Impetigo, a highly contagious and common skin infection, typically affects infants and children. If an adult comes in contact with an infected child, they can develop Impetigo. Impetigo is caused by two bacterial infections called staphylococcus aureus or streptococcus pyogenes. The bacterial infection occurs on the outer layers of your skin, called the epidermis. It typically appears as sores on different areas of the face such as the nose and mouth. The skin condition also appears on the hands and feet. The grow into blisters, ooze and eventually burst. They also develop crusts that are honey-colored. This honey-colored crust may spread to a larger area of the skin than the original blistered site. It may seem like another childhood disease, chicken pox. However, it is not. Impetigo is often called the “school disease” because it spreads so easily from child to child.
The infection begins any area where there is broken skin. For instance, eczema, insect bites or minor cuts can become infected with Impetigo. This is called secondary impetigo. It can also develop on healthy skin. When the medical condition occurs on healthy skin, it is called primary impetigo.
Impetigo is transferred from person to person in two ways. The first way you may contract the skin condition is by coming in contact with an infected person. The infection is also spread by touching anything such as bed sheets, towels or clothing an infected person touched.
Treatment for impetigo is antibiotics. This helps to avoid spreading it to other people. Also, it helps manage the symptoms and signs of the condition. The topical antibiotics will clear up the skin condition within days. It will also shorten the time you are able to transmit impetigo to other people. When trying to determine if you or your child has impetigo, know the following signs and symptoms of the medical condition:
1. Red rashes:
A rash is an area of your skin that swollen or irritated. The rash may have other symptoms too like a reddish color or it may itch. The rash can lead to blisters or patches on your skin. The red rash can also include small raised small bumps. A red rash is not a medical condition, but can be a sign of many different medical conditions. These medical conditions include impetigo, poison ivy, wearing certain clothing or touching a chemical irritant. When you have red rashes because of impetigo, they often appear on your lips and nose. It is your first sign of the condition.
2. Blisters:
A blister is a small round or oval bubble of fluid under your skin. The watery, clear liquid inside your blister is called serum. The serum leaks from neighboring tissues because of reaction to an injury to your skin. When you have impetigo, your sores quickly become blisters. The blister begins oozing fluid before they eventually burst. This allows the blisters to expand to other areas of your skin. A blister typically has other symptoms such as pain or itching. This symptom is not a medical condition, but a sign of another medical condition you may have.
3. Itching:
Itching, or pruritus, is an irritation or tingling on your skin that makes you want to scratch the specific area. Itching is not a medical condition. While not always a sign of something worse, itching can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. The area may or may not develop bumps or raised sections of skin. The common causes of the symptom include, but are not limited to: dry skin, allergic reactions, rash, pregnancy and insect bites. This symptom typically is not serious on its own. It can be alleviated by using certain lotions, cold compresses or a lukewarm bath. If the itching continues for extended periods of time you should check with your doctor or healthcare professional.
4. Ulcers:
An skin ulcer is a sore which is opened and has inflamed tissue. It is the result of numerous medical problems such as poor circulation, trauma, or exposure to extreme weather. It can also occur because of impetigo. An ulcer has an open wound in the skin. The wound resembles a crater. It usually heals within two weeks or more. It may accompany other symptoms like redness of your skin, skin bleeding and exposed bone. Ulcers on the skin usually have four stages: sign of the ulcer, the thickening of the skin, development of the crater and destruction of the tissue.
5. Bacterial infection:
A Bacterium is a single-cell, microscopic organism that can live almost anywhere. Bacterial infections are harmful strains of bacteria that are either inside or on your body. A Bacterial infection can be caused by organisms like streptococcus. Some skin infections caused by the organisms include impetigo, folliculitis and cellulitis. Bacterial infections are generally treated with topical or oral antibiotics. The exact treatment depends on the strain of bacteria causing the infection. Bacterial infections can be hard to deal with and often require professional medical diagnosis.
6. Ecthyma:
Ecthyma is a severe form of impetigo. It is a bacterial infection that causes lesions to appear on your skin. The infection starts as a small red ulcer. It becomes a blister, hardens, bursts and forms a crust of the infected area. It may go away after several months. If left untreated, it can cause permanent scarring to your skin. It can also spread across your skin. The bacteria will seep into broken skin and cause that area to become infected. Ecthyma is usually treated with topical antibiotics if it occurs in a small area. It may require a different oral antibiotic or penicillin for treatment.
7. Sores:
A skin lesion is an area of your skin that has an abnormal appearance or growth compared to your skin around it. Two categories of the skin condition exist: secondary and primary. Primary skin lesions develop either at birth or over your lifetime. Secondary lesions develop on your skin because of a specific medical condition. A secondary lesion range from scaly patches, scarring or macules. The secondary form of this skin condition occurs because of some kind of infection on or inside your skin. It can affect one certain area or your entire body. The lesions may become inflamed too. Medication such as topical antibiotic will treat the inflammation and protect the area from worsening. It may stop the other signs of the skin condition such as itching, burning and pain.
