Cutaneous Manifestations Following Exposures to Marine Life Medication
- Author: Zoltan Trizna, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: William D James, MD more...
Medication Summary
Medical therapy in the dermatologist's office includes topical treatment of hypersensitivity reactions, systemic corticosteroid treatment of severe hypersensitivity reactions, and topical or systemic antibiotics for the prevention or treatment of infections.
Treatment with antibiotics either is initiated empirically because culture and sensitivity results are not yet available or is tailored according to the laboratory results.
Generally, the use of a first-generation cephalosporin is appropriate for empirical therapy. For mycobacterial infections, rifampin, isoniazid, or ethambutol can be used, often in combination therapy. Some authors recommend sulfonamide alone or in combination with trimethoprim; others used minocycline, doxycycline, tetracycline, or cefoxitin. Culturing and sensitivity testing of the organisms in these situations is strongly advisable to initiate specific therapy. Antibiotic therapy of some infections (especially those caused by Mycobacteria) can be lengthy.[16, 17]
Corticosteroids
Class Summary
Used to alleviate local inflammation and accompanying pruritus or pain. Several topical steroids are available. Select the product according to the severity and location of the lesions (see Precautions in triamcinolone table). Triamcinolone is discussed only as a prototype.
Systemic steroids are used for the treatment of severe hypersensitivity reactions. They have anti-inflammatory effects and modify the immunologic responses. Exercise caution because of their metabolic effects. Prednisone is discussed as a prototype.
Triamcinolone topical (Aristocort)
Treats inflammatory dermatosis responsive to steroids. Decreases inflammation by suppressing migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reversing capillary permeability.
Prednisone (Deltasone)
Has anti-inflammatory properties. Must be metabolized to active metabolite prednisolone for effect, and thus, its conversion may be impaired in liver disease.
Antibiotics
Class Summary
For the prevention of infection (eg, patient experienced a penetrating injury, foreign body was inoculated into the wound) or for the treatment of a clinically apparent infection.
Initially, a broad-spectrum antibiotic should be selected. Penicillin G was once the drug of choice; however, it has fallen out of favor because of inactivity against penicillinase-producing bacteria, including many strains of staphylococci. Ideally, antibiotics should be selected after establishing the sensitivity of the microorganism.
For mycobacterial infections, the antibiotic treatment may be lengthy.
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
Third-generation cephalosporin with broad-spectrum gram-negative activity; lower efficacy against gram-positive organisms; higher efficacy against resistant organisms. Arrests bacterial growth by binding to one or more penicillin-binding proteins.
Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
Primarily for the treatment of tuberculosis. Inhibits DNA-dependent bacterial but not mammalian RNA polymerase. May be effective against aquatic M marinum. Additional medications can include co-trimoxazole, alone or combined with minocycline, clarithromycin, doxycycline, and ethambutol. Minocycline, doxycycline, or tetracycline as single agents have been used successfully to treat localized M marinum infections.
Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim DS, Septra DS, Cotrim)
Inhibits bacterial growth by inhibiting synthesis of dihydrofolic acid. Antibacterial activity of TMP-SMZ includes common urinary tract pathogens, except Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Was found to be effective in some nontuberculotic mycobacterial infections.
Minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin)
Treats infections caused by susceptible gram-negative and gram-positive organisms, in addition to infections caused by susceptible Chlamydia, Rickettsia, and Mycoplasma. Was found to be effective in some nontuberculotic mycobacterial infections.
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