Impetigo By: Kathryn Martin

Information

Basic Description Impetigo is a superficial disease. This means that it is on the surface of skin. Impetigo is a superficial disease. This means that it is on the surface of skin. Most common in children and can affect skin with no visible breaks in it. Most common in children and can affect skin with no visible breaks in it. It is contageous and can be spread through puss from an infected person touching your skin. It is contageous and can be spread through puss from an infected person touching your skin.

Cause Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria or streptococcus (strep) bacteria Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria or streptococcus (strep) bacteria Methicillin-resistant staph aureus (MRSA) is becoming a common cause. Methicillin-resistant staph aureus (MRSA) is becoming a common cause. The breaking of the barrier of skin. Some of these occurrences are animal bites, human bites, injury or trauma, or insect bites. The breaking of the barrier of skin. Some of these occurrences are animal bites, human bites, injury or trauma, or insect bites.

Lesions from impetigo

Symptoms Puss filled blisters Puss filled blisters Red base when popped Red base when popped Easy to pop blisters Easy to pop blisters Itchy and yellow puss filled with crusty outsides Itchy and yellow puss filled with crusty outsides Skin lesions Skin lesions Rashes that can spread with scratching Rashes that can spread with scratching Swollen lymph nodes Swollen lymph nodes

Treatment Prescription antibiotic cream for mild rashes Prescription antibiotic cream for mild rashes Prescription antibiotics taken by mouth for more severe cases Prescription antibiotics taken by mouth for more severe cases Wash several times a day with antibacterial soap and warm water to remove the crust and puss from the lesions. Wash several times a day with antibacterial soap and warm water to remove the crust and puss from the lesions. Can be diagnosed with a sample of the puss from the lesion. Can be diagnosed with a sample of the puss from the lesion.

This is a man with untreated impetigo on his back, side, and arm.

Not-So-Fun Facts The sores heal slowly and rarely scar The sores heal slowly and rarely scar The heal rate is very high The heal rate is very high Usually reoccurs in children after treatment Usually reoccurs in children after treatment Commonly occurs around the nose and mouth, hands and forearms, and in diaper areas on infants but can occur on any part of the body. Commonly occurs around the nose and mouth, hands and forearms, and in diaper areas on infants but can occur on any part of the body.

Continued Facts Any blister or rash that is scratched a lot can be turned into impetigo. Any blister or rash that is scratched a lot can be turned into impetigo. This includes poison ivy and poison oak along with other common skin diseases. This includes poison ivy and poison oak along with other common skin diseases.

Serious impetigo

Complications Can cause kidney failure but this is rare Can cause kidney failure but this is rare It causes rashes in kids. It causes rashes in kids. Can cause permanent damage to the skin. This is rare also. Can cause permanent damage to the skin. This is rare also. The infection can spread to other parts of the body. This is very common. The infection can spread to other parts of the body. This is very common.

Prevention Use a clean wash cloth and towel every time you clean Use a clean wash cloth and towel every time you clean Do not share personal care items with anyone not even family Do not share personal care items with anyone not even family Use good hygiene and wash the lesions every day and wash your hands after touching a lesion. Use good hygiene and wash the lesions every day and wash your hands after touching a lesion.

Pictures

This is Amy Winehouse with Impetigo. This is Amy Winehouse with Impetigo. It is around her cheeks and bridge of her nose and chin. It is around her cheeks and bridge of her nose and chin.

A child with Impetigo around the nose and mouth. A child with Impetigo around the nose and mouth.

Impetigo in the hairline and scalp of a person. Impetigo in the hairline and scalp of a person.

Impetigo on an infants butt. Impetigo on an infants butt.

Sources

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