Pseudomonas aeruginosa is not a common cause of skin infection. In the pediatric population, it may produce swimmer's ear, a green discoloration of nails, and superinfection of athlete's foot (Gram-negative infection of the toe webs). It may also cause infection in patients with severe burns. Systemic disease is usually seen in debilitated, chronically ill patients, especially in association with malignancy and immunosuppression. Consequently, Pseudomonas is not usually considered in the origin of mundane folliculitis and furunculosis.
For the past seven years, however, a slowly increasing number of clinical articles have described a consistent entity—whirlpool or hot tub folliculitis—caused by this organism.1-6 We had the opportunity to deal with a small epidemic of this type of infection and share our experiences to make this better known among pediatricians.
Patients.——Eight previously well teenage girls attended an all-night slumber party and spent one to two hours in a privately owned wooden