Pyoderma in Children

Pyoderma in children is a condition in which ulcerations or large sores develop on the skin, primarily on the legs. This is a condition that is usually caused by staph bacteria and can be easily treated. Pyoderma in children is not extremely well understood and the majority of individuals who have it also have an underlying immune system disorder or weakness that may cause them to be susceptible to pyoderma outbreaks. Often the nodes in the groin are also affected and enlarged with the infection.

Symptoms

• Pyoderma in children often starts out as a cluster of small blisters, according to the Mayo Clinic. These blisters slowly enlarge to become a larger blister, but initially they may look like spider or other insect bites. As the blisters enlarge, they become filled with liquid and join together to form one large blister. Other symptoms include fever, achy pain in the joints and an overall feeling of lethargy. The ulcers or sores may develop with red/purple borders and can appear to be infected and hot to the touch.

Causes

• The causes of pyoderma in children are not especially well understood. According to Healthcare Magic, staph infection is the cause of many pyoderma infections and a skin puncture or wound can be the triggering event to start the infection to fester and thrive. It is thought that immune system disorders can also contribute to an outbreak of pyoderma blisters in especially young children.

Risk Factors

• Although pyoderma can occur in children, it is more common among adults, particularly those in their 40s and 50s, according to the Mayo Clinic. There are several risk factors associated with this disorder, including having Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and hepatitis. All of these immune system disorders result in compromised immune systems, which make an infection like staph more likely if the skin is wounded or punctured.

Treatments

• According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several treatments available for pyoderma. These treatments include antibacterial ointments that are used for wound care. It is extremely important to keep the wound dry and clean during treatment. Another common treatment is the use of corticosteroids for inflammation. Other treatments include the use of immunosuppressant medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and occasionally surgery for skin grafts.

Prevention

• According to the Mayo Clinic, avoiding skin punctures and wounds that may introduce staph bacteria to the skin is the best measure to prevent pyoderma in children or others. Parents should encourage their children to wash their hands regularly to prevent staph from spreading. Parents should also encourage children to tell them immediately if they get injured or wound their skin, as keeping the wound clean is the key to avoiding the spread of infection. This can be particularly true for individuals with compromised immune systems or who have risk factors mentioned above.