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Bacterial skin infections - An observational study
Australian Family Physician, 07/30/09

Spurling G et al. – General practitioners faced with a bacterial skin infection generally prescribe oral antibiotics though not always in accordance with antibiotic guidelines. General practitioners need to be aware of high nonhealing and recurrence rates. Appropriate safety netting and follow up are particularly important for indigenous people. Identification and treatment of family members may reduce recurrence. Further research is required to clarify the relative importance of bacterial factors, overcrowding and household infection in the development of new skin lesions.

Methods

15 General practitioners opportunistically recruited and enrolled patients of any age with purulent skin infections including boils, impetigo, furunculosis and paronychia from March 2005 until October 2007.
Of 93 recruited participants,60 (65%) were followed up at 2 and 6 weeks to assess lesion resolution.

Results

50% (30) had boils, 37% (22) had impetigo, 83% (50) were prescribed antibiotics, and active follow up was suggested for 47% (28)
30% (18) and 15% (9) of participants had nonhealed lesions at 2 and 6 weeks respectively
10% of participants developing new lesions
No associations between nonhealing and any modifiable factors investigated were identified
Indigenous patients were more likely to have nonhealed lesions

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