An infection caused by the yeast Candida albicans, which thrives in warm, moist areas such as the groin, the axilla, and the submammary region. Diabetic and immunosuppressed patients, as well as those receiving systemic antibiotic therapy, are at increased risk. The organism may be carried asymptomatically in the bowel, mouth, and vagina, causing treated sites [...]
YEAST INFECTIONS Candidiasis An infection caused by the yeast Candida albicans, which thrives in warm, moist areas such as the groin, the axilla, and the submammary region. Diabetic and immunosuppressed patients, as well as those receiving systemic antibiotic therapy, are at increased risk. The organism may be carried asymptomatically in the bowel, mouth, and vagina, [...]
A dermatitis, usually caused by maceration and exposure to irritants, occurring between two folds of skin—eg, between the buttocks, the thighs, or the scrotum and the thigh. Intertrigo often appears as moist, red, and sometimes scaly and pruritic areas in the flexures. Intense itching or soreness may develop from the groin to the perineum, in [...]
An acute eruption caused by a reactivation of latent varicella virus in the dorsal root ganglia of a partially immune host. Herpes zoster may occur at any age, but the peak incidence occurs between ages 50 and 70, and the age-specific incidence increases throughout life. Zoster usually affects otherwise healthy people, but immunosuppressed patients are [...]
Scabies An eruption caused by a mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. The female mite burrows into the skin and deposits eggs, which hatch into larvae in a few days. Scabies is easily transmitted by skin-to-skin contact and can be rapidly spread between residents of the same household, nursing home, or institution. Infestation is usually present for weeks [...]
Lice may infest the head (Pediculus humanus capitis), the body (P. humanus corporis), or the genital area (Phthirus pubis). Elderly people who have poor personal hygiene or who live in an overcrowded environment are at risk for head and body lice. Pediculosis capitis is spread by personal contact or by sharing hairbrushes and head wear. [...]
The age-related decline in immune function is reflected in a higher incidence of certain chronic skin infections, such as tinea pedis. The compromised tissue perfusion and slower healing of aging skin may explain the increased tendency toward bacterial superinfection of wounds in older persons. BACTERIAL INFECTIONS Impetigo A superficial skin infection caused by staphylococci or [...]
The most common drug-induced skin eruption is a fairly symmetric maculopapular, pruritic rash. Eruptions typically appear 1 to 10 days after the patient starts taking the drug and last until about 14 days after the patient stops taking it. The drugs that most commonly cause skin eruptions include penicillins, sulfonamides, gold, phenylbutazone, and gentamicin. However, [...]
An inflammatory eruption characterized by symmetric erythematous, edematous, or bullous lesions of the skin or mucous membranes. In about 50% of cases, the cause is unknown. In the others, the disorder appears to be a hypersensitivity reaction that can be triggered by almost any drug and many infections, particularly herpes simplex. The severity varies from [...]
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (Lyell’s Syndrome) A severe condition that begins with general malaise, skin tenderness, and erythema and rapidly progresses to skin blistering and erosion. Applying a lateral force to the skin causes the overlying epidermis to shear off (Nikolsky’s sign). The cause in about 33% of cases is a drug most commonly a sulfonamide, [...]
