ABSTRACT
Dermatologists are often called on to consult on severe lifethreatening skin infections in the emergency department, hospital wards, and in their clinical practices. The observational skills of the dermatologic specialist enable him or her to differentiate conditions that are potentially fatal from those that may look horric but are not life threatening. This chapter provides essential information on serious infections, many of which are not usually discussed in depth in most dermatologic texts. These include periorbital (preseptal) and orbital cellulitis, malignant otitis, meningococcemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), Mediterranean spotted fever, anthrax, tularemia, and infections with Vibrio vulnificus, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Chromobacterium violaceum. It is hoped that prompt recognition of these infections by the clinician will reduce morbidity and possibly be lifesaving.
