Blistering Distal Dactylitis

Get CMEBlistering Distal DactylitisInfectious diseases seem to be omnipresent in the Ped ED and, thus, have their own dedicated Category of the PedEMMorsels.  Additionally, unusual dermatologic eruptions are also quite prevalently encountered when caring for children (see Approach to Rash).  While individually each category is fun to think about, the excitement more than doubles when they occur concurrently (perhaps I am being facetious). Let’s review Blistering Distal Dactylics! (say that 6 times fast in a row – I dare you)

 

Blistering Distal Dactylitis: What It Is

  • Superficial infection of the distal finger (just like the name would imply)
  • Tense bulla forms over the volar aspect / finger pad [Tessaro, 2016]
    • May extend dorsally to the lateral nail folds.
    • Oval shaped
    • Erythematous base
    • Often a singular lesion
  • Filled with purulent material (yuk).
  • Caused by:
    • Group A Streptococcus pyogenes
      • Most common pathogen
      • Unclear how it causes bullae to develop
      • Don’t forget other interesting Strep Infections:
    • S. aureus
      • Less common, but known to cause bullous disease (see Staph Scalded Skin)
      • Multiple lesions may predict infection with S. aureus.
      • Rarely is MRSA implicated. [Fretzayas, 2011]
    • S. epidermidis 
    • Group B Streptococcus
  • Typically affects kids 2 years to 16 years, but has been shown in children <2 years as well. [Lyon, 2004]

 

Blistering Distal Dactylitis: Ddx

  • Herpetic Whitlow
  • Burns
  • Bullous impetigo
  • Paronychia
  • Insect bites
  • Blistering disorders
  • Dyshidrotic eczema
  • Friction blisters and other mechanical irritants

 

Blistering Distal Dactylitis: Diagnosis It!

  • Clinical diagnosis for the most part.
    • Consider other etiologies like Herpetic Whitlow.
    • May have concurrent infection at another remote site (ex, URI, pharyngitis).
    • Multiple lesions suggests Staph as causative agent.
  • Can confirm with testing:
    • Gram-stain and culture of debris and fluid from blister.
    • May perform rapid strep testing on fluid/debris. [Cohen, 2014; Wollner, 2014]
      • Rapid Strep Test has similar test characteristics/performance as it does when applied to patients with pharyngitis.

 

Blistering Distal Dactylitis: Treat It!

  • Local Wound Care
    • No definitive recommendations for incision and drainage, but often the blister is unroofed to collect specimen. [Tessaro, 2016]
    • Once unroofed, wet-to-dry dressings are appropriate.
  • Systemic Antibiotics
    • Coverage for strep and staph is paramount.
      • Beta-lactamase-resistant antibiotic often selected.
      • Empiric covered for MRSA is not likely beneficial at this point, but keep local resistance patterns in mind.
    • 10 Day course often cited.
    • Topical antibiotics alone are inadequate.

 

References

Arch Pediatr. 2014 Nov;21 Suppl 2:S93-6. PMID: 25456688. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]

Arch Pediatr. 2014 Nov;21 Suppl 2:S84-6. PMID: 25456686. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]

Fretzayas A1, Moustaki M, Tsagris V, Brozou T, Nicolaidou P. MRSA blistering distal dactylitis and review of reported cases. Pediatr Dermatol. 2011 Jul-Aug;28(4):433-5. PMID: 21438916. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]

Scheinfeld NS1. Is blistering distal dactylitis a variant of bullous impetigo? Clin Exp Dermatol. 2007 May;32(3):314-6. PMID: 17362240. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]

Lyon M1, Doehring MC. Blistering distal dactylitis: a case series in children under nine months of age. J Emerg Med. 2004 May;26(4):421-3. PMID: 15093848. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]

Sean M. Fox
Sean M. Fox

I enjoy taking care of patients and I finding it endlessly rewarding to help train others to do the same. I trained at the Combined Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics residency program at University of Maryland, where I had the tremendous fortune of learning from world renowned educators and clinicians. Now I have the unbelievable honor of working with an unbelievably gifted group of practitioners at Carolinas Medical Center. I strive every day to inspire my residents as much as they inspire me.

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