What is impetigo?
Impetigo is a skin infection that is very contagious. It mainly affects children. It mostly manifests as red sores on face which appears around the kid’s nose and mouth. When the sores burst, they get a honey-colored crust on them.
It takes two to three weeks to clear but use of antibiotics can help reduce the duration and the spread to others. The child will have to be kept away from the school or the daycare at least for a couple of days after the start of the antibiotics.
A bacteria that infects the outer layers of the skin causes impetigo.
The means of infection can be in two different ways
• A break in the skin caused by a wound, insect bite or other injury
• Through an already damaged skin due to another skin condition.
The classic symptoms are:
• Red sores that burst and ooze before forming a honey-colored crust over it. They are seen around the nose and mouth and may spread to the other body parts.
• Bullous impetigo causes larger blisters and are seen in the trunk or the diaper covered area on young children and infants.
• Ecthyma is a more serious form of impetigo that penetrates into the skin and forms painful pus or fluid filled sores. These may turn into deep ulcers.
• Impetigo is mainly treated with antibiotics in the form of creams or ointments. You may have to soak the area first to remove the scabs.
• Oral antibiotics may also be prescribed if you have only a few sores.
• The skin needs to be kept clean an healthy. Any wounds or insect bites need to be washed immediately.
• If any one in the family already suffers from impetigo, the areas need to be washed with mild soap and covered with gauze.
• The clothes belonging to the infected person must be washed separately.
• Use gloves when applying the ointment and wash your hands later.
• The child’s nails must be kept short to prevent scratching.
What you can expect when you visit our clinics
1. Stop by our front desk to visit a certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. No appointment is required.
2. Your medical practitioner will examine your medical background, go over your medical issues, perform an examination and supply you with an individualized plan for treatment. This might consist of non-prescription items or a medical prescription.
3. Towards the end of your visit to our clinic, your medical attendant will give you an overview, an invoice and some instructional material may be given.
4. The overview of your clinic visit can be forwarded to your primary health care provider with your authorization.