, tenderness and oedema of eyelid.
Almost always unilateral.
What may be the cause of periorbital cellulitis in young, unimmunised children?
Haemophilus influenzae b
may also be accompanied by infection at other site e.g. meningitis
Why is prompt treatment of periorbital cellulitis important?
Can spread to orbital cellulitis.
Orbital cellulits:
• Proptosis
• Painful/limited movement
• Decreased visual acuity
What are the common clinical manifestations of human herpesvirus infection?
• Asymptomatic
• Gingivostomatitis (vesicular lesions on lips/gums, fever and misery)
• Skin – cold sores (HSV 1 lesions on lips).
- Eczema herpeticum (widespread vesicular lesions on eczematous skin)
What causes chickenpox and what rash is seen?
Primary varicella zoster infection
Vesicular rash:
• Lesions start on head and trunk – progress to peripheries
• Crops of papules, vesicles with surrounding erythema and pustules
What causes shingles and what rash is seen?
Herpes zoster
Vesicular eruption in dermatomal distribution of sensory nerves.
(uncommon in children - more common if primary infection in 1st year of life)
What organism causes Scabies?
Sarcoptes scabiei
What is the pattern of symptoms in Scabies?
Severe itching 2-6 weeks after infestation
Worse in warm conditions and at night.
What symptoms are seen in older children with Scabies?
Burrows, papules and vesicles involve skin between fingers and toes, axillae, flexor aspects of wrists, belt line and around nipples, penis and buttocks.
What advice must you give to parents after diagnosing chicken pox?
Keep away from adults who haven’t had chicken pox, women who are pregnant and people who are immuno-compromised (high-dose steroids, chemo)
What can a non-blanching petechial rash that spreads rapidly indicate?
Meningococcal septicemia
