(2) Treatment. To treat cellulitis, give oral antibiotics; for example, penicillin
VK. Elevate the affected area, if possible, and give warm soaks. If cellulitis is severe,
recommend bedrest. Continue treatment until signs of the infection are absent for four
to five days.
e. Miliaria (Heat Rash).
(1) Description/characteristics. Heat rash is an acute inflammation of the
sweat glands. The rash occurs when the free flow of sweat from the pores is
obstructed. Heat rash is most common during hot weather or when an individual is
working in areas where the environmental temperature is unusually high with humidity.
The skin lesions are numerous and profuse, but they are usually confined to the
covered areas of the body because these areas are where the temperature is the
hottest. Three types of lesions are usually present; all are pinhead size. The vesicles
are usually clear with red papules and very small pustules. Itching may be present.
(2) Treatment. Keep the patient cool and advise him to take cool, not hot,
showers. The patient should wear light clothing and use talcum powder or cornstarch
generously over the affected areas. DO NOT cover the area with ointments because
they trap sweat causing the heat rash to become worse.
f. Paronychia.
(1) Description/characteristics. Paronychia is an inflammation of the skin
around the nail. In acute cases, the causative organism is usually microcci,
Pseudomonas, or Proteus and sometimes Candida. The organism enters through a
break in the skin; for example, hangnail or break caused by manicuring. Infections may
follow the nail margin or may extend beneath the nail, and pus may form.
(2) Treatment. Do not apply hot compresses or soak acute cases that are
infected. For bacterial infections, administer an appropriate systemic antibiotic. If the
skin lesion has a pus-filled pocket, open the lesion carefully using the point of a scalpel.
g. Folliculitis.
(1) Description/characteristics. Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair
follicles caused by staphylococcal infection. Sycosis (barbare vulgaris) is a chronic,
hard to manage type also known as pseudofolliculitis or barber's itch. This type of
folliculitis is a deep-seated lesion. It is caused by trauma such as shaving and
autoinoculation. The skin lesions will burn and itch slightly, and pain will occur on the
manipulation of hair. In sycosis, the surrounding skin becomes involved also; therefore,
the lesions look much like a form of impetigo or eczema with redness and crusting.
(2) Treatment. Treatment should include using good personal hygiene and
keeping the affected area clean. Medications that can be applied to the affected area
include iodochlorhydroxquin three percent in cream or ointment form, applied locally
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