bullous impetigo

bullous impetigo,

a form of impetigo in which the skin lesions are bullae instead of vesicles. The crusts are thin and greenish yellow. Infection is treated with oral anti-staphylococcal antibiotics.

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impetigo [im″pĕ-ti´go]

a contagious skin disorder, caused by streptococci, staphylococci, or a combination of organisms and marked by vesicles or bullae that become pustular, rupture, and form yellow crusts; called also impetigo contagiosa or impetigo vulgaris. Impetigo usually occurs in children, especially very young infants because of their low resistance, and is spread by direct contact with the moist discharges of the lesions. If not properly treated, it can be serious or even fatal to newborn infants. Isolation of the patient is recommended if patient hygiene is poor or the patient is a newborn in a hospital. Gowns and gloves are worn if soiling is likely. Impetigo is a particular problem for hospital patients, who may become infected by infected hospital staff. Treatment may consist of local applications of an antibiotic ointment, keeping the lesions and surrounding skin clean, and exposing the lesions to air to encourage drying. Systemic antibiotics are often recommended. (See Atlas 2, Part G).

bullous impetigo a highly contagious type of impetigo, caused by Staphylococcus aureus and characterized by large pustules surrounded by reddened areas; transmission is by direct contact, by fomites, or by autoinoculation causing secondary infections in areas of the body not originally affected.