(6)
Papule--small, elevated lesion.
(7)
Pruritis--intense itching.
(8)
Pustule--vesicle containing pus.
(9)
Squamous--scaly.
(10) Vesicle--small blister.
b.
Virus Infections. Virus infections of the skin include the follows:
(1)
Verruca vulparis. Verruca vulparis is the common wart.
(2)
Herpes simplex. This is often called a fever blister, or cold sore.
(3)
Herpes zoster. Herpes zoster is a painful infection commonly known as
shingles.
c.
Bacterial Infections. Bacterial infections of the skin include the following:
(1) Furuncle (also called "boil.") This is an acute, inflammatory lesion
produced by the infection of a hair follicle or a skin gland by staphylococci bacteria. The
lesion begins as a pustule. As the pustule enlarges, the skin becomes reddened, tense,
and shiny. Pain and tenderness develop. The furuncle rapidly matures (comes to a
head), and usually ruptures spontaneously, discharging pus. The treatment is heat, and
incision and drainage. Under certain circumstances, antibiotics, such as penicillin, are
indicated.
(2) Carbuncle. A lesion that resembles the furuncle, since it has the same
cause and early course, but carbuncles are larger, and produce fever and leukocytosis
(elevated white cell count in the blood). When a carbuncle ruptures, pus is discharged
through several openings in the skin. The treatment consists of surgical drainage of the
carbuncle and penicillin.
(3) Cellulitis. An acute, deep-spreading inflammation of the skin and
subcutaneous tissues. Streptococcic infections tend to spread more than
staphylococcic infections, because they produce an enzyme which breaks down the
wall the body tries to form around the infection. The skin becomes red, tender, and
swollen. The patient has fever. The infection may spread through lymph vessels,
producing red streaks on the skin. It may enter the bloodstream and be carried through
the body (septicemia or blood poisoning).
d. Fungal Infections. Fungal infections are among the most common of all
diseases. In order for the fungi to produce skin infection, certain favorable conditions
MD0804
2-13