Derm- skin infections Flashcards
(35 cards)
what is impetigo
highly contagious superficial epidermal infection of the skin primarily caused by staph and strep bacteria; typically affects children
who does impetigo most commonly affect
children
causative organism of impetigo
staph aureus +/- strep pyogens
1st line treatment for impetigo for those who are not systemically unwell
hydrogen peroxide 1% cream
2nd line treatment for impetigo
topical antibiotic creams- usually topical fusidic acid, 7 days
treatment of extensive/severe impetigo
oral flucloxacillin or clarithromycin 500mg + topical fusidic acid
when are patients with impetigo advised that they are no longer contagious
once all lesions have crusted over or 48 hours after starting antibiotic therapy
what is cellulitis
bacterial soft tissue infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue- deeper skin infection
causative organisms of cellulitis
strep pyogens +/- staph aureus
risk factors of cellulitis
advancing age
immunocompromised eg diabetic
predisposing skin condition eg ulcers
1st line medical management of cellulitis
0.5-1g flucloxacilin
management of severe cellulitis
IV flucloxacillin
what is ersipelas
superficial form of cellulitis localised to dermis and lymphatic system
causative organisms of ersipelas
strep pyogens
where on the body does ersipelas most commonly affect
face
lower limbs
how does ersipelas appear on the skin
spreading, well distributed, erythematous plaque
can have Butterfly distribution
if ersipelas affects face where is the likely source of infection
nasopharynx (possibly recent nasopharyngeal infection)
drug used to treat esipelas
flucloxaccilin
how does cellulitis usually appear
generalised swelling usually seen in legs
macular hot erythema with ill defined margins often spreading
systemic symptoms of cellulitis
fevers
rigours
nausea
complications of cellulitis
abscess formation
lymphangitis
sepsis
recurrence of cellulitis
scarring
what is necrotising fasciitis
a rapidly progressive infection resulting in extensive necrosis of superficial fascia and overlying subcutaneous fat that can develop into a life-threatening condition within hours
risk factors of necrotising fasciitis
poor immune function
obesity
PWIDs
peripheral arterial disease
diabetes
how do necrotising fasciitis infections typically enter the body
through a break in the skin such as a burn or a cut
