Dr Chris Steele explains some basic facts about the skin condition Impetigo.

All about Impetigo

What is Impetigo?
Impetigo is a highly infectious skin condition, which is more common in children than adults. It usually affects the skin around the face (especially the mouth), hands and knees.

What causes it?
It is usually caused by a specific type of bacteria known as Staphylococcus or Streptococcus, which enters the skin through a crack or broken area caused by a cut or cold sore. Skin disorders such as eczema or psoriasis may also predispose a patient to contracting impetigo. As children often have dirty hands, rubbing the face or putting the fingers in the mouth will obviously be a common source of infection.

Impetigo was once a very common condition amongst schoolchildren, but nowadays with vastly improved standards of personal hygeine, the condition has become less of a problem. However, one still sees small epidemics occurring in schools, which seem to be more common in warm weather.

What are the symptoms of impetigo?
Initially small red spots appear, these then progress into a small fluid containing blisters, which soon burst producing small weeping, moist areas of skin. These soon dry up leaving yellow to brown coloured crusts or `scabs' on the skin. These crusts soon spread and several other spots may develop close to the earlier infection.

As this condition is a bacterial infection there is sometimes swelling of the lymph `glands' in the affected area, this occurs especially in the region of the face and neck and then may be associated with a raised temperature or fever.

In rare circumstances, there have been cases where impetigo has produced a serious condition called blood poisoning or septicaemia. Another rare complication is a type of inflammation of the kidney known as `glomerulonephritis'.

Treatment.
Impetigo can spread rapidly not only in the sufferer, but also between contacts. Hence, the earlier treatment is started the better! You must see your doctor, who will probably prescribe an antibiotic in the form of a cream or as a tablet to kill off the infecting bacteria. Loose crusts of skin should be washed off with soap and water and the affected skin just dabbed dry. After about five days of treatment the skin should be showing signs of returning completely back to normal.

In the 'olden days' a cheap yet very effective treatment was to paint the impetigo sores with a purple liquid called gentian violet. Unfortunately the purple discolouration of the skin produced by this treatment was a great source of embarrassement to the unfortunate victim!!

Because impetigo is contagious, sufferers should ensure that they do not allow anyone else to share their face clothes, towels or even pillow cases. After use these items should ideally be boiled to kill off any residual bacteria. An infected child should stay away from school until the infection is totally cured.

Remember, anyone can catch impetigo, it is not a sign of dirtiness or uncleaniliness!


IMPORTANT NOTICE : This content is from the Dr Chris Steele personal archive and is provided for convenience only. Information contained here may no longer agree with the most up to date medical advice. Please check with a medical professional before taking any action.

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