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Impetigo

What is impetigo? 
 
Impetigo, one of the most common skin infections among kids, usually produces blisters or sores on the face, neck, hands, and diaper area.

This contagious superficial skin infection is generally caused by one of two bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes (also called group A streptococcus, which also causes strep throat). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is also becoming an important cause of impetigo.

How can my child get it?
 
A child may be more likely to develop impetigo if the skin has already been irritated by other skin problems, such as eczema, poison ivy, insect bites, and cuts or scrapes due to minor trauma. Good hygiene can help prevent impetigo, which often develops when there is a sore or a rash that has been scratched repeatedly (for example, poison ivy can get infected and turn into impetigo).

What can we do to try and prevent impetigo?
 
Good hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing, can help prevent impetigo. Have kids use soap and water to clean their skin. Pay special attention to areas of the skin that have been injured, such as cuts, scrapes, bug bites, areas of eczema, and rashes such as poison ivy. Keep these areas clean and covered.
 
What are the signs and symptoms that my child may have impetigo?
 
Impetigo may affect skin anywhere on the body but commonly occurs around the nose and mouth, hands, and forearms, and in young children, the diaper area.
 
Types of impetigo
 
There are two types of impetigo:
  • Bullous impetigo (large blisters) 
    • is nearly always caused by S. aureus, which releases toxins that trigger the formation of larger fluid-containing blisters that appear clear, then cloudy.
    • These blisters are more likely to stay longer on the skin without bursting.

  • Non-bullous impetigo (crusted)
    • This type begins as tiny blisters, which eventually burst and leave small wet patches of red skin that may weep fluid. 
    • Gradually, a tan or yellowish-brown crust covers the affected area, making it look like it has been coated with honey or brown sugar. 
    • The non-bullous or crusted form is most common. 
How is impetigo spread?
 
Impetigo may itch and kids can spread the infection by scratching it and then touching other parts of the body. Impetigo is contagious and can spread to anyone who comes into contact with infected skin or other items, such as clothing, towels, and bed linens that have been touched by infected skin.
 
How is impetigo treated?
 
Once antibiotic treatment begins, healing should start within a few days. To keep your child from spreading impetigo to other parts of the body, the doctor or nurse will probably recommend covering infected areas of skin with gauze and tape or a loose plastic bandage. 
 
 What does impetigo look like?
 Picture of impetigo                    Picture of impetigo on the face
 
Information used obtained from Nemours, www.kidshealth.org.  Accessed 10/10/13

Created 10/18/13

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