Ulcerative skin lesions – what is the diagnosis?

Authors

  • Ana Foles Department of Pediatrics, Unidade Local de Saúde da Arrábida https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9504-2267
  • Rita Carvalho Department of Pediatrics, Unidade Local de Saúde da Arrábida
  • Biana Moreira Department of Pediatrics, Unidade Local de Saúde da Arrábida
  • Joana Cachão Department of Pediatrics, Unidade Local de Saúde da Arrábida https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4337-9658

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v34.i1.33355

Keywords:

ecthyma, skin infection, traveler, ulcerative lesions

Abstract

Ecthyma is an ulcerative skin infection, usually caused by group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus.

High temperatures and humidity facilitate the development of the disease, which is particularly common among travelers returning from tropical countries. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment, with systemic antibiotics and local intervention, is essential to minimize the risk of complications.

The authors present the case of an 11-year-old boy with exuberant ecthyma lesions conditioning severe pain, which prevented walking.

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References

Galli L, Venturini E, Bassi A, Gattinara GC, Chiappini E, Defilippi C, et al; Italian Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society; Italian Pediatric Dermatology Society. Common Community-acquired Bacterial Skin and Soft-tissue Infections in Children: an Intersociety Consensus on Impetigo, Abscess, and Cellulitis Treatment. Clin Ther. 2019 Mar;41(3):532-551.e17.

Morelli JG. Ecthyma. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, Geme JW, Schor NF, Behrman RE, editors. Nelson textbook of pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders; 2011. p.3554-55.

Orbuch DE, Kim RH, Cohen DE. Ecthyma: A potential mimicker of zoonotic infections in a returning traveler. Int J Infect Dis. 2014;29:178–80.

Stevens DL, Bisno AL, Chambers HF, Dellinger EP, Goldstein EJ, Gorbach SL, et al; Infectious Diseases Society of America. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissue infections: 2014 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Jul 15;59(2):e10-52.

Costa e Castro A, Milheiro Silva T, Correia P. Ecthyma: A Diagnosis to Keep in Mind. Port J Pediatr 2020;51:221-2.

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Published

2025-04-07

How to Cite

1.
Foles A, Carvalho R, Moreira B, Cachão J. Ulcerative skin lesions – what is the diagnosis?. BGMJ [Internet]. 2025 Apr. 7 [cited 2025 Dec. 10];34(1):48-50. Available from: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/bgmj/article/view/33355

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Image Cases

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Ana Foles, Rita Carvalho, Biana Moreira, Joana Cachão

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