Impetigo

Definition

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection. It is also called Streptococcus or Staphylococcus. It is often called school sores because it most often affects children. It is quite contagious. Anyone can catch by impetigo. Although most cases are in children, adults can catch impetigo. It is most common in crowded settings, such as nurseries. It often starts at the site of a minor skin injury such as a graze, an insect bite, or scratched eczema.

Impetigo is contagious from person to person. When someone in a household has impetigo then it is heavy chances that the infection can be passed to other family members. In family members it spread through clothing, towels, and bed linens that have touched the infected person's skin.

Causes

Two types of bacteria cause impetigo

• Staphylococcus aureus (staph), which is most common, and
• Streptococcus pyogenes (strep).

In adults, impetigo is usually the result of injury to the skin, often by another dermatological condition such as dermatitis. Children are commonly infected through a cut, scrape or insect bite, but they can also develop impetigo without having any notable damage to the skin.

Symptoms

Impetigo that is caused by staphylococcus aureus triggers larger fluid-containing blisters that appear clear, then cloudy. These blisters are more likely to stay intact longer on the skin without bursting.

Small red spots typically appear on the skin of the face (especially around the mouth and nose), neck or hands, although any part of the body may be affected. In babies impetigo often occurs in the nappy area.

It first appears as a small scratch or itchy patch of eczema skin inflammation on seemingly healthy skin. A small red, itchy spot quickly develops into a blister containing a yellow substance. Later, the top of the blister becomes crusty and weeps while new blisters develop in the same place or on other parts of the body.

Treatment

Impetigo is treated with antibiotics. It's likely to heal by itself in two to three weeks, but because it's so easily spread and can lead to more serious infections, it's important to get rid of it as quickly as possible.Your doctor is likely to prescribe an oral antibiotic for ecthyma and severe cases of impetigo contagiosa. The specific antibiotic will depend on the severity of the infection and any allergies or conditions your child might have.

While the infection is healing, gently wash the areas of infected skin with clean gauze and antiseptic soap every day. Soak any areas of crusted skin in warm soapy water to help remove the layers of crust (it is not necessary to completely remove all of it).