Streptoderma. Local and systemic therapy in the treatment of streptoderma in children Complications and how dangerous the disease is

Treatment of streptoderma in children is not a long process. Despite this, it must be comprehensive, even if the disease is mild. The disease involves the skin and is characterized by a variety of symptoms.

According to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10), streptoderma is assigned the code L08. This section includes pyoderma with code L08.1 and specified infectious lesions - L08.8.

The cause of streptoderma in children is the entry into the body and the conduct of life in this environment by a pathogenic microorganism - streptococcus.

Such a one can attach to the skin, getting there from the following sources:

  • household items: toys, towels, dishes, etc.;
  • from a sick person or from a healthy person who is a carrier of infection;
  • from a person suffering from such pathologies as: sore throat, pharyngitis, scarlet fever, .

The disease is epidemic in nature. Children attending kindergartens, schools, and sections can get sick by catching an infection from another child. The duration of the incubation period is from 2 to 10 days.

Based on the source of transmission of the infection, the modes of transmission of the disease are distinguished:

  1. contact: during direct contact of the skin of a sick person with the epidermis of a healthy person (during games, kissing, etc.);
  2. contact-household: during the transfer of any object from a sick person to a healthy person - toys, towels, dishes, etc.;
  3. airborne: during sneezing or coughing, when infected saliva gets on the damaged skin of a healthy person.

Reasons for relapse

In the normal state of the immune system (both local and general), and the absence of a violation of the integrity of the epidermis, streptococcal infection has no chance of survival in the body; it is simply suppressed.

Relapses, as well as the progressive course of the disease, occur in the following cases:

  • in case of impaired immunological reactivity, which is observed in premature infants, in children with anemia, malnutrition;
  • with the concomitant development of another infectious pathology;
  • with the concomitant development of a chronic skin disease (scabies, lice, etc.);
  • for allergic symptoms;
  • with the concomitant development of otitis, rhinitis (due to the release of exudate from the nose, which irritates the skin).

The development of the disease is also influenced by external factors: high or low temperature (burn, frostbite of the skin, through which streptococci can enter the body).

If personal hygiene is not observed when caring for a child, this also increases the risk of pathology.

What forms can the disease take?

What streptoderma looks like can be said based on the form of the disease. In medicine, there is a division of pathology into the following types.

Streptococcal impetigo

It is difficult to say for sure how streptoderma of this form begins. In some children, the initial stage of development of the pathology is a slight reddening of the skin, while in others, characteristic blisters immediately appear.

At first, a clear exudate is localized in the vesicles, which over time turns into pus mixed with blood. Bubbles can merge with each other into one large spot. To the question Is streptoderma contagious in children, we can say with certainty - yes. The contents of the elements that have burst contain a large volume of streptococci, which, when they come into contact with the skin of a healthy person, cause streptoderma. After the bubbles have dried, crusts remain in their place, and after the latter dry out, blue spots remain.

Bullous and slit-like impetigo

Streptoderma in children appears in the form of large blisters, larger in size than the elements of streptococcal impetigo. After the blisters burst, a crust forms in their place, and after it dries out, erosion occurs with progressive development.

A slit-like appearance on a child’s face is in the form of a nick that appears in the corners of the mouth. An oblong-shaped element quickly bursts, and a crack appears in its place.

Ringworm simplex

Dry streptoderma in children is characterized by the appearance on the skin of rounded elements that have a pinkish or whitish tint. The rash may be slightly itchy.

Impetigo of nails

An inflammatory process occurs around the nails, and the nail plate can completely peel off. The disease develops after injury to a finger or with chronic hangnails. The general condition may worsen.

Intertrigo

Symptoms of streptoderma in children occur in skin folds. The rash quickly merges into one large spot, forming a bright red, weeping erosion. With a long course of the disease, a fungal or staphylococcal infection may occur with the appearance of other characteristic symptoms.

Ecthyma vulgaris

At the initial stage, the pathology has the same symptoms as with the classic form of streptoderma, but with blisters that are more dense. After opening them, ulcers appear containing rough edges and dirty plaque. After the ulcer heals, a scar and pigmentation appear.

Diagnosis of the disease and features of therapy

A dermatologist is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of streptoderma on the hands, streptoderma on the legs and other areas of the body. He will be able to determine the form of the disease and its stage by the appearance of the rash.

To confirm the diagnosis, prescribe additional diagnostic measures:

  • microscopy of epidermal scraping (for fungus);
  • bacteriological culture of the secreted exudate;
  • examination of the skin under a Wood's lamp;
  • RPR test and tuberculin test (to exclude syphilitic ulcers and skin tuberculosis).

Differential analysis of streptoderma on the child’s head and in other areas of the body is carried out with such skin pathologies as herpes simplex, chickenpox, pyoderma, pemphigus, candidiasis, eczema.

How to cure streptoderma is decided by a specialist after examining the patient. Streptoderma in children should be treated as early as possible to avoid negative consequences. The treatment is complex.

Hygiene

Using the right ointment is the first step in the treatment of streptoderma

First of all, it is necessary to maintain personal hygiene. Even if the mother adheres to all other prescriptions of the attending physician, uses prescribed medications, but does not maintain hygiene, the chances of a quick recovery are reduced.

For streptoderma, it is important to follow the following recommendations:

  • in the first 3-4 days after the bubbles begin to appear It is prohibited to carry out water procedures(water is a conductor of infection);
  • those areas of the skin where there are no pathological elements are wiped with a cotton swab dipped in warm water or a decoction of medicinal herbs (chamomile, string);
  • you need to prevent scratching the blisters;
  • The child must have individual household items: a towel, dishes, which are carefully treated after use;
  • plastic toys are washed every day, and soft ones are put away on the far shelf;
  • Bedding is changed daily or ironed.

If there is any, even minor, damage to the skin, it is treated with an antiseptic solution three times a day.

Local therapy

How to treat streptoderma in children, what medications are prescribed and what manipulations are performed? Treatment can be carried out at home, but only in accordance with the prescription of the attending physician.

The blisters are carefully opened using an injection needle pre-treated with an antiseptic.. Next, the surface is treated with a solution of aniline dyes, and a dry antiseptic bandage is applied.

To remove crusts, use salicylic Vaseline, which is first applied to the areas with crusts, leaving for 2-3 hours. The following ointments can also be used in the treatment of streptoderma in children at home.

Dosage, method of application Contraindications Side effects Average price, rub.
STREPTOCIDE, ointment Apply a thin layer, securing with a bandage on top. The frequency of use is determined by the doctor Hypersensitivity, acute porphyria, acute renal pathologies, infants, pregnancy, lactation Allergic reactions 60-80
TETRACYCLINE, ointment Apply a thin layer under the bandage 2 times a day Hypersensitivity, children under 11 years of age Allergic reactions 20-30
GENTAXAN, ointment Apply a thin layer to problem areas 2 times a day, securing with a tight bandage on top Hypersensitivity Pruritus syndrome, dermatitis, urticaria 1300
BANEOTSIN, ointment For streptoderma in children, apply Baneocin twice a day, securing it with a bandage on top Hypersensitivity, severe skin damage Hives, increased dry skin 300
BACTROBAN, ointment Apply with a cotton swab 2-3 times a day, spreading over problem skin, secure with a bandage on top Hypersensitivity Urticaria, erythema, hyperemia 400
  • Streptocide ointment has a pronounced antimicrobial effect and helps suppress infection. The only one disadvantage of the drug - the addiction of pathogenic microorganisms to the substances included in the composition, which becomes the reason for the ineffectiveness of the ointment.
  • Tetracycline ointment has an antiseptic effect, helping to quickly eliminate pathogens. The drug contains an antibacterial substance from the tetracycline group - tetracycline hydrochloride.
  • Gentaxan ointment has a powerful antimicrobial effect due to the gentamicin sulfate contained in the composition. Despite the high effectiveness of the drug, ointment often causes side effects in the form of a skin allergic reaction.
  • Baneocin ointment also refers to antibacterial drugs used in the treatment of gram-positive pathogenic microorganisms. The drug is prescribed to both children and adults.
  • Bactroban ointment includes the antibacterial component mupirocin. The drug helps stop the growth and activity of pathogenic microorganisms and has a bactericidal effect. The drug is used both in monotherapy and in complex treatment of streptoderma.
  • Ointments for streptoderma are prescribed by the attending physician, based on the form of the disease. If local therapy does not help get rid of the pathology, drugs in the form of tablets are used.

Antiseptics

You can disinfect the surface of the skin where the rashes are localized using any antiseptic solution.

Name of the drug, release form Dosage, method of application Contraindications Side effects Average price, rub.
DIAMOND GREEN, liquid Treat affected areas 2-3 times a day Hypersensitivity, weeping skin wounds, bleeding 36
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, liquid Treat the affected areas several times a day with a swab Hypersensitivity Allergic skin reaction 6
BORONAL ALCOHOL, liquid Treat affected areas 2 times a day Hypersensitivity Allergic skin reaction 16
  • The Brilliant Green solution has an antiseptic effect and is used not only for streptoderma, but also for many other skin diseases. Side effects are rare and allows the drug to be used in the treatment of pathology in young children.
  • Hydrogen peroxide is a product that is used to disinfect damaged areas of the skin (which is necessary for streptoderma), as well as to stop minor bleeding and in dental practice. Due to the natural composition of the drug, there are practically no side effects.
  • Boric alcohol has an antiseptic effect and rarely causes irritation skin. It is used not only for streptoderma, but also for other skin pathologies in children (for example, diaper rash).

Systemic antibiotic therapy

In severe cases, antibiotics are prescribed. These could be penicillins - drugs that are most effective in treatment. Macrolides are considered no less effective.

The dosage, duration of therapy, and type of antibiotic are determined by the attending physician. Self-medication with antibiotics is prohibited; they often cause side symptoms.

Name of the drug, release form Dosage, method of application Contraindications Side effects Average price, rub.
AMOXILAV, tablets Children under 2 years old - 2.5 mg, after 2 years old - 5 mg once Diseases of the heart, blood, respiratory system, liver, kidneys, periods of pregnancy and lactation, hypersensitivity to components Nausea and vomiting syndrome, flatulence, allergic reactions, dyspepsia, convulsions 300-400
ERYTHROMYCIN, tablets 20-40 mg per 1 kg of weight, 3 times a day Similar Similar 18-102
FLEMOXIN, tablets 30-60 mg per 1 kg of weight, 2-3 times a day Similar Similar 250
  • Amoxiclav belongs to the penicillin group and rarely causes side symptoms due to its good tolerance by the body. If tablets with this name are prescribed for adults, then for children it is advisable to use a suspension.
  • Erythromycin belongs to the macrolide group and is better tolerated by the body than penicillins. The effect of the drug is identical to penicillins. Long-term use of Erythromycin may cause pathogen resistance to its substances.
  • Flemoxin belongs to the group of semi-synthetic ampicillins. The advantage of the drug is its fairly rapid absorption. The drug belongs to the combination of drugs and is used not only for skin diseases, but also for gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system (including children).

Folk remedies

Tinctures, decoctions or compresses from medicinal plants are effective assistants in the treatment of the disease

How to quickly cure streptoderma at home, are there any folk remedies that are approved for use by both adults and children?

  • Chamomile, oak bark (infusion of these has a drying effect): pour 1 tbsp. l. raw materials 200 ml of boiling water, leave for an hour, strain, apply a compress to the affected area 2 times a day;
  • elderberry bark (a decoction of the bark helps soften the crusts): 1 tbsp. l. raw materials, pour 200 ml of milk, boil for 15 minutes, cool, apply lotions to the affected area three times a day;
  • grated garlic, ground pepper (to eliminate weeping plaques): mix the ingredients in equal volume, apply to a piece of gauze, then onto the affected area, leave for 15 minutes (make a compress twice a day).

You can increase the body's protective function, thereby speeding up recovery, by taking an infusion of hazel bark and leaves: 1 tbsp. l. raw materials pour 200 ml of boiling water, leave for an hour, strain, take 1-2 tbsp orally before meals. l.

How to brew a series for bathing a newborn - read. What should be the temperature of the water for swimming?

Differential analysis and duration of treatment

For example, a herpetic rash is present along with a pain syndrome, while with streptoderma it is absent. Chickenpox is characterized by the simultaneous presence of both fresh pimples and already dried blisters.

Streptoderma does not occur with catarrhal symptoms: there is no cough or runny nose. At the initial stage of bubble formation, they have transparent contents, whereas with other skin diseases it may immediately become cloudy.

Streptococcal seizures differ from herpes ones in that they open quickly, forming cracks behind them. After opening the herpes element, no cracks remain.

The ongoing disease can be accurately determined based on the results of diagnostic measures.

The duration of treatment for streptoderma in children on the face and other areas of the body is influenced by the following factors:

  • age of the patient (children recover faster due to a strong immune system than adults);
  • severity of the ongoing disease;
  • the presence of concomitant pathologies.

If you start therapy for streptoderma at the initial stage of development, you can recover within 7-10 days. When the pathology is advanced, therapy lasts for months.

Features of treatment in infants

When treating newborns, it is important to follow all doctor’s instructions. There is no need to interrupt therapy, even if positive changes in the general condition are visible.

If there is an elevated temperature, the baby is prescribed bed rest and taking appropriate medications (antipyretics: Nurofen or others). Water procedures are contraindicated for this period.

It is necessary to keep your baby's hands clean and his nails trimmed (find out in a separate article). This is necessary because even if the child touches the rash, the risk of secondary infection will be minimized.

The living space where the newborn is constantly located is ventilated daily and wet cleaned. If the baby is breastfed, the nursing mother should eat a healthy diet. Artificial animals are transferred to hypoallergenic mixtures. How to choose the right mixture, what criteria to use to do this is described.

Features of the disease in adults and during pregnancy

The course of streptococcal infection in adults is milder than in children. Complications are rare.

If you ignore the therapy prescribed by your doctor, the rash can spread to large areas of the body.

Treatment of the disease in adults is no different from that carried out for children. The exception is the period of pregnancy, during which many drugs are prohibited for use. Systemic therapy is rarely performed. More often they use local drugs that are not harmful to the fetus.

Complications

Streptoderma can be accompanied by complications, especially with untimely and inadequate treatment. Among them:

  • chronicity of the inflammatory process;
  • rough scars that require cosmetic procedures;
  • development of microbial eczema;
  • fungal infections requiring other specific therapy;
  • dermal atrophy.

Preventive measures

Observe the rules of personal hygiene yourself and teach your children from a very young age. It is better to prevent the occurrence of a disease than to end up persistently pursuing treatment.

We found out how to treat streptoderma in a child on the face or in another area.

It is necessary to take care of the prevention of the disease, how to deal with it and its negative consequences.

Preventive measures include:

  • timely treatment of wounds on the skin using appropriate medications;
  • avoiding scratching the skin if a skin disease develops, an insect bite, or other injuries;
  • maintaining personal hygiene (very important);
  • maintaining a healthy lifestyle;
  • maintaining proper nutrition;
  • avoiding contact with sick people.

conclusions

Streptoderma is not a dangerous disease, but the first symptoms should not be missed. Give the necessary treatment immediately. If you start therapy in a timely manner and carry it out correctly, you can hope for a complete recovery and no relapses.

Streptoderma is a dermatological bacterial disease caused by streptococci. It is characterized by the formation of pinkish, flaky, round spots on the skin.

It is more correct to call this disease streptoderma, since together with staphyloderma, they form a large group of pustular skin diseases (pyoderma). The development of these diseases is based on a purulent inflammatory process that affects the skin and subcutaneous fat. All pyoderma are divided into clinical forms depending on the pathogen, the prevalence and depth of the inflammatory process.

Pyoderma code (staphyloderma and streptoderma) ICD 10 – L08.0. Streptococcal impetigo is classified as L01. Erysipelas (caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci) is classified as A46.

For reference. Streptoderma is a pyoderma caused by streptococci (mainly group A beta-hemolytic streptococci).

Symptoms of the disease are quite diverse and largely depend on:

  • depth of the inflammatory process (superficial or deep streptoderma);
  • localization of the inflammatory process;
  • the patient’s age, the state of his immunity, the presence of concomitant diseases, etc.

Streptoderma - classification

Depending on the depth of the inflammatory process, streptoderma is usually divided into superficial and deep.

Superficial forms of streptoderma are presented:

  • streptococcal impetigo;
  • crevice impetigo;
  • papulo-erosive streptoderma;
  • intertriginous streptoderma;
  • erysipelas;
  • streptococcal toxic shock syndrome;
  • acute diffuse streptoderma.

Deep forms of streptoderma include cellulite (phlegmon of subcutaneous fat) and vulgar ecthyma.

For reference. In some cases, the inflammatory process can be caused by mixed flora (staphylostreptoderma), in which case superficial vulgar impetigo most often develops.

Causes of streptoderma

Normally, human skin is colonized by a large number of opportunistic microorganisms. They constitute its natural microflora and do not cause an inflammatory process.

They also help maintain the skin's natural defense mechanisms.

With a sufficient level of immunity, intact skin has nonspecific resistance (relative innate resistance to some pathogenic microorganisms). Nonspecific resistance is the first protective barrier that prevents infectious agents from entering the body.

Fatty acids secreted by the skin have a pronounced bactericidal effect (destroying) on ​​group A beta-hemolytic streptococci.

Attention. In the presence of risk factors (decreased immunity, skin trauma, etc.), the level of nonspecific resistance is noticeably reduced. Against this background, the inflammatory process can be caused by both pathogenic microorganisms and opportunistic microorganisms that are constantly present on the skin.

Risk factors contributing to the development of inflammatory processes in the skin and subcutaneous fat are:

  • immunodeficiency states;
  • stress, chronic sleep deficiency, overwork;
  • constant hypothermia;
  • work in hot, stuffy rooms;
  • living in regions with a humid climate;
  • work in conditions of high humidity (greenhouses, etc.);
  • violations of the integrity of the skin;
  • deficiency of vitamins A, B, C, E, as well as zinc, magnesium or sulfur;
  • unbalanced diet;
  • hormonal changes (adolescent acne, etc.);
  • endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid disease, etc.);
  • concomitant skin diseases (dermatitis, psoriasis, etc.);
  • failure to comply with personal hygiene rules;
  • improper skin care (overdrying the skin, using too aggressive cleansers, etc.);
  • use of low-quality cosmetics;
  • obesity;
  • the presence of foci of chronic infection (streptococcal tonsillitis).

Attention. Due to the lack of barrier functions of the skin, young children are more predisposed to staphylo- and streptoderma than adults.

What can cause streptoderma

The most pathogenic streptococci for humans, often causing streptoderma, are hemolytic, viridans and non-hemolytic streptococci.

The main cause of all streptococci are beta-hemolytic streptococci of group A. Viridans and non-hemolytic streptococci affect the skin less frequently and, as a rule, cause streptoderma in children or weakened patients.

For reference. The prevalence of streptoderma is determined by the fact that about 45% of schoolchildren (in older patients this percentage is higher) are chronic carriers of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci in the nasopharynx.

Streptococci are transmitted by airborne droplets, coughing, talking or sneezing.

In the presence of streptococcal inflammatory processes on the skin (erysipelas, impetigo, etc.), the infection can be transmitted by contact (personal items, sheets).

For reference. The main difference between streptoderma and staphyloderma is damage to smooth skin.

With streptoderma, the skin around the mouth, the skin of the legs, armpits, over the mammary glands, in the groin and buttock folds, etc. are affected. There is also a peripheral spread of the inflammatory process (from the center to the periphery).

Definition

Streptoderma is a skin lesion caused by streptococci. The disease is caused by various strains of streptococci (most often group D).

Causes

The cause of streptoderma is streptococcus. Streptococci penetrate the skin in the area of ​​microtrauma of the epidermis and cause an inflammatory process of a predominantly superficial nature, however, in the presence of predisposing factors, the development of deep streptodermia is possible.

Other causes of streptoderma may include:

  • decreased appetite;
  • hypo-, avitaminosis, dysproteinemia;
  • metabolic disorders;
  • acute and chronic diseases;
  • physical fatigue;
  • neuropsychic fatigue, vegetative neurosis;
  • changes in the body's reactivity;
  • hypothermia and overheating of the body;
  • local disorders of blood supply and innervation of the skin;
  • changes in skin pH;
  • microtraumas;
  • excessive skin contamination;
  • presence of skin diseases.

Symptoms

Among the main symptoms can be identified the formation on the face, buttocks, and back of light pink spots of various sizes (1-3 cm), which are covered with scales. Usually there is a slight itching and dry skin, sometimes there may be an increase in body temperature, enlargement of the lymph nodes, and an itchy rash. Phlyctenas are also formed - superficial blisters, the serous contents of which quickly become cloudy, and the phlyctenas themselves quickly open, forming erosion, or becoming covered with a crust.

Streptococcal diaper rash, characteristic cracks, and diaper dermatitis also sometimes appear in the area of ​​the folds. After 2–3 days, purulent-bloody crusts form. After the crusts are rejected, a round ulcer with steep edges, a juicy, bleeding bottom, covered with a dirty gray coating, is discovered. Healing occurs slowly - up to 3 weeks and ends with the formation of a pigmented scar.

However, like any other infectious disease, streptoderma can cause complications on internal organs, especially damage to the heart muscle (myocarditis) and kidneys (glomerulonephritis).

Classification

Classification of streptoderma

superficial

pityriasis alba (lichen simplex)

superficial panaritium (tourniole)

syphiloid-like papular impetigo of children

acute and chronic diffuse superficial streptoderma

deep streptoderma

ecthyma: vulgar, penetrating

Prevention

In order not to provoke the recurrence of the disease, you should avoid getting water or moisture on the affected areas.

Streptoderma must be eliminated by drying to form a crust. Alcohol tinctures and salicylic alcohol can be used as a remedy. Once the infection is localized, the wound will heal and the crust will disappear.

If the disease actively progresses, it must be treated with disinfectants. They remove harmful microorganisms, germs, eliminate unpleasant odors and prevent the spread of new ones.

If the disease develops seriously, you should consult a specialist. Streptoderma should be treated with medications. Hormonal ointments and antibiotics are used to relieve especially painful and difficult cases.

After an illness, repeated outbreaks often occur. To prevent relapses, it is necessary to eliminate predisposing factors:

  • cracks in the skin;
  • injuries, scratches;
  • suppurative processes, etc.

If the child’s local immunity is developed, the skin is not damaged, the immune system functions normally, and the proliferation of streptococcus is suppressed by the body. A more severe and persistent course of streptoderma, relapses of the disease occur in children with the following predisposing factors:

  • When a child’s immunological reactivity is impaired: premature infants, with hypotrophy in children, anemia, with helminthiasis (see worms in children, worms in humans), with general infections.
  • In children with chronic skin diseases: scabies (symptoms), pediculosis (lice in children), allergic manifestations, atopic dermatitis
  • And also for otitis, rhinitis, when discharge from the ears and nose irritates the skin
  • When exposed to external factors - high and low temperatures - burns and frostbite
  • Poor personal hygiene, poor child care
  • Prolonged or constant contact of damaged skin with water, lack of treatment.

Causes of streptoderma

The causative agents of the disease, microorganisms of the streptococcus family, are typical representatives of the opportunistic microbial flora of the body - with sufficiently intense local immunity, integrity of the skin and mucous membranes, normal functioning of the body's immune system as a whole, the active development and spread of this microorganism is limited, and the disease does not develop.

Classification

Streptococcal pyoderma is classified according to its course into 2 forms:

The latter is associated with the constant presence of skin injuries, varicose veins, diabetes mellitus and other reasons for the weakening of local immunity and the general condition of the body. The skin at the site of the former conflicts is dry and flaky.

As mentioned above, such a disease is considered a collective term - this means that it includes a whole group of pathological conditions. Thus, streptoderma in children exists in the following forms:

  • Streptococcal impetigo is the most common type of pathology and is characterized by the fact that it affects only the top layer of skin. In such situations, rashes are often localized in the nasal cavity and mouth, on the upper and lower extremities, on the face and other open areas of the skin;
  • bullous impetigo - characterized by a more severe course than the previous form, in particular, large bubbles or bullae filled with liquid are formed. This type of disease requires careful and long-term treatment;
  • slit-like impetigo - expressed in the fact that it is localized in places where cracks form, for example, in the corners of the mouth, on the wings of the nose and in the eye area;
  • superficial felon – formed due to the lack of treatment for streptococcal impetigo;
  • streptococcal diaper rash - lesions of the skin are located in the areas of natural folds and in the behind-the-ear area;
  • erythematosquamous streptoderma - characterized by slow spread and causes significantly less discomfort compared to other forms;
  • Ecthyma vulgaris is the most severe type of disease, since the negative effect of streptococcus spreads to the deep layers of the skin.

During diagnosis, clinicians also rely on the nature of the rash, which is why there are:

  • dry streptoderma - the basis of symptoms is the appearance of spots and peeling of the skin;
  • exudative streptoderma - is such if the formation of bubbles of various sizes filled with liquid occurs. When they are opened, weeping, swelling and redness of the surrounding skin are observed.

According to the method of occurrence, this pathology is divided into:

  • acute – has pronounced symptoms, is quite easy to treat and leads to a rapid recovery of the patient;
  • chronic - proceeds sluggishly, diagnosis is possible only in the phase of exacerbation of clinical signs and requires long-term treatment. Often leads to complications. Sometimes a child may suffer from the disease throughout his life.

Depending on the depth of damage to the skin, streptoderma occurs:

However, depending on the location of the rash, several clinical forms of this disease are distinguished:

Depending on the pathogen, the following clinical forms of the disease are distinguished:

  • streptococcal impetigo (streptoderma);
  • staphylococcal impetigo;
  • vulgar impetigo - caused by mixed flora, that is, streptococci and staphylococci at the same time.

Stages of the disease

There are 3 stages of the disease:

  1. Bullous (vesical). The initial stage is characterized by the eruption of blisters with pus in the lesion. First, a red spot appears, and within a day a phlyctena (bubble) forms. Over time, the number of bubbles increases. The size of the bubbles can be very different.
  2. Non-bullous. The skin at this stage is deeply affected, the blisters do not heal well. Ulcers form - streptococcal ecthyma. Soon they begin to dry out.
  3. Chronic stage. Develops with neglected or improper treatment. Characterized by occasional weeping rashes.

Symptoms and signs of streptoderma

The main manifestations of the disease are:

Most often, impetigo affects the face and hands. On slightly reddened skin, small bubbles up to 1 mm appear - phlyctenas, collected in groups; inside the phlyctenas there is a cloudy white or yellowish liquid.

After the bubbles open, the leaked liquid dries, forming yellowish crusts or scales on the skin. After the crusts fall off, redness of the skin persists for some time.

After recovery, hyperpigmentation may remain at the site of redness for several months.

Symptoms and forms of the disease

Common symptoms can occur with any common form of the disease and include:

  • increase in body temperature to 38 °C and above
  • poor health
  • intoxication
  • headache
  • pain in muscles and joints
  • nausea, vomiting
  • inflammation of the lymph nodes in the area of ​​infection
  • changes in blood tests

The duration of the disease depends on the shape and severity of the lesion and ranges from 3 to 14 days. Depending on the location and depth of the lesion in children, several of the most common forms of streptoderma are distinguished.

Streptococcal impetigo

The classic, most common and frequently occurring form. In this case, the child develops single small rashes of a characteristic appearance on the skin of the face, hands, feet and other open areas of the body. Streptoderma in the nose usually also occurs in the form of classic impetigo.

The latent period lasts about a week. After its completion, round or oval pink spots appear on the skin of an infected person, covered with fine-plate scales, quickly degenerating into purulent-vesicular elements.

The diameter of these spots can reach 5 cm, while the favorite places for their localization are the face, buttocks, limbs of the patient and his back.

Streptoderma code according to ICD 10: L01

Depending on the depth of skin damage, two forms of the disease are distinguished:

  • streptococcal impetigo (in this case, the blisters quickly open and heal without leaving any traces behind);
  • ordinary ecthyma (in this case, the germ layer of the skin is damaged and after healing of the opened blisters, scars remain).

Subjective sensations with streptoderma are usually absent: in some cases, patients complain of dryness of the affected skin and slight itching. With extensive lesions of streptococcal infection, the patient may have a low-grade fever and enlarge regional lymph nodes.

Initially, streptoderma is strictly localized, but in the absence of adequate and timely treatment, with frequent contact with water, as well as with neglect of personal hygiene rules, it quickly spreads.

In this case, the disease manifests itself in the form of large lesions with uneven edges and exfoliating epidermis along their periphery. After deliberate or careless opening of purulent blisters, yellowish-brown crusts form on the surface of the patient’s body.

When these crusts are removed, an erosive, bright pink surface is exposed.

Diagnostics

Either a pediatrician or a pediatric dermatologist knows how to carry out diagnostic measures and formulate tactics on how to treat such a disease. The doctor can make the correct diagnosis during the initial examination, but other manipulations may be required to establish the form of the disease.

First and foremost, the clinician should:

  • study the patient’s medical history to identify the underlying disease in secondary streptoderma;
  • collect and analyze life history to establish the route of infection;
  • carefully examine the affected areas of the skin;
  • interview the parents of the young patient in detail to determine the severity of the symptoms and the severity of the disease.

Laboratory research is limited to:

  • bacterial culture separated from blisters;
  • microscopic examination of scrapings from damaged skin;
  • general clinical analysis and blood biochemistry;
  • tuberculin tests;
  • coprograms.

In cases where the doctor suspects a severe course of streptoderma with damage to internal organs, general instrumental procedures will be required, including ultrasound, radiography, CT and MRI.

It is necessary to differentiate such a disease from:

The diagnosis is made by an experienced pediatric dermatologist or pediatrician based on the characteristic appearance of the elements, usually immediately. In doubtful and severe cases, cultures of the discharge from the elements are done for microflora, usually immediately with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics, in order to begin effective therapy as early as possible.

In severe cases, a general blood test must be taken, in which an increase in ESR, the number of leukocytes and a change in their formula towards neutrophilia can be detected. Sometimes the doctor may prescribe additional tests to identify or exclude concomitant diseases:

The diagnosis of impetigo consists of the following criteria:

In the process of making a diagnosis, the disease is differentiated from diseases such as pityriasis versicolor, urticaria, atopic dermatitis, pyoderma and eczema. The main criteria for diagnosing the disease are:

  • stay in the affected area;
  • presence of a characteristic clinical picture.

In addition, during the diagnostic process, microscopic examination and bacteriological culture of stain scrapings are performed. In this case, streptococci are found in the material taken from scraping from an infected person.

Treatment

Any streptoderma should be treated by a dermatologist. Doing something on your own is unacceptable, especially in complex forms, for example, SSTS or acute diffuse form.

The table describes the treatment methods used for streptococcal suppuration of the skin.

Type of treatmentMethods and preparations
Local drug treatment
  • for a small area of ​​rash, treat blisters and crusts, as well as the skin around them, topically with alcohol solutions of aniline dyes (muchsine, brilliant green) or a saturated solution of potassium permanganate;
  • Wipe the skin around the rash with boric or salicylic alcohol;
  • for opened peels, use aqueous solutions of aniline dyes;
  • when wet, make lotions and bandages with anti-inflammatory and disinfectants;
  • after drying and for ecthyma - ointments with an antibiotic or disinfectant component;
  • after removing inflammatory foci during diaper rash, wipe with salicylic or boric alcohol and apply powder.
Systemic drugs
  • vitamin therapy;
  • immunostimulating drugs;
  • for large areas of damage - systemic antibiotics (cephalosporins, macrolides);
  • antihistamines to relieve itching;
  • intravenous administration of immunoglobulins for toxic shock syndrome.
Diet
  • exclude fatty, sweet, highly salted foods, as well as various seasonings from the diet;
  • Proteins should predominate in the diet.
Skin care
  • the affected areas should not be washed, only treated with disinfectant solutions or decoctions;
  • Wash clean skin with antibacterial soap.
Traditional methods
  • can be used as an adjuvant therapy with the approval of the attending physician;
  • powder made from crushed oak bark and horsetail - for healing ulcers;
  • compresses made from St. John's wort oil;
  • lotions from decoctions of oak bark;
  • lotions of black pepper and garlic juice, taken in equal parts;
  • chamomile decoction lotions.

Sometimes the treatment of streptoderma is supplemented with homeopathy. It is also necessary to eliminate the indirect causes of the disease, for example, to achieve remission of atopic dermatitis, the treatment of which is described not only by dermatology and immunology, but also by psychosomatics.

Streptoderma can also be treated with the additional use of physiotherapy in the form of light therapy. In difficult cases, surgical intervention is required.

To prevent re-infection and the spread of infection, preventive measures must be followed.

The pathology can be cured using the following conservative methods:

  • oral medication;
  • the use of local medicines - ointments and antiseptics;
  • physiotherapeutic procedures;
  • diet;
  • use of traditional medicine recipes.

Treatment of streptoderma in children with medications includes:

  • antibacterial substances;
  • antihistamines;
  • multivitamins;
  • immunomodulators.

The following antiseptics are indicated for local use:

  • hydrogen peroxide;
  • fucorcin;
  • salicylic alcohol;
  • boric acid;
  • brilliant green.

A list of how streptoderma is treated in children using ointments:

  • "Mupirocin";
  • "Tetracycline ointment";
  • "Altargo";
  • "Levomekol";
  • "Baneotsin";
  • "Levomitil";
  • "Ichthyol ointment";
  • "Gentamicin ointment";
  • "Lincomycin ointment."

The most effective physiotherapeutic procedures are:

  • UFOK;
  • UFO and UHF;
  • laser therapy.

Treatment at home can only be carried out after the approval of the attending physician and is intended for use as lotions:

Any form of streptoderma, even local, requires mandatory treatment, as it tends to spread, is contagious and, in addition, streptococcus can provoke such serious autoimmune diseases as rheumatism, glomerulonephritis or endocarditis.

Hygiene rules

In some cases, this turns out to be enough, in others, they are very surprised when it turns out that the child cannot recover from a seemingly minor illness for several weeks, new rashes appear, and other family members become infected.

Mandatory hygiene aspects when treating streptoderma in children:

  • do not wash for at least 3-4 days, do not wet the affected areas with water, as it is an excellent carrier of infection in this case;
  • Gently wipe unaffected areas of the skin with a damp towel or a cotton swab dipped in water or a decoction of string/chamomile;
  • ensure that the child does not scratch the affected areas; in addition to purely mechanical restrictions, antihistamines, which are prescribed by a doctor, also help to reduce itching of the skin;
  • the child must have an individual towel hanging separately from the towels of other family members;
  • individual dishes and cutlery, which must be carefully processed after a sick child has used them;
  • It is better to remove soft toys during the period of illness, and wash plastic ones regularly;
  • constantly change or iron the child’s bed linen, especially pillowcases, with a hot iron;
  • If there are minor skin lesions, treat them regularly with an antiseptic.

Local treatment

What to do if your child has this disease? Regardless of the location of the lesions on the skin and their number, when streptoderma is detected, treatment for this disease is mandatory.

Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial infection and must be treated with antibiotics, especially in children.

The drugs of choice in this case are “protected” penicillins (Augmentin, amoxiclav), as well as 1-2 generation cephalosporins (cephalexin, cefotaxime). In mild cases, medications are prescribed orally, in severe cases - intramuscularly or intravenously.

Local treatment can complement antibacterial therapy. Phlyctenes are treated 2-3 times a day with an alcohol solution of brilliant green or methylene blue.

If the lesion is small and no general infectious phenomena are observed, you can not take antibiotics orally and limit yourself to treating the diseased skin with antibacterial ointments, creams or lotions, most often based on mupirocin or eryromycin.

Also, only local treatment can be used in adults, especially if impetigo is secondary.

During the entire treatment period, the child should not attend kindergarten. It is necessary to ensure compliance with the rules of personal hygiene, especially the cleanliness of hands, so that the patient, when scratching the affected skin, does not spread bacteria to healthy areas.

In cases where the foci of streptoderma on the patient’s skin are single and the patient’s general condition does not suffer, only local treatment of the disease is carried out.

In all other cases, in addition to local remedies, patients are prescribed general tonic drugs, ointments with a broad-spectrum antibiotic, vitamin therapy, therapeutic ultraviolet irradiation of the affected areas of the skin, hemotherapy, and UV irradiation of the blood.

During the treatment period, patients are instructed to completely avoid any contact with water, and to thoroughly wipe healthy areas of the skin with a cotton swab soaked in a decoction of chamomile flowers or other antiseptic medications.

Children with streptoderma are not allowed into children's groups. In addition, those who have close contact with them are also isolated for 10 days.

Pustules and blisters in the lesions are carefully opened at the base with a sterile needle and treated twice a day with brilliant green, methylene blue or other aniline dyes.

After treatment, dry aseptic dressings with disinfectant solutions and ointments are applied to the lesions. The crusts formed during streptoderma are carefully lubricated with salicylic petroleum jelly: this allows you to painlessly remove them after 20–25 hours.

The development of the disease is often accompanied by the appearance of non-healing marks on the patient’s face, which must be regularly and thoroughly wiped with 2% silver nitrate. For long-term and indolent streptoderma, patients are recommended to be treated with antibacterial therapy.

Complications and how dangerous the disease is

If treated incorrectly and untimely, microbial eczema will follow. The complication can be diagnosed by drops of serous fluid, which is released against a reddened background of microerosions.

In the vast majority of cases, impetigo goes away without consequences. However, there are situations when this disease can cause irreparable harm to the body.

Streptococcal impetigo, like any other streptococcal infection (erysipelas, scarlet fever, sore throat, etc.) can cause a malfunction of the immune system due to which the kidneys (nephritis) or heart (myocarditis, rheumatism) can suffer.

Prevention

  • personal, including personal hygiene, frequent changes of linen, proper treatment of wounds;
  • general measures involve isolation of patients.

It is also necessary to have a balanced diet that provides the body with important vitamins and microelements, and to quit smoking and alcohol.

In the outbreak of infection, quarantine is mandatory - children are separated for at least 10 days (for the maximum duration of the incubation period).

During the treatment process, it is necessary to use a therapeutic diet consisting of easily digestible and nutritious foods, in which it is necessary to limit sweets, fatty and spicy foods.

If a patient with impetigo appears in a family or children's group, then it is necessary to use several simple rules aimed at preventing the spread of the disease.

  • Observe personal hygiene rules, wash your hands and face thoroughly, preferably using antibacterial soap.
  • Change your underwear and bed linen more often.
  • Use only individual personal hygiene items, especially towels.
  • Cut a sick child's nails short.
  • When treating rashes, use medical gloves.

Measures aimed at reducing the risk of streptoderma infection include:

  • maintaining a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle;
  • timely antiseptic treatment of any skin injuries (bites, cuts, scratches, abrasions);
  • timely treatment of chronic and acute diseases;
  • balanced diet;
  • maintaining personal hygiene;
  • stimulation of the immune system.

Streptoderma leaves behind multiple scars and spots on the skin. Early treatment will help minimize their number.

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Children are very sensitive to various infectious agents. Streptoderma, characterized by a rash on the body and other negative manifestations, occurs against the background of damage to the body by streptococcal bacteria. The article contains information about what kind of disease this is, how it begins, how to treat it, and how the rashes look in the photo.

Pyoderma, which occurs against the background of damage to the body by streptococci, is also called streptoderma. When the disease occurs, rashes in the form of conflicts form on the body of a child or adult. The pathology is divided into superficial type (streptococcal impetigo, seizures, felon, dry streptoderma) and deep (chronic ulcerative-vegetative pyoderma, common ecthyma and others).


Infection occurs through close contact of a healthy person with a carrier of streptococcal infection. Incubation lasts approximately 6-7 days, which depends on the strength of the child’s immunity. In a chronic course, ulcers form on the body that do not heal over a long period. Pathology code according to ICD-10 is L08.

What you need to know about the infection

Some interesting facts about streptococcal infection:

  • More often, streptoderma in children and adults is diagnosed in areas with tropical and subtropical climates.
  • Streptococci are the causative agents of such common diseases as tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and others.
  • According to medical statistics, every fiftieth child suffers streptoderma.
  • The chronic deep form of dermatitis is more difficult to treat.
  • About 40% of all skin diseases are caused by streptococcal bacteria.
  • Pathology ranks first among all skin diseases that affect children (about 60%).

Most often, children under 7 years old suffer from this disease, which is associated with underdeveloped immune defenses of the body.

Like other infectious diseases, streptoderma can cause its own complications in a child. In mild cases, foci of infection spread locally. If there is no treatment, the bacteria attack the internal organs, causing inflammatory processes in them.


When the nasopharynx is affected, sinusitis, sinusitis, and sore throat occur. If bacteria enter the ear, otitis media develops. If the lungs are affected, pneumonia is diagnosed. The spread of streptococci in the heart area leads to endocarditis. Damage to the skull is fraught with meningitis and meningoencephalitis. Improper treatment or lack thereof often leads to the formation of non-healing ulcers or the development of microbial eczema.

Causes of streptoderma

Skin disease is divided into several forms. Among them are the following:

  • Primary – develops when an infectious agent comes into contact directly with the skin. In this case, an inflammatory process occurs.
  • Secondary is a form in which streptococci join an existing pathology in a child (eczema, herpes simplex, chickenpox and others).

The causative agent of the disease is streptococcus. The organism belongs to opportunistic bacteria, which are frequent “residents” of the human body. The bacterium lives on the skin without penetrating into the body due to the human immune defense. If natural defenses weaken, the likelihood of developing streptoderma increases. In this case, rashes appear on the body in the form of spots of various diameters, which take a long time to heal, with the formation of characteristic crusts.

Skin is the largest human organ that protects from the effects of negative environmental factors. Under the influence of various provoking factors, this protection is weakened, which can cause streptoderma in a child.


The causes of the disease include:

  • Mechanical damage to the dermis. Skin injuries, even such as scratches, cuts, abrasions. They are a predisposing factor for the penetration of various pathogens into the body.
  • Hormonal disorders in the body. Hormones perform important functions. Thanks to them, metabolic processes and body growth are carried out. Hormonal imbalances lead to dry skin, cracks, redness of the dermis and other negative symptoms. This can contribute to the development of streptoderma.
  • Fluctuations in the pH level of the dermis. Normally, pH should range from 5.2 to 5.6 units. This provides reliable protection against pathogenic agents. If the pH is disturbed, the risk of various skin pathologies increases.
  • the presence of chronic inflammatory processes on the skin.

The risk group includes children with a genetic predisposition to allergic reactions and various dermatitis (urticaria, seborrheic, atopic dermatitis and other diseases).

Child's immune protection

Human immunity is necessary to protect the body from various pathogenic agents. Decreased immunity often causes many diseases, in particular streptoderma.


Causes of weakened immunity:

  • Diseases of the digestive system (ulcers, gastritis, duodenitis).
  • Pathologies of the endocrine system (diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, adrenal insufficiency).
  • Poor nutrition - eating large amounts of sweet, salty, smoked, fatty foods can lead to a decrease in immune defense.
  • Lack of vitamins. Like poor nutrition, a deficiency of certain microelements causes a weakening of natural defenses, which often leads to streptoderma.
  • Stress, chronic fatigue, and taking certain medications during treatment of other diseases can provoke a deterioration of the immune system.

Poor immunity is also often a consequence of circulatory problems in the body, for example, due to the formation of blood clots, hyperemia and other conditions.

How to understand that a child has streptoderma? Infectious pathologies begin with the incubation period. The disease in question is no exception. Many children can carry the infection for a long time without spreading it to others. Due to weakened immunity and under the influence of other provoking causes, streptococci enter the active stage. This is the beginning of the incubation period. It usually takes from 3 to 10 days. At this time, the child does not show any symptoms.


After the end of incubation, streptoderma goes through three stages:

  1. Bubble. At this stage, damage to the superficial layers of the dermis occurs, characterized by the formation of inflammatory areas on the skin with rashes in the form of small blisters. Bubbles with purulent contents form 24 hours after the red spots appear. The number of these bubbles varies greatly, from a few pieces to dozens. The rash tends to merge. After the wounds heal, no traces remain on the skin.
  2. Bullous. This stage is characterized by deeper damage to the child’s skin. In this case, ulcers of quite large sizes appear (streptococcal erythema). The patient's condition is characterized as severe or moderate. After the crusts are rejected, scars remain on the body. Treatment of pathology takes a fairly long period.
  3. Chronic stage. Chronic streptoderma develops with improper treatment or its absence. In this case, quite extensive and deep areas of damage appear on the child’s body. After the wounds heal, characteristic pigment spots remain on the dermis, and the dermis peels off for a long time.

The most dangerous is the bullous and chronic form. To prevent possible complications, it is necessary to treat the pathology when the first symptoms appear. To do this, parents need to show the baby to a pediatrician or dermatologist. Self-medication is extremely dangerous for the child’s health.

Symptoms of streptoderma depending on the type of disease

Streptococci cause a huge number of types of streptoderma in children. These forms differ from each other according to such characteristics as the localization of the rash, the external manifestations of the disease, the severity of the course, etc. Let's take a closer look at the common forms of the disease.

This form of pathology is usually acute and rapid. Symptoms of the disease include the formation on the face, nose, and less often on the limbs and buttocks, pink spots with a whitish coating and characteristic peeling. When diagnosing, dry streptoderma is often confused with allergic dermatitis.


In most cases, children easily tolerate this form of the disease. There is no itching or other negative manifestations. It is rare to see an increase in body temperature in the patient and other complaints in this form of the disease.

In the absence of proper treatment, dry streptoderma can become chronic. With this course, other pathogenic microorganisms can join, which causes seizures, angular stomatitis, eczematous processes and other complications.

Streptococcal or contagious impetigo is a skin disease that occurs mainly in childhood, as well as in women with dry and sensitive dermis.


The disease is characterized by the formation of purulent blisters on the skin. When they are opened, crusts with a yellowish tint remain on the dermis. In a typical course, the localization of the rash is noted mainly on the face. Treatment is carried out using antibiotics and disinfectants.

Bullous impetigo

This form of streptoderma is more severe in children. With it, blisters containing serous fluid appear on the body. With the further development of the disease, it turns into purulent contents. After opening the bula, an ulcer remains on the body, which takes quite a long time to heal.

Symptoms characteristic of bullous impetigo:

  • increased body temperature;
  • weakness, loss of appetite;
  • moodiness;
  • sleep disturbance;
  • enlarged lymph nodes.

The duration of the disease is about two months. If left untreated, the child experiences various complications.

The rash in this form of the disease is localized in the corners of the mouth, in the area of ​​the eyes and wings of the nose. When the crusts crack, the child experiences pain and the wound bleeds.


In the absence of proper therapy, the pathology becomes chronic, which can be quite difficult to cope with.

This form of the disease is caused by streptococcal, less often streptococcal-staphylococcal infection. This type of streptoderma is localized mainly in the buttocks, lower back, and less often on the arms, legs, fingers, head, face, stomach, eyes and even in the ear. At the beginning of the disease, several spots with a diameter of up to 2 cm appear on the body. The papule is filled with serous-purulent contents. After opening the vesicle, a reddish edematous rim appears around it.


In place of the papule, a deep ulcer appears, quite painful, with jagged edges. After 3-4 weeks, the wound scars, leaving a patch of skin with pigmentation in its place. With weakened immunity, new formations appear over the course of a month, streptoderma is complicated by lymphadenitis or lymphangitis.

Periungual or superficial panaritium

With this form of streptoderma, a purulent process develops in the area of ​​the nail plate. Inflammation can affect both the roller and the tissue under the nail plate.

Symptoms of the disease in a child:

  • redness and swelling of the skin around the nail;
  • general deterioration of health;
  • chills;
  • headache;
  • loss of appetite;
  • moodiness;
  • enlargement and inflammation of the lymph nodes;
  • increase in body temperature.

If these signs are detected, contacting a medical facility should be mandatory. In the absence of proper treatment, complications such as lymphadenitis, phlegmon, and blood poisoning may occur.

Streptococcal stomatitis

Stomatitis is an inflammation of the oral mucosa. One form of the disease is caused specifically by streptococci. Symptoms of the pathology include swelling of the mucous membrane and redness. In severe cases, white bubbles appear in the child’s mouth - pustules, erosions, bleeding gums.

If stomatitis has developed, it is necessary to make an appointment for the little patient to see a dentist. If treated incorrectly, the disease can cause otitis media, purulent tonsillitis and other serious complications.

A dermatologist makes a diagnosis of childhood streptoderma. A competent doctor can determine pathology only by visual signs in a patient. The specialist takes into account the presence or absence of signs such as conflict, crusts, cracks, ulcers, and erosions.


The diagnosis is confirmed using laboratory tests. In this case, the child may be prescribed the following procedures:

  • bacterial culture of discharge from vesicles;
  • scraping the skin in the affected area for fungal infections;
  • examination of diseased areas through a Wood's lamp.

Sometimes when making a diagnosis, the doctor may have doubts. In such situations, streptoderma is differentiated from similar skin pathologies. In case of chronic recurrent course of the pathology, a child may need to undergo an ultrasound, stool analysis for worm eggs, consultation with a gastroenterologist and other specialists.

Differential diagnosis

Many skin pathologies have a very similar course to streptoderma. To exclude certain diseases, differential diagnosis is carried out. Let's look at diseases that are similar in clinical picture.

Unlike herpes, streptococcal infections quickly burst open, which is accompanied by the formation of painful cracks in the corners of the mouth. With herpes, the blisters persist for a longer period and, as a rule, there are no cracks after them.


Streptoderma often appears on previously injured areas of the body. Herpes occurs in a clean area of ​​the dermis. In addition, with pyoderma there is no itching characteristic of herpes infection.

Allergic rash

Some forms of allergies in children are characterized by the appearance of small-diameter bubbles on the skin, as with streptoderma. An allergy can, as a rule, be confused with an infection caused by streptococci in the initial stages of the pathology. The main distinguishing feature of allergies is that the rash turns pale when you press on it. This does not happen with streptoderma.

Any skin disease accompanied by the appearance of rashes of purulent etiology on the body is called pyoderma in medical practice. Streptoderma is just a type of pyoderma. Streptococci, when affecting the skin, form clear, rather than cloudy, pus, which causes a special appearance of the rash. In this regard, streptoderma is a conditionally separate type of pyoderma.


Differential diagnosis is carried out with mixed staphylococcal-streptococcal impetigo. In another way it is called vulgar. Moreover, the onset of these two forms of pathology is identical. If a streptococcal infection is attached, the affected papules become cloudy.

Rashes due to syphilis

Syphilitic rash has many atypical variations. One of them is syphilitic papules in the area of ​​the corners of the mouth. Unlike seizures, the area of ​​inflammation in them extends far to the mucous membranes of the mouth. A child can become infected with syphilis through household contact with an infected person.

Chicken pox

In the initial stages of the disease, rashes appear first on the face, then spread to other parts of the body. Characteristic red vesicles appear in children on the butt, chest, legs, and arms. Chickenpox can occur in both newborns and adults. Due to such a spread of pimples, this disease can be confused with streptoderma, but after the body temperature rises and the rash spreads to other parts of the body, the diagnosis leaves no doubt.

Is the disease contagious?

Many mothers and fathers are interested in whether this disease is transmitted from child to child. When playing outside, children often come into close contact with each other, play with shared toys, and sneeze and cough. As we have already found out, this type of skin disease is caused by streptococci, and these bacteria are easily spread by household and airborne droplets. Therefore, streptoderma is contagious.

If a child is injured or scratched, the area should be treated with an antiseptic. An adult should also be attentive to damage to the skin, even minor ones.

Treatment methods

Due to the fact that streptoderma is caused by pathogenic microorganisms in the form of streptococcal bacteria, the disease in infants and older children is treated with antibiotics. In addition, emollient ointments, vitamin preparations, local antiseptics and some other agents are used.

Ointments are used among children as prescribed by a doctor. Medicines in this form of release provide effective disposal of pathogenic microflora on the skin, which promotes a speedy recovery.

Names of popular ointments for the treatment of streptoderma:

  • Baneocin;
  • Fucidin;
  • Levomekol;
  • Akriderm GK;
  • Zinc;
  • Acyclovir;
  • Tetracycline ointment and others.

The affected areas on the child’s body with streptoderma should be smeared according to the scheme prescribed by the doctor. Typically, the course of treatment with antibacterial agents lasts 7-10 days, but sometimes treatment has a longer duration, which depends on the severity of the disease in a particular patient. When it comes to treating infants, independent use of any medications is strictly prohibited. Before starting therapy, you should definitely show the child to a specialist.


If the rash is located on the lips, on the eyelid, or in the corners of the mouth, ointments should be used with extreme caution. It is important to ensure that the medicine does not get on the mucous membranes.

Medicines for internal use

Sometimes it can be quite difficult to cure streptoderma using only ointments. This may apply, for example, to situations where the rash is hidden under the hair on the head or the course of the pathology is complicated. In such cases, doctors prescribe therapy with oral antibiotics.

Antibacterial agents for internal use:

  • Sumamed;
  • Amoxiclav;
  • Augmentin;
  • Suprax and others.

Any antibacterial drugs must be used according to a strict regimen with clear dosages. Violation of the instructions can provoke a relapse of the disease and a poor therapeutic effect. In addition, improper use of antibiotics often leads to the development of side effects.

Modern pharmacology offers a wide selection of disinfecting solutions for local treatment of rashes for various skin pathologies. Their use is convenient and, most importantly, safe.


Treatment of streptoderma involves opening the blisters and then treating them with antiseptics and antibacterial ointments. Solutions for local disinfection include:

  • Hydrogen peroxide;
  • Brilliant green (zelenka);
  • Fukortsin;
  • Salicylic alcohol.

These drugs are used exclusively for external use. In this case, it is necessary to capture not only the diseased area, but also several millimeters of healthy skin. How many times should I smear the dermis in the affected areas? Repeated treatment is carried out 2-3 times a day.

When applying antiseptic to the skin, the child may experience pain and burning. After the solution dries, these sensations go away.

At home, treatment of streptoderma in children can be carried out using some folk recipes.


Let's look at a few of them:

  • Garlic juice. This is a simple and safe method to get rid of rashes. Garlic has been proven to be an excellent natural antibiotic. To treat blisters, it is necessary to lubricate the affected areas of the skin with juice 3-4 times throughout the day.
  • Potassium permanganate solution. To prepare a disinfectant, you need to dissolve several granules of pink powder in boiled water and treat the wounds on the child’s body with this product. This medicine will quickly eliminate pathogenic bacteria.
  • Chamomile. The plant has an analgesic, wound-healing and disinfectant effect. Chamomile decoction will help get rid of the sore. To prepare it, you should brew a tablespoon of the plant with a glass of boiling water and let the product brew for 1.5-2 hours. Rinse the wounds with the resulting medicine.
  • Calendula flowers. Brew a tablespoon of the plant with a glass of boiling water and leave the medicine for several hours. Treat the rash areas with the resulting product.
  • Pomegranate juice with honey helps eliminate streptoderma in a child. To do this, the products must be mixed in equal proportions and stored in the refrigerator. The affected areas should be lubricated with this medicine 3-4 times a day.