Skin Infections Flashcards
(35 cards)
What are the causative organisms of impetigo?
Staphylococcus aureus and, to a lesser degree, Streptococcus pyogenes
What are some predisposing factors of impetigo?
Warm temperature, high humidity
Poor hygiene
Skin trauma
What is the appearance of the skin in impetigo?
Small macule that rapidly evolves to vesicle or pustule. Then, there is a superficial erosion with a typical “honey coloured” Yellow crust and rapid extension to surrounding skin.
Affects the face and extremities
What is the treatment for impetigo?
Local wound care
Topical antibiotics
What is folliculitis and what is the causative organism?
Infection of the hair follicule
Staph.aureus is the most common infectious cause
What are predisposing factors for folliculitis?
Occlusion, maceration and hyperhydration, shaving or waxing, topical corticosteroids and diabetes
What is the treatment for folliculitis?
Antibacterial washes
Antibacterial ointments
What is erysipelas and what is the causative organism?
Infection of the dermis with lymphatic involvement, most commonly caused by group A streptococci.
What are the clinical features of erysipelas?
Erythema with well defined margins
The affected skin feels hot, tense and indurated.
Face, lower extremities
Diagnosis: clinical, Lab may show an elevated leukocyte count with a left shift.
Patient may experience fever, chills, malaise and nausea.
Cardinal signs of inflammation
What patients are more at risk of getting erysipelas?
Disease of the very young, the aged, the debilitated and those with lymphedema or chronic cutaneous ulcers.
What is the treatment for erysipelas?
10-14 days on penicillin
What is cellulitis and what are the causative organisms?
Infection of the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue caused most commonly by Str.pyogenes and S.aureus
What patients are predisposed to getting cellulitis?
Lymphedema, alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, intravenous drug abuse and peripheral vascular disease
What are the clinical features of cellulitis?
Affected area shows rubor (erythema), calor (warmth), dolor (pain) and tumor (swelling)
Lesion has ill-defined, non-papable borders.
Children: head and neck, adults: extremities
Diagnosis: clinical. Leukocyte count is usually normal and blood cultures are negative in most cases
What is the treatment for cellulitis?
Antibiotics (will depend on severity and comorbidities)
How does syphilis present?
Initially syphilis appears as a painless sore (ulcer) where theinfectionentered (usually around the genitals, anus or mouth) and may go unnoticed. The sore is known as a chancre.
Single small firm red painlesspapulequickly ulcerates
Widespreadrash (not itchy)and ‘flu-like symptoms appear next (secondary syphilis).
If left untreated, tertiary syphilis may develop years later and cause a variety of problems affecting the brain, eyes, heart and bones.
What are the Solitarygranulomatouslesions that are found in tertiary syphilis called?
Gummas
What tests can be done for syphilis and what is the treatment?
Serologicaltests turn positive about 5 to 6 weeks after acquiring theinfection.
Non-specific non-Treponemal tests (VDRL)
Specific anti-treponemalantibodytests (TTPA)
Treatment: Penicillin by injection depending on the stage of the disease
How does herpes simplex virus present?
HSV-1 affects the mouth and HSV-2 affects the genitals. Sore areas with erythematous base, with vesicles followed by pustules and ulcerations.
How is chicken pox spread?
Spread via airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing. Getting in contact with fluids from a sore.
How does chicken pox present?
Causes anacutefeverand blisteredrash, mainly in children.
Red macules – Vesicles – Pustules – crusts.
Dew drops on a rose petal-white dot on a red macule
What is the treatment for chicken pox?
Treat the symptoms. Calamine lotion for itch.
What are two complications from shingles?
Infection, Post-herpeticneuralgia(burning pain in affected area after blisters have cleared up)
What is the treatment for shingles?
Keep the area clean to prevent infection, pain relief and rest.
