Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections in children: diagnosis and current treatment options in the United States.

treatment that allows pathogenic bacteria to multiply on the skin. Uncomplicated SSSIs can occur in the various layers of the skin (Figure 1) and in underlying tissue, and they are classified as primary infections, such as impetigo, or as secondary infections of existing lesions, which include atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and psoriasis. Infections occurring in lacerations, sutured wounds, and abrasions are also classified as secondary infections. The features of the most common uncomplicated SSSIs are described below (Table 1). Impetigo is a highly contagious, superficial, pyogenic skin infection that presents as either a bullous or a nonbullous form. Nonbullous impetigo accounts for more than 70% of cases and is characterized by small vesicles or pustules that rupture and develop a yellow-brown crust. The bullous form is common among newborns but may affect any age-group. Bullous impetigo presents as flaccid bullae (blisters), which rupture easily and leave erythematous lesions. The areas most commonly affected by impetigo are moist, intertriginous regions, such as the neck folds, nose, groin, and axillae. Impetigo can occur either as a primary infection or as a secondary infection to another condition that disrupts the skin barrier, such as impetiginized atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease, which has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. The primary lesions in atopic dermatitis are associated with a high prevalence Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections (SSSIs), such as simple abscesses, furuncles and carbuncles, cellulitis, erysipelas, and impetigo, provide some of the most common reasons for visits to pediatric outpatient clinics. They can also pose considerable diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, largely due to the ongoing evolution of bacterial antibiotic resistance. In this article, we review several of the most common skin infections in children and discuss current treatments, both oral and topical, based on the latest evidence and our clinical experience.