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WHAT  IS  IMPETIGO?

 

Impetigo is a common and extremely contagious skin infection caused by staphylococcus (staph) or streptococcus (strep) bacteria. The condition can affect anyone, although it is more common in children as they are in closer contact with one another.

 

How is it contracted?

 

Usually, although not always, staph or strep bacteria have to pass through the barrier of the skin to cause impetigo.

 

• Bacteria are always present on the skin, although their numbers are reduced by regular washing and good hygiene. Sometimes, impetigo can develop on what seems to be perfectly normal, healthy skin. In this case, the first sign is a small area of inflammation, resembling eczema. 
• More often, impetigo develops when staph or strep bacteria gets into a minor break in the skin - a small cut or an insect bite, for example. Children with eczema or other skin conditions are particularly at risk, since they have many skin breaks. 
• When the blisters that impetigo causes are scratched, bacteria-rich fluid seeps out of them. These can contaminate other breaks in the skin or be transferred to other people. This can happen either by physical contact or by contact with shared items, such as towels and face-cloths. 

Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection, normally affecting the face. The condition is usually contracted when bacteria enter a break in the skin. If left untreated, impetigo can spread to other parts of the body.

 

Symptoms

 

Impetigo is unsightly and irritating, but it is rarely a serious condition. The symptoms include:

 

A small red, inflamed lesion on the skin, usually on the face, upper chest and arms, but sometimes on the legs or buttocks. 

A cluster of tiny blisters that are filled with a yellowish, honey­ colored fluid. 

The blisters itch and eventually ooze - especially when scratched ­and a thick crust forms over them. 

If the blister bursts, a raw, reddish area is left behind. 

A rash may form in the area of the blisters as the condition is spread by scratching. Other areas may become infected. 

Lymph glands may be enlarged in the area of the infection. 

On rare occasions when strep bacteria are involved, impetigo may lead to a potentially serious kidney infection called post ­streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Very rarely, impetigo may cause ulceration of the skin and scarring. 

PREVENTING IMPETIGO

Impetigo can be treated by your doctor. The level of treatment depends on the severity of the outbreak.

 

• In mild outbreaks of impetigo, anti-bacterial ointment is applied to the blisters and scabs. The affected area should be washed regularly and left uncovered to dry out. Mild antiseptic, such as povidone-iodine, may be applied to the crusts under which the bacteria live, to soften them. The ointment is usually applied to the infected skin three times a day for seven days, or for a maximum of 10 days. If there is no improvement to the condition after using the ointment for two days, the doctor is likely to recommend giving your child antibiotics by mouth. 
• In more severe outbreaks, a course of antibiotics by mouth may be recommended from the outset. 
• On rare occasions, impetigo may prove resistant to antibiotics. In this situation, swabs will be taken to examine the infection more closely. It is possible that repeat courses of antibiotics may be given. 
• Strict hygiene measures are essential. These will help to ensure that the condition does not become worse, especially that it doesn't spread to other parts of your child's body. 

Preventing impetigo from spreading

 

If no precautions are taken, impetigo will spread to other areas of your child's body, as well as to other members of the family - including you.

 

• Stress to your child that she must not touch the blisters and scabs.
• Explain that a special effort is needed with hygiene. Make sure that your child has her own face-cloth and towel and that she washes her hands regularly.
• Remember to wash your own hands immediately after touching your child's blisters or scabs.
• Cut your child's fingernails short, and make sure that there is no nose-picking, nail ­biting or finger-sucking.
• Children with eczema are particularly susceptible to impetigo, and if they contract the condition the presence of other breaks in the skin make it much more likely to spread. In such cases, a strict hygiene regime is necessary and a course of antibiotic tablets is likely to be prescribed.
• If your child has repeated bouts of impetigo, as may be the case with children who have eczema, your  doctor may advise that she washes with a gel that contains benzoyl peroxide. 

Keeping your child off school

 

Even if your child's impetigo is being treated, it is important to prevent her from passing on the condition to other children.

 

• Keep a pre-school child away from a nursery or playgroup until the scabs or blisters have disappeared. Impetigo is spread by contamination with the fluid within the blisters and the tissue of the scabs. Unfortunately, young children cannot be trusted not to scratch itchy scabs and blisters, which is why the incubation period is longer. 
• Older children should also be kept from school at the start of an attack of impetigo. As long as they do not touch or scratch any blisters or scabs, they may return to school after treatment has been under way for a week. They must be scrupulous about personal hygiene and avoid sharing items such as clothes, towels, flannels and brushes.

As impetigo is highly contagious and can be passed on by physical contact, it is advisable that your child doesn't go to school until the infection has cleared. She should also be kept away from young babies.

 

For  More  Information:  Please  consult  your  physician  on  your  next  visit.