Superficial contagious bacterial skin infection characterised by pustules and honey coloured erosions

Staph: coag -ve → activates fibrin → loaclised (folliculitis, abscess, furuncle, carbuncle

Aetiology

• In nonendemic (nonremote) communities, most commonly caused by S. aureus, and less commonly by Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus). May be both.
• In endemic (remote) communities, typically caused by S. pyogenes, even if S. aureus is identified by culture (including[CA-MRSA])

risk factors

• areas of broken skin and excoriated eczema
• warm humid climate
• poor hygiene
• crowded environments

Clinical Features

• crusted/non-bullous: yellow crusts and erosions that are itchy or irritating, but not painful. Especially face. May have satellite lesions and red base with gold crust.. kissing lesions at contacting skin surfaces.
• Bullous: irritating blisters with clear yellow fluid that erode rapidly. Usually found on the face, trunk, extremities, buttocks, and perineal regions. Can spread distally due to autoinoculation. Usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus. more likelyu to have systemic (malaise, fever, lymphadenopathy)