Bullous impetigo

Bullous impetigo is a bacterial skin infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus that results in the formation of large blisters called bullae, usually in areas with skin folds like the armpit, groin, between the fingers or toes, beneath the breast, and between the buttocks. It accounts for 30% of cases of impetigo, the other 70% being non-bullous impetigo. Bullous impetigo is a bacterial skin infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus that results in the formation of large blisters called bullae, usually in areas with skin folds like the armpit, groin, between the fingers or toes, beneath the breast, and between the buttocks. It accounts for 30% of cases of impetigo, the other 70% being non-bullous impetigo. The bullae are caused by exfoliative toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus that cause the connections between cells in the uppermost layer of the skin to fall apart. Bullous impetigo in newborns, children, or adults who are immunocompromised and/or are experiencing renal failure, can develop into a more severe and generalized form called Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS). The mortality rate is less than 3% for infected children, but up to 60% in adults. Bullous impetigo can appear around the diaper region, axilla, or neck. The bacteria causes a toxin to be produced that reduces cell-to-cell stickiness (adhesion), causing for the top layer of skin (epidermis), and lower layer of skin (dermis) to separate. Vesicles rapidly enlarge and form the bullae which is a blister more than 5mm across. Bullae is also known as Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Other associated symptoms are itching, swelling of nearby glands, fever and diarrhea. It should also be noted that pain is very rare.