Impetigo

Definition

Impetigo is a highly contagious disease of the surface of the skin that occurs in nonbullous and bullous forms. It is mainly caused by Staphylococci and Streptococci bacteria and it is characterized by crusting skin lesions. It firstly appears as a sore, often on the upper lip. It is usually characterized by small pus-filled blisters that form honey-yellow crusts. This condition is generally more common in children than in adults.

Impetigo is a honey colored crust that covers a well-demarcated red lesion. The redness develops into small blisters that gradually crust and erode. Impetigo is treated with the topical antibiotic mupirocin .

Causes of Impetigo

Some Important Causes of Impetigo are as:-

• Poor hygiene, anemia , and malnutrition are also common causes of Impetigo.
• In adults, impetigo is usually the result of injury to the skin.
• Warm, humid environment, increases the chance to get affected by impetigo.
• The main root cause of Impetigo is a bacterial infection with Staphylococci and Streptococci bacterium. Both types of bacteria - Staphylococci or Streptococci can live harmlessly on your skin until they enter through a cut or other wound and cause an infection.
• Impetigo is a highly contagious infection - therefore, can be spread by direct contact with already infected person. It may also be spread by touching the clothing, towels, sheets, or other items of a person with impetigo.
• Impetigo can complicate chicken pox, eczema, or other skin conditions marked by open lesions.
• Lice infections, which cause scratching are also the main factor of impetigo.
• In Children, impetigo mainly comes from living in unhealthy environments i.e. places which are not at all clean with very poor sanitation.

Symptoms of Impetigo

The Possible Symptoms of Impetigo includes:-

• Pimples may also be accompanied with impetigo.
• The symptoms of impetigo include vesicle, filled with yellow fluid. The sores spread easily to other areas of the patient's body through contact.
• Impetigo develops most frequently on the legs, but may also be found on the arms, face and trunk. There is usually no fever.
• The first sign of impetigo is a patch of red, itchy skin. Pustules develop on this area, soon forming crusty, yellow-brown sores that can spread to cover entire areas of the face, arms, and other body parts.
• Skin lesions are also one of the main symptoms of impetigo and characterized by groups of tiny blisters.
• Itching blisters are another common symptom.
• Over the affected area, patches of red sores may develop.
• People whose impetigo is caused by Group A Streptococcus may in rare cases develop glomerulonephritis, scarlet fever, or life-threatening invasive streptococcal disease.
• Lymph nodes being swollen is another common indicator of Impetigo.
• Skin rash with discharge pus may be seen on the affected area.
• Impetigo is more common in adults suffering with diabetes.

Treatments for Impetigo

• Moisturizers on the Skin: Moisturizers may be needed to treat any dry skin and also helps to relieve the tenderness and pain that is usually caused by impetigo.
• Topical steroids may be used to reduce the inflammation caused by impetigo. A mild steroid or moderate steroid may be used.
• The antibiotic such as mupirocin ointment is good for curing impetigo fast. Topical antibiotics avoid side effects such as diarrhea that can result from oral medications.
• Dicloxacillin should be given as an initial treatment for impetigo because erythromycin-resistant strains of S aureus are prevalent at that time.
• The treatment of impetigo with hygienic measures is found very effective. Keeping your child's skin clean and bacteria-free can help mild infections heal on their own.
• Mupirocin is highly effective against staphylococci and streptococcus pyogenes.
• The oral antibiotic for ecthyma and severe cases of impetigo contagiosa may be prescribed by the doctor in a some chronic cases of impetigo.