The New England Journal of Medicine: Contributions to Dermatology: Eczema, Impetigo, Scabies, Ecthyma, Rupia, Lupus Based on: Contributions to Dermatology: Eczema, Impetigo, Scabies, Ecthyma, Rupia, Lupus. By Silas Durkee, M.D., Consulting Physician of the Boston City Hospital, &c ... Ecthyma is a skin infection characterised by crusted sores beneath which ulcers form.

Understanding the Context

It is a deep form of impetigo, as the same bacteria causing the infection are involved. Ecthyma is a form of impetigo characterized by small, purulent, shallow, punched-out ulcers with thick, brown-black crusts and surrounding erythema. Ecthyma is a bacterial skin infection that goes deeper than impetigo. Learn what causes it, how it looks, and how it’s treated.

Key Insights

Impetigo is a superficial skin infection that leads to the formation of scabby, yellow-crusted sores and, sometimes, small blisters filled with yellow fluid. It is caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, or both. Ecthyma is a form of impetigo that causes sores deeper in the skin. Ecthyma is an ulcerative pyoderma of the skin caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Because ecthyma extends into the dermis, it is often referred to as a deeper form of impetigo.

Final Thoughts

A more serious form of impetigo, called ecthyma, penetrates deeper into the skin — causing painful fluid- or pus-filled sores that turn into deep ulcers. Ecthyma is a skin infection. It is similar to impetigo, but occurs deep inside the skin. For this reason, ecthyma is often called deep impetigo.