WHAT IS IMPETIGO?

Impetigo is a common and contagious skin infection.it mainly affects infants and children.

The most affected areas are:

It manifests as red sores on the face, especially around a child’s nose and mouth and on hands and feet.

When these sores burst it forms honey-colored crusts

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR IMPETIGO?

• Diabetes
• Dialysis undergoing persons
• A weak immune system such as from HIV
• Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, scabies, herpes simplex, or chickenpox
• Insects bite or poison ivy.
• Crowded conditions  -impetigo easily spreads in schools and childcare settings.
• Warm, humid weather- this infection is common in summer
• Certain sports    -some games in which skin-to-skin contacts, such as football or wrestling.
• Broken skin   -the bacteria that cause impetigo may enter through a small skin injury, insects bite, or rash
• Age -mainly it occurs in children ages 2 to 5.

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF IMPETIGO?

Generally, the rashes heal without scaring, rare complications include:

• Cellulitis  

• Kidney problems
• Scarring

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF IMPETIGO?

• Sore -The initial symptoms of impetigo are reddish sores on the skin, these sores quickly grow into blisters, ooze, burst, and then form a yellowish or honey crust.
• Sores can be itchy
• Painful sores sometimes

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF IMPETIGO?

The causative agent is staphylococcus bacteria, sometimes group A streptococcus may also cause it.

This condition is highly infectious, these bacteria enter the skin through any break in the skin and then form a colony in the body. This condition is also spread by the touch of sore of a person with impetigo or contaminated items like towels, clothes, sheets, or any other contaminated articles.

DIAGNOSIS OF IMPETIGO

• Generally, impetigo is diagnosed by physical examination
• Lab tests are generally not necessary.

TREATMENT OF IMPETIGO

• Antibiotics drugs
• Ointments 
• Wet compression

MANAGEMENT OF IMPETIGO

• Keep skin always clean, and always wash any cuts, scrapes, insect bites, and other wounds immediately
• Wash an infected person’s clothes, linen, and towels, and don’t share them with anyone else in your family.
• Wear gloves when applying antibiotic ointment and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
• Cut infected nails short to prevent damage from scratching.
• Gently wash the affected areas with mild soap and running water and then cover lightly with gauze.
• Wash hands frequently
• Keep your child home until your doctor says he or she isn’t contagious.

HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF IMPETIGO

• Arsenic album
• Hepar sulph
• Mercurius
• Mezereum
• Sulphur
• Rhus tox

DO'S AND DON'TS

DO'S

• Maintain hygiene.
• Clean the clothes and articles around the infected person and dry the clothes in sun.
• Keep the rashes clean.
• Eat a healthy diet and keep yourself hydrated.
• Clip short your nails.

DON'TS

• Don't scratch the rashes
• Don't smoke
• Don't consume alcohol
• Don't share your personal items with anyone.