• Infection of hair follicle
• Often called a pimple
• Called a sty when occurs at eyelid base
• Spread of infection into surrounding tissues can produce furuncles
• Carbuncles occur when multiple furuncles grow together

• Staphylococcus
• Facultatively anaerobic, Gram-positive bacteria
• Cocci arranged in clusters
• Tolerant of salt and desiccation
• Two species found on skin:

Staphylococcus epidermis

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Isolation of Gram-positive bacteria in grapelike clusters from pus
2. Dicloxacillin and Vancomycin (for resistant strains)
3. Hand antisepsis and proper hospital procedures to minimize MRSA

• Skin becomes red, wrinkled, and forms blisters
• Outer epidermis peels off in sheets

• Some Staphylococcus aureus strains
• One or two different exfoliative toxins cause SSSS

• No scarring because dermis unaffected
• Death is rare, but may be due to secondary infections

• Disease occurs primarily in infants
• Transmitted by person-to-person spread of bacteria

1. Diagnosed by characteristic sloughing of skin
2. Antimicrobial drugs
3. Widespread presence of S. aureus makes prevention difficult