STAPHYLOCOCCAL SKIN INFECTIONS

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Staphylococcus

aureus is a very common cause of skin infection.There are certain factors that increases the risk of staphylococcal infection.Poor hygiene,damage to the skin like trauma,diabetes,skin diseases are some of he predisposing factors.

Staphylococcus is also a very common cause surgical

wound infection

.

Staphylococcal

skin infection

may be divided into folliculitis,furuncle,carbuncle.Other infections caused by staphylococcus are impetigo,cellulitis etc.

Folliculitis is a skin infection that involves the hair follicle and forms a pus filled blister.This superficial infection consist of a pus filled area surrounded by redness.

Furuncle

is a more severe infection,in which the infection has extended from the hair follicle to adjoining areas of the skin and forms a true abscess.

carbuncle

is the most severe of these lesions.In this lesion the infection has extended to involve the sub-cutaneous tissue[tissue lying beneath the skin layer.]It is very painful and occurs commonly in the lower portion of the neck.

Staphylococcus is also a very common cause of

mastitis after delivery

.

For more information on this,please discuss with your doctor and visit other reliable internet sources, or may post any question in the comment section.

Tags: abscess, carbuncle, cellulitis, folliculitis, furuncle, infection, skin, skin boil, skin infection, staphylococcus, surgery, wound

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LACTATIONAL MASTITIS

Lactational mastitis is a very common problem encountered by mothers during lactation. The bacteria causing lactational mastitis is usually,a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus.

Lactational mastitis is a disease that may involve the soft,fatty tissue of the breast,resulting in cellulitis or it may involve the lactiferous ducts [the ducts of the breast]. When the infection involves the lactiferous ducts it is called Primary mammary adenitis .

Signs and symptoms:1.fever
2.breast pain and tenderness.
3. a swelling may form in one quadrant of the breast,usually pointing to the nipple.
4.In case of cellulitis of the breast, the features present early,usually at the end of the first week.But in case of primary mammary adenitis, the features usually present late,usually at the end of 2nd week post partum[after delievery of the baby]
complications: If not treated early and adequately lactational mastitis may lead to breast abcess.

Prevention:BEFORE BREAST FEEDING,ONE SHOULD WASH THEIR HANDS THOROUGHLY, BEFORE AND AFTER EACH FEED TO THE BABY THE NIPPLES SHOULD BE WASHED.

Management:1.Breast support.
2.Breast feeding should be continued with good attachment.Nursing should be started on the un-involved side first.With each feed.the involved side should be mannually emptied .
3.Antibiotics:Penicillinase resistant penicillins are usually used.[Flucloxacillin , is a preferred antibiotic]
4.Plenty of water should be taken.
5.Analgesics[ibuprofen etc] can be prescribed to relieve the pain

For further information on this,please discuss this issue with your doctor.The doctor,s advice should always be taken promptly if someone is actually suffering from this disease.Any more querries feel free to post a question in the comment section.

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cellulitis

hi,good morning.today thought of writing about something else,CELLULITIS a very common infectious disease which actually means infection of the tissues under the skin.It actuallyinvolves the tissues deep to the epidermis i.e the dermis and subcutaneous tissue.It is usually a simple infection to cure.The bacteria enters through minor tears in the skin,which may not even be noticeable.

But the situation can be worse if some risk factors are present.1.elderly

2.diabetes

3.cancer

4.HIV/AIDS

5.receiving long term steroids.

6.SPECIFIC INFECTIONS[infections acquired in brackish water,post-operative cellulitis etc]

Usually the symptome are localised to the area consisting of redness,swelling,pain.But there are systemic symptoms like high fever,malaise,red lines running across the cellulitis,excessive pain not subsiding with otc analgesics,unable to move the effected limb;one should immedietely consult a physician.the individual may require intravenous antibiotics.

Most of the cases of cellulitis respond to an outpatient course of oral antibiotics for 7-10 days.but few cases may require intravenous antibiotic administration.

Most of the cases are caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus.

For further querries on this issue feel free to post your querries.

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