IMPETIGO

General Information

DEFINITION--A contagious, common bacterial skin infection that affects the superficial layers of the skin.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Skin of the face, arms and legs.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--All ages, but most common in infants and children.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• A red rash with many small blisters. Some blisters contain pus, and yellow crusts form when they break. The blisters don't hurt, but they may itch.
• Slight fever (sometimes).

CAUSES--Staphylococcal or streptococcal (or combination) bacteria growing in the upper skin layers.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Skin that is sensitive to sun and irritants, such as soap and makeup.
• Poor nutrition.
• Illness that has lowered resistance.
• Warm, moist weather.
• Crowded or unsanitary living conditions.
• Poor hygiene.

HOW TO PREVENT--Pay close attention to family hygiene, particularly hand washing.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory skin culture to identify the germ causing the infection.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Home care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• A baby can be quite ill if the impetigo spreads all over.
• Penetration of the infection to deeper skin layers (ecthyma or cellulitis). This may cause scarring. Treatment is the same as for impetigo.
• Acute glomerulonephritis (a kidney disorder).

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Rarely becomes serious and is curable in 7-10 days with treatment.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Keep fingernails short. Don't scratch impetigo blisters.
• If there is an outbreak in the family, urge all members to use antibacterial soap.
• Use separate towels for each family member, or substitute paper towels temporarily.
• Scrub lesions with gauze and antiseptic soap. Break any pustules. Remove all crusts and expose and cleanse all lesions. If crusts are difficult to remove, soak them in warm soapy water and scrub gently.
• Cover impetigo sores with gauze and tape to keep hands away from them.
• Treat new lesions the same way, even if you are not sure they are impetigo.
• Separate and boil bed linen, if possible, and towels, clothes and other items that have touched sores.
• Men should shave around sores on the face, not over them. Use an aerosol shaving cream and change razor blades each day. Don't use a shaving brush--it may harbor germs.

MEDICATION--

• Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics to avoid complications. Take antibiotics for 10 days even if symptoms disappear.
• You may use antibiotic ointments.

ACTIVITY--No restrictions.

DIET--No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

• You or your child have symptoms of impetigo.
• A fever occurs.
• The sores continue to spread or don't begin to heal in 3 days, despite treatment.