The skin is home to numerous microbes including species of Corynebacterium, Propionibacterium, Brevibacterium, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus. These resident microbial organisms have both protective and potentially harmful effects and some have been implicated in infectious and inflammatory skin diseases. For example, the commensal organism Propionibacterium acnes and the host reaction to its presence have been shown to contribute to the production of acne. Skin infection usually results from temporary skin invaders either by direct skin invasion or by exotoxins released by the organism itself.

Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes (also known as group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus) account for the vast majority of bacterial skin infections in children. Infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is becoming more common and most often presents as recurrent furunculosis.

In this chapter, the bacterial skin infections most commonly seen in children will be discussed.