Bacterial Skin Infections in Children

Bacterial Skin Infections Causes

• Staph Aureus

• Group A streptococcus

  • “Group A Strep”

• Tx for ALL bacterial infection is antibiotics

Impetigo

• Reddened lesions w/ vesicles or pustules

  • Lesions resolve after 2 weeks w/ treatment

• Characteristic:

  • Honey colored drainage

• Contact precautions

• 2 types:

  • Non-bullous (more common)

  • Bullous

• Most common in toddlers & preschoolers

• Little opening on the skin causes the bacteria to get in

Impetigo Tx

• Topical antibiotics

• Severe case are treated w/ oral or IV antibiotics

Impetigo Patient Education

• Gently soak & soften lesions w/ warm, soapy water prior to removal of crusts

  • Then apply bacterial ointment to clean are 3 times a day

• Good handwashing

• Keep nails short

• Prevent scratching as much as possible

• Avoid sharing toys, wash cloths, linens

• No school attendance until 24 hrs after beginning treatment

Cellulitis

• Inflammation of the skin & subcutaneous tissue

  • Area is red, hot, tender, & swollen

• Can be septic

• May be related to insect bites that get infected

• If antibiotics aren’t working

  • A culture is done to assess what bacteria it is

• S/S:

  • Fever

  • Chills

  • May spread rapidly

  • Pain

  • Tenderness

  • Tight/ glossy skin

• Tx for Extremities:

  • 1x IM or IV dose

  • then 10 days of oral antibiotics at home

  • Warm compresses to the area

  • Always mark what are is affected

• Periorbital Cellulitis (Severe)

  • On the eye

  • IV antibiotics & hospitalization

  • Can cause blindness

  • Warm compresses

Scalded Skin Syndrome (Staphylococcal)

• Mostly affects infants

  • Rare after 5 years of age

• Fever, rash then blisters w/ serous fluid develop

  • Blisters rupture & skin peels

• Prevent secondary infections

• Treat them like a burn patient

  • Bathing w/ a Cetaphil

  • Medicate them ahead of time for pain

• Tx:

  • IV antibiotics

  • Fluid management

  • Supportive care

  • NPO

• Contact precautions

• Resolves in about 5-7 days w/ antibiotics & bathing