[Infectious skin diseases in childhood. 1: Bacteria and fungi].

Infections may lead to a multitude of pathological skin alterations, and represent the most common diseases in pediatric dermatology. A prerequisite for successful treatment is an accurate diagnosis based on the medical history, clinical presentation and the culture of pathogens. Of importance among the bacterial skin diseases in pediatrics are impetigo, scarlet fever, borreliosis and cat-scratch fever. Dermatophytoses caused by Trichophyton or species of Microsporum affect either hair-bearing skin (scalp) (tinea capitis) or non-hair-bearing skin of the face, trunk, neck and limbs (tinea corporis). In babies, infections with the yeast fungus, Candida albicans, often develops from diaper rash. In addition to measles, rubella and varicella, viral dermatoses in children include herpes simplex or infections with Papillomavirus. Characteristic cutaneous alterations may also be caused by parasites, such as the scabies (itch) mite, and the head louse.