WELCOME TO  ERS  4  KIDS  !!
  • Home
  • Blog/NEW Stuff
  • Podcasts +
  • Quick Links
  • ED Orientation
  • Board Review
    • A-E
    • F-J
    • K-O
    • P-T
    • U-Z
  • PEM - Dr. Arnold
  • Ultrasound
  • Articles
    • Next Conference
    • Past conferences >
      • 2010-2012
      • 2013-2015
      • 2015-Current
    • Core Topics/Clinical Guidelines
    • Evidence-based medicine
  • Management Protocols
  • Capnography
  • Case Based Presentations
  • The Musculoskeletal Exam
  • Clinical Guidelines - Presentations
  • Images
  • Radiographs
  • Fever & Antipyretic Use
BULLOUS IMPETIGO

What is it?

One of the three (bullous, non-bullous, ecthyma) types of impetigo, a contagious superficial bacterial skin infection primarily caused by S. aureus, and to a lesser extent, beta-hemolytic streptococci.

Bullous impetigo is characterized by vesicles enlarging to become bullae that eventually rupture resulting in brown, crusty lesions.

Diagnosis

A clinical diagnosis. Cultures of pus/fluid may be of benefit in those unresponsive to antibiotics.

Differential Diagnosis

Contact dermatitis
Bullous pemphigoid
Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Treatment

Topical or oral antibiotics, depending on the extent and location of the lesions. The best topical drug choice is mupirocin (Bactroban), applied every 8 hours. Oral antibiotic choices include cephalexin, clindamycin or dicloxacillin. If MRSA is suspected, then either clindamycin or Bactrim would be appropriate. Duration of treatment may vary, with seven days usually being sufficient.

Reference
http://ww.uptodate.com/online/content/topic.do?topicKey=skin_inf/4600&selectedTitle=1%7E5&source=search_result#H4