Skin Disorders Guide

Diagnostic Hallmarks

Distribution: the groin and exposed areas of the arms and legs
Bacterial culture
Response to therapy
Clinical Presentation
The small I-2-mm pustules of bacterial folliculitis are yellow-white in color and are surrounded by a narrow ring of erythema. Those that are pierced by a hair are acuminate (pointed), those that are not are dome-shaped. Only a few pustules […]

Diagnostic Hallmarks

Distribution: groin and other intertriginous areas
Satellite papules and pustules
KOH preparation and fungal culture

Clinical Presentation
Candidiasis of intertriginous skin occurs as poorly marginated, bright red plaques with satellite papules and pustules scattered around the periphery of the main lesion. In some cases, pustules may also be found studded over the surface of the main plaque. The […]

Diagnostic Hallmarks

Distribution - pattern depends on the insect
Sudden onset
Spontaneous resolution in hours to days

Clinical Presentation
Most insect bites result in the development of nonscaling, dome-shaped, red papules 4 to 8 mm in size. A central punctum, if present, is diagnostic. Itching is usually, but not invariably, present. The papules often appear within minutes, […]

Diagnostic Hallmarks

Distribution: vertical, central third of the face
Pustules and papules against a background of erythema and telangiectasia

Clinical Presentation
Rosacea is characterized by macular erythema, overlaid with telangiectasia, on the nose and cheeks. Often, the glabella and chin are involved such that the eruption forms a vertical band down the central third of the face. In the […]

Diagnostic Hallmarks

Distribution- face and shoulders
Pustules are intermingled with comedones and inflammatory papules

Clinical Presentation
A wide variety of lesions are found in acne, only a portion of which are pustules. Open comedones (blackheads) consist of a pigmented keratinous plug firmly lodged at the orifice of a sebaceous follicle. The reason for the black color is […]

Diagnostic Hallmarks

Distribution- hands, arms, legs, and scalp
Marked tendency for clustering
Lack of response to antibacterial therapy
Potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation and fungal culture

Clinical Presentation
The dermatophyte fungi Microspar’um canis, Trichophyton rubrum, T mentagrophytes, and T. verrucosum may cause a perifollicular abscess that is clinically characterized by the presence of follicular pustules. All of these […]