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:
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: