Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Hot Tubs, and Skin Infections

Pseudomonas aeruginosa may infect the skin surface, nails, hair follicles, or deeper tissues. We report a 13-year-old male with an asymptomatic green discoloration of the toenails and sole of the right foot. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was cultured from the shoe, but not from the discolored skin. We suspect that constant wearing of occlusive, rubber-soled, basketball shoes associated with hyperhidrosis allowed colonization of his shoe with pseudomonas. This case is unique in that colonization resulted in a green color of the foot not associated with infection of the skin.

contrasting

confidence: 78%

Green Foot

LeFeber

Golitz

1984

“…Otherwise effective treatment remains rather controversial. Topical antiseptic agents are effective in removing superficial cutaneous organisms, but whether they are helpful in treating the deep follicular lesions is debatable (9). Most of the systemic antibiotics effective against P. aeruginosa are quite expensive, have potential side effects, and are probably not indicated on a longterm basis iti this usually self-limited entity (17), although follicuiitis may recur over several months to years unless the source of infection is identified and eliminated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from the skin lesions and from the whirlpool bath. Subsequently, reports have appeared of outbreaks of Pseudomonas folliculitis occurring in small epidemics related to contaminated whirlpools (2-7), hot tubs (8)(9)(10)(11), and swimming pools (12,13). Most patients were young; the median age in two large series was 15 years (range 2-42 yrs) (2,14), which probably represents increased exposure rather than susceptibility (9).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Recurrent Pseudomonas Folliculitis

Trüeb

Gloor

Wüthrich

1994

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has attracted the attention of the dermatologic literature through repeatedly reported outbreaks of folliculitis occurring in small epidemics related to contaminated whirlpools, hot tubs, and swimming pools. In contrast, sporadic cases without these recreational exposures may present a diagnostic challenge. Two sisters, age 8 and 4 years, had sporadic Pseudomonas folliculitis. It is important to recognize the organism as the cause of this recurrent, papulopustular, follicular eruption on the trunk and gluteal regions, also called nonrecreational Pseudomonas folliculitis, to avoid misdiagnosis and mismanagment. Inadvertent therapy with steroids may result in rapid spread of the lesions. Unless a meticulous investigation of contaminant sources in the environment leads to the detection of the vehicle of infection, the dermatitis tends to recur and become chronic.

“…The lesions may be pruritic and generally develop in areas covered by swimsuits. The course of the dermatitis is usually benign, although a few patients have developed systemic symptoms such as lymphadenopathy, fever, and malaise (25,26). Unless deep lesions develop, topical and systemic antipseudomonal antibiotics are unnecessary.…”

Section: Whirlpool Dermatitismentioning

confidence: 99%

Practical Aspects of Bacterial Skin Infections in Children

Tunnessen

1985

Bacterial skin infections are a common reason for children to be examined by a pediatrician. Streptococci and staphylococci are responsible for the great majority of the infections. Because of the variety of lesions produced by these bacteria, there is support for dividing impetigo into "traditional" crusted and bullous forms. Two important forms of cellulitis--facial and periorbital--have potential for serious systemic consequences. The bacterial etiology and treatment of cellulitis, animal bites, and puncture wounds of the foot require special attention for successful outcome.