Category Archives: Skin Infections

Other dermatoses

Bullous impetigo

A 3-year-old female toddler presented with 5 days history of multiple small bullae superimposed on erythematous bases on the dorsal surface of the hand and nearby forearm. Some lesions have been ruptured leaving erosions; however, trails of blisters at the periphery of the lesions were seen on close examination. The child was a febrile and had no systemic symptoms. All lesions were cleared on one week course of oral cloxacillin.

Impetigo contagiosum

A 3-year-old boy presented with multiple, erythematous, oozy and crusted patches with honey-coloured crustation in periorificial distribution mainly around the nose and mouth of 4 days duration. Impetigo contagiosum is a common superficial bacterial skin infection usually caused by group-A beta-haemolytic streptococci and/or Staphylococcal aureus. It commonly occurs in children and can involve any body area especially the periorificial sites of the face. One week course of oral cephalexin plus fusidic acid cream resulted in cure.

Hypopigmented pityriasis versicolor

Hypopigmented pityriasis versicolor is commonly encountered during daily dermatologic practice especially in dark-complexioned individuals during summer time. The neck, chest and upper back are the commonest sites involved. The major concern of most patients is the cosmetic appearance and for some people fear of vitiligo. The current patient is a 21-year-old male presented with relatively large hypopigmented patches on the nape of the neck. On wood’s lamp examination, these patches showed golden yellow fluorescence.

Tinea faciei

A 47-year-old woman presented with an itchy, erythematous, scaly plaque with an active border involved most of the lower half of the face of one year duration. The patient had used many topical corticosteroid preparations prescribed by GPs. Of these preparations, clobetasol propionate and betamethasone valerate in cream and ointment bases had been applied for long periods. Each time she noticed partially and transiently improvement on these agents but shortly later deteriorates with extension of the rash. A cure was obtained on oral Griseofulvin 500 mg twice daily for one month.

Nodular scabies

A 25-year-old male presented with severely pruritic, red, rubbery nodules on the scrotum and penis of one month duration. Family history of scabies was positive. The patient had been treated with 10% sulfur in petrolatum for three consequative night with good response.

Hyperpigmented pityriasis versicolor

Pityriasis versicolor may assume 3 clinical forms: Erythematous, hyperpigmented and hypopigmented rash. Here is a 34-year-old male presented with asymptomatic hyperpigmented brownish slightly scaly patches at the neck region of many months duration. One or more clinical forms may be found in one patient and to accentuate the fine scaly nature of the rash you may need to gently scrape or stretch these patches.