Bullous impetigo

Last Updated: 2023-07-07

Author(s): Anzengruber F., Navarini A.

ICD11: 1B72.0

Large blistered impetigo contagiosa, bullous impetigo.

Impetigo contagiosa with large flaccid blisters.

  • In large-blistered impetigo, fewer but clearly larger, intact, flaccid blisters appear on a reddened base with water-clear contents. These can also form on unaffected skin. After the blisters have opened, erosions with collerette-like scaling appear. In this variant, the trunk is more frequently affected. The crusting typical of small blister impetigo is absent. In the course of the disease, healing without scarring occurs.
  • Fever, reduced general condition and nausea can rarely occur.
  • When the local findings are pronounced, one speaks of a pemphigoid staphylogenes of the newborn, a special form of large-bubble impetigo. Although the term is hardly used today, this variant is also known as pemphigus contagiosus, pemphigus acutus neonatorum, peeling blisters and exanthema bullosa neonatorum.

  • Clinical presentation
  • Bacterial smear
  • ASL titer, ASO titer
  • Urinanalysis (to rule out glomerulonephritis), follow-up after 2-4 weeks recommended
  • In adults, HIV infection should be excluded

Similar to small vesicular impetigo, but here there is intraepidermal blistering.

Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome.

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