- Main symptoms
- 1. Common / non-bullous impetigo
- 2. Bullous impetigo
- 3. Ectima
- How to confirm the diagnosis
- What causes impetigo
- How the transmission happens
- How the treatment is done
Impetigo is an extremely contagious skin infection, which is caused by bacteria and leads to the appearance of small wounds containing pus and a hard shell, which can be golden or honey-colored.
The most common type of impetigo is non-bullous, and in this case, the sores usually appear on the nose and around the lips, however, other types of impetigo manifest themselves in the arms or legs and feet. Impetigo is also popularly called an impinge.
Main symptoms
There are different types of impetigo that have slightly different characteristics and symptoms:
1. Common / non-bullous impetigo
- Wounds similar to mosquito bites; Small lesions on the skin with pus; Wounds that evolve to golden-colored or honey-colored crusts.
This is the most common type of the disease and it usually takes about 1 week for all symptoms to appear, especially in the areas around the nose and mouth.
2. Bullous impetigo
- Small red bites-like wounds; Lesions that quickly develop into blisters with yellowish liquid; Itching and redness of the skin around the blisters; Emergence of yellow crusts; Fever above 38ยบ C, general malaise and poor appetite.
Bullous impetigo is the second most common type and appears especially on the arms, legs, chest and belly, being rare on the face.
3. Ectima
- Open wounds with pus; Emergence of large, yellowish scabs; Redness around the scabs.
This is the most serious type of impetigo because it affects the deeper layers of the skin, especially on the legs and feet. This way, the treatment takes longer and can leave small scars on the skin.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of impetigo is usually made by a dermatologist or a pediatrician, in the case of the child, only through the evaluation of the lesions and the clinical history.
However, in some cases, other tests may also be necessary to identify the type of bacteria, but this is usually only necessary in the case of an infection that arises very often or when the treatment is not having the expected effect.
What causes impetigo
Impetigo is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus that affect the most superficial layers of the skin, and although anyone can develop the disease, it is more common in situations of weakened immune systems. That is why it is more frequent in children, the elderly and people with autoimmune diseases.
These bacteria normally inhabit the skin, but an insect bite, cut or scratch can cause them to reach the innermost layers causing the infection.
How the transmission happens
This skin disease is very contagious because bacteria are easily transmitted through contact with the pus released by the lesions. Thus, it is advised that the child, or the adult, stay at home for up to 2 days after starting treatment, to avoid spreading it to others.
In addition, during treatment it is very important to take some precautions such as:
- Do not share sheets, towels or other objects that are in contact with the affected area; Keep wounds covered with clean gauze or clothing; Avoid touching or poking wounds, injuries or scabs; Wash your hands frequently, especially before contacting other people;
In addition, in the case of babies and children it is very important to let them play only with washable toys, as they must be washed 48 hours after the start of treatment to prevent the infection from recurring due to bacteria that are on the surface of the toys.
How the treatment is done
The treatment for this disease should be guided by a pediatrician, in the case of babies and children, or by a dermatologist, in the case of adults, but it is usually done with the application of antibiotic ointments on the lesion.
In some cases, it may be necessary to soften the scabs with warm water before applying the ointment to improve the effects of the treatment. Find out which remedies are most used and what to do to ensure proper treatment of impetigo.
In cases where the treatment has no effect, the doctor may also order laboratory tests to identify the type of bacteria that is causing the disease and adapt the antibiotic used.
