An abscess is a localized inflammatory process in which the white blood cells accumulate at the site of infection in the dermis and/or subcutaneous tissue. Lesions evolve over days to 1-2 weeks. They are usually painful and are sometimes associated with fever. Abscesses are typically caused by Staphylococcus species.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) first emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen in the 1960s. In more recent years, community-acquired outbreaks of MRSA (CA-MRSA) have been described increasingly among healthy individuals lacking the traditional risk factors for such infections (intravenous [IV] drug use, incarceration, participation in contact sports, etc). These strains have a propensity for causing abscesses, furunculosis, and folliculitis and have a unique antibiotic susceptibility profile from health care-associated strains of MRSA (HA-MRSA).
Skin bacterial abscess in Child
See also in: Cellulitis DDx,Anogenital,Hair and ScalpAlerts and Notices
Important News & Links
Synopsis
Codes
ICD10CM:
L02.91 – Cutaneous abscess, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
31928004 – Abscess of skin AND/OR subcutaneous tissue
L02.91 – Cutaneous abscess, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
31928004 – Abscess of skin AND/OR subcutaneous tissue
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Kerions on the scalp are fungal-induced hypersensitivity reactions, commonly associated with adenopathy, and difficult to tell from bacterial-induced abscesses.
- In a normal host, a noninflammatory abscess is "classic" for mycobacterial infections.
- Large dermal nodules of pseudolymphoma (rare in childhood) or subcutaneous granuloma annulare (see granuloma annulare) may resemble an abscess.
- Sterile abscesses or soft tissue hypertrophy "insulin tumors" can develop at the site of insulin injections. These nodules are noninflammatory.
- A brisk inflammatory response to molluscum virus can resemble abscesses. Look for other evidence of molluscum contagiosum lesions and the nontoxic appearance of the patient.
- Dermoid cyst
- Epidermal cyst
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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References
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Last Updated:10/08/2017
Patient Information for Skin bacterial abscess in Child
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Skin bacterial abscess in Child
See also in: Cellulitis DDx,Anogenital,Hair and Scalp