Infection of the surface of the skin caused by a bacterium.
The most common bacteria involved are Streptococcus pyogenes (in 70% of cases), Staphylococcus aureus (in 15% of cases), or both (in 15% of cases). The lesions usually appear on areas of the skin that have undergone minimal trauma (insect bites, superficial wounds, varicella lesions).
The lesions are small red papules that rapidly develop into thin-walled vesicles with a reddish bed that quickly rupture and form honey-coloured yellow scabs. The lesions usually spread because the kid scratches them and then touches other parts of the body where satellite lesions appear (self-inoculation). There is usually no fever or other symptoms.
The diagnosis is based on the clinical appearance of the lesions.
Treatment is based on: good general hygiene; nail clipping to prevent the lesions from spreading; and topical or oral antibiotic treatment, depending on their extent.
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