5. RECOGNIZING INFECTIONS AS A TRIGGER Because the skin barrier is compromised, individuals with atopic dermatitis can also develop infections on the skin from bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The most common infection is from Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which should be suspected when the skin develops honey-colored crusts, or appears raw and weepy. Infected skin may result in a worsening of the atopic dermatitis and may not respond to standard therapy. Diluted bleach baths can be helpful to reduce infection by S. aureus and thereby help better control atopic dermatitis. Some patients require oral and/or topical antibiotics or antiviral medications for these types of flares. Patients with atopic dermatitis may also be at risk for the spread on the skin of herpes virus; therefore, family and friends with a known or suspected history of herpes virus (cold sores, fever blisters, etc.) should avoid contacting patients with atopic dermatitis when they are having an active outbreak. Contributing SPD Members: Amanda Cyrulnik, MD, Muhammad Amjad Khan, MD, Tess Peters, MD, Sarah Stein, MD, Megha Tollefson, MD, Ki-Young Yoo, MD Committee Reviewers: Brandi Kenner-Bell, MD, Andrew Krakowski, MD Expert Reviewer: Amy Paller, MD The Society for Pediatric Dermatology and Wiley Publishing cannot be held responsible for any errors or for any consequences arising from the use of the information contained in this handout. Handout originally published in Pediatric Dermatology: Vol. 33, No. 1 (2016). © 2016 The Society for Pediatric Dermatology
5. RECOGNIZING INFECTIONS AS A TRIGGER Because the skin barrier is compromised, individuals with atopic dermatitis can also develop infections on the skin from bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The most common infection is from Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which should be suspected when the skin develops honey-colored crusts, or appears raw and weepy. Infected skin may result in a worsening of the atopic dermatitis and may not respond to standard therapy. Diluted bleach baths can be helpful to reduce infection by S. aureus and thereby help better control atopic dermatitis. Some patients require oral and/or topical antibiotics or antiviral medications for these types of flares. Patients with atopic dermatitis may also be at risk for the spread on the skin of herpes virus; therefore, family and friends with a known or suspected history of herpes virus (cold sores, fever blisters, etc.) should avoid contacting patients with atopic dermatitis when they are having an active outbreak. Contributing SPD Members: Amanda Cyrulnik, MD, Muhammad Amjad Khan, MD, Tess Peters, MD, Sarah Stein, MD, Megha Tollefson, MD, Ki-Young Yoo, MD Committee Reviewers: Brandi Kenner-Bell, MD, Andrew Krakowski, MD Expert Reviewer: Amy Paller, MD The Society for Pediatric Dermatology and Wiley Publishing cannot be held responsible for any errors or for any consequences arising from the use of the information contained in this handout. Handout originally published in Pediatric Dermatology: Vol. 33, No. 1 (2016). © 2016 The Society for Pediatric Dermatology