Which type of skin infection is described as honey-crusted lesions?

Honey-crusted lesions are characteristic of impetigo, a highly contagious bacterial skin infection commonly seen in children. Impetigo is primarily caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus) and Staphylococcus aureus. The lesions typically start as small vesicles or pustules that eventually rupture, leading to the formation of superficial erosions. These lesions are often covered by a thick crust that has a golden, honey-like appearance, which is particularly indicative of this infection.

The honey-colored crust is due to the drying of exudate from the lesion, which has a mixture of serum, bacteria, and immune cells. Impetigo often appears on the face, particularly around the mouth and nose, but can also occur on other parts of the body. Treatment generally involves topical or systemic antibiotics, depending on the extent of the infection.

In contrast, cellulitis presents with a more diffuse area of redness, swelling, and warmth in the skin and subcutaneous tissue without the characteristic crusting seen in impetigo. Folliculitis usually involves inflammation of hair follicles and presents as small red bumps or pustules around hair follicles rather than the honey-crusted lesions indicative of impetigo. Herpes simplex infections typically cause ves