Acne, Pimples and Skin Disorders |
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Impetigo, Causes, Symptoms and Impetigo Treatment
Impetigo is a
contagious disease of skin and may be caused by infection with S. aureus and/or S. pyogenes.
Impetigo forms round, crusted, oozing spots that grow larger day by day. The hands and face are the favorite locations for impetigo, but it often appears on other parts of the body. The decision of how to treat impetigo depends on the number of lesions, their location (face, eyelid, or mouth), and the need to limit spread of infection to others.
Impetigo that strikes healthy skin is called primary impetigo.
Impetigo starts as a red sore that quickly ruptures, oozes for a few days and then forms a yellowish-brown crust that looks like honey or brown sugar. Impetigo may affect skin anywhere on the body but commonly occurs around the nose and mouth, hands, and forearms.
Impetigo may affect skin anywhere on the body but commonly occurs around the nose and mouth, hands, and forearms. As already discussed it is caused to two type of bacteria Impetigo that is caused by staphylococcus aureus triggers larger fluid-containing blisters that appear clear, then cloudy.
Simple cleanliness and prompt attention to minor wounds will do much to prevent impetigo.
Impetigo causes small bumps or blisters that burst. The skin underneath is moist, tender and red, and it oozes a clear liquid.
Persons with impetigo or symptoms of GABS infections should seek medical care and if necessary begin antibiotic treatment as soon as possible to prevent spread to others.
Impetigo Treatment
The best topical agent is mupirocin (A-I) , although resistance has been described; other agents, such as bacitracin and neomycin, are considerably less effective treatments. Make sure that anyone in your family with impetigo keeps his or her fingernails cut short and that the impetigo sores are covered with gauze and tape. Patients who have numerous lesions or who are not responding to topical agents should receive oral antimicrobials effective against both S. aureus and S. pyogenes.
Many GPs choose to treat impetigo with bactericidal ointment, such as fusidic acid or mupirocin, but in more severe cases oral antibiotics, such as flucloxacillin or erythromycin are necessary.
Topical antibiotics avoid side effects such as diarrhea that can result from oral medications, but as with oral antibiotics, bacteria can become resistant to them over time.
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