1. A contagious skin infection characterized by pustules that form crusts and leave scars, typically caused by streptococcal or staphylococcal bacteria.
Usage: medical term; also called impetigo in some contexts, though ecthyma is a deeper infection

Examples

• The child developed ecthyma after scratching an insect bite.
• Ecthyma is more common in warm, humid climates and in areas with poor sanitation.
• The doctor diagnosed ecthyma based on the characteristic crusted lesions on the patient's legs.
• Antibiotic treatment is necessary to prevent complications from ecthyma.
• Unlike superficial impetigo, ecthyma penetrates deeper into the skin layers.