Impetigo is a very common skin infection that is highly contagious. It is most common in young children, but adults can also get this infection. Impetigo most often appears as red sores on the face and hands, and feet. The sores will eventually burst and develop honey-coloured crusts on them, which are highly indicative of the condition.
The main symptoms of Impetigo are:
This condition is caused by various staphylococci organisms. These bacteria are in the soil or can be communicated to other people readily by those who have Impetigo. Touching items or surfaces that someone with Impetigo has touched and then eating, drinking, or touching your face can lead to you getting Impetigo as well. This kind of infection spreads rapidly among children due to poor hand-washing practices and sharing of toys and other items.
The risk factors for this condition are:
Diagnosis of this condition is usually made entirely based on the appearance of the sores on the skin. The age of the patient can also be a big factor that guides a correct diagnosis of Impetigo. Skin scrapings and samples of the fluid that is taken from the patient’s sores can also be used to confirm the presence of the bacteria that cause Impetigo.
Prevention of Impetigo requires that patients get immediate treatment for the condition as soon as symptoms arise. Children or adults who have Impetigo should refrain from going to work or to school until their symptoms have resolved and the sores have begun to heal. Being sure to wash your hands regularly and avoid sharing items in the workplace can also help to prevent the spread of this condition from one person to another.
If you are living with someone who has Impetigo, you need to be sure that you clean and disinfect surfaces regularly and wash bedding and clothing frequently until the person’s symptoms have gone away. Make sure that everyone in the home practises good handwashing techniques and that the patient with Impetigo tries to avoid having lots of contact with others in the home if possible.
Treatment of Impetigo is usually quite simple. Usually, patients will be given oral antibiotics to take for a week to ten days. Antibiotic creams are usually also applied to the sores on the body to help them to heal. Those caring for these patients need to wear gloves while they are providing care for the patient with Impetigo to limit the spread of the infection throughout the household.