Common skin infections in children

Heulwen Wyatt1

  • 1Paediatric dermatology, St Woolos Hospital, Newport, Wales. heulwen.wyatt@hotmail.com

Nursing Standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
|August 31, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Common childhood skin infections, caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses, vary in recurrence. Some infections lead to immunity, preventing future occurrences, while others may return.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Children are susceptible to various skin infections.
  • Infections can be recurrent or confer lasting immunity.
  • Causes include bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline common pediatric skin infections.
  • To discuss management strategies for these infections.

Main Methods:

  • Review of common pediatric skin infections.
  • Description of etiological agents (bacterial, fungal, viral).
  • Summary of available treatment and management options.

Main Results:

  • Identified prevalent bacterial, fungal, and viral skin infections in children.
  • Detailed common clinical presentations.
  • Outlined evidence-based management approaches.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the origin and behavior of pediatric skin infections is crucial for effective management.
  • Appropriate treatment can resolve infections and prevent complications.
  • Some infections provide immunity, reducing recurrence risk.

Related Concept Videos

Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Acne Infection01:27

Acne Infection

Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...
The Skin Microbiota01:27

The Skin Microbiota

The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
Infection01:20

Infection

When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
Defense Mechanism Against Infection01:26

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...