Welcome to Gilbride Pharmacy, your trusted source for information and solutions regarding health and well-being. On this page we will explore impetigo, a common and highly contagious skin infection, and provide insights on its symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention.
What is Impetigo?
Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection, typically not severe, which often improves within 7 to 10 days with proper treatment. While it can affect anyone, it is particularly prevalent among young children. Impetigo manifests in two distinct forms: non-bullous impetigo (the most prevalent type) and bullous impetigo.
Symptoms
Non-bullous Impetigo
Non-bullous impetigo typically begins with the emergence of red sores, commonly around the nose and mouth, though they can also affect other facial areas and limbs. These sores swiftly rupture, leaving behind thick, golden crusts, often likened to cornflakes adhered to the skin.
Once the crusts dry, they leave a temporary red mark that usually fades without leaving scars. The duration for the redness to subside varies, ranging from a few days to several weeks.
While these sores are not painful, they may cause itching. It is crucial to refrain from touching or scratching them to prevent the infection from spreading to other body parts or individuals. In severe cases, additional symptoms like high fever and swollen glands may occur but are rare.
Bullous Impetigo
Bullous impetigo begins with the appearance of fluid-filled blisters (bullae), typically on the central part of the body between the waist and neck, or on the arms and legs. These blisters are typically 1-2cm in diameter.
The blisters may expand before bursting after several days, leaving a yellow crust that usually heals without scarring. These blisters may be painful, and the surrounding skin may itch. As with non-bullous impetigo, avoiding contact or scratching the affected areas is crucial. Fever and swollen glands are more common with bullous impetigo.
Causes
Impetigo develops when the skin becomes infected with bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. The infection can occur in two primary ways:
- Through a break in otherwise healthy skin, such as a cut, insect bite or injury (known as primary impetigo).
- Through skin already damaged by an underlying skin condition, such as head lice, scabies or eczema (known as secondary impetigo).
The bacteria can easily spread through close contact with an infected person, through direct physical contact or by sharing towels or flannels. Since symptoms do not surface until four to ten days after exposure, unintentional transmission is common. Children and individuals with diabetes or weakened immune systems, due to conditions like HIV or chemotherapy, are at higher risk of developing impetigo.
Treatment
Impetigo often resolves on its own within two to three weeks. However, treatment is recommended as it can reduce the duration of illness to approximately seven to ten days and minimise the risk of spreading the infection.
Fusidic Acid Cream 15g, containing the active ingredient fusidic acid, is an effective antibacterial treatment for various bacterial skin infections. Fusidic acid works by inhibiting the production of essential proteins necessary for bacterial growth and survival. It is effective against several bacterial species and is used to treat impetigo, characterised by blistering and yellowish-brown crusting of the skin, whitlow (paronychia), and inflamed hair follicles (sycosis). It is also used to treat infected eczema or dermatitis (secondary infections).
Preventing the Spread
While undergoing treatment, it's essential to take precautions to minimise the risk of impetigo spreading to others or to other body areas. Most individuals are no longer contagious after 48 hours of treatment or once their sores have dried and healed. During this period, it's advisable to avoid work, school, nursery or playgroup.
To prevent the infection's spread, follow these guidelines:
- Do not share flannels, sheets or towels with anyone with impetigo; wash them at a high temperature after use.
- Wash the sores with soap and water and loosely cover them with a gauze bandage or clothing.
- Refrain from touching or scratching the sores, and ensure your nails are clean and short.
- Avoid contact with newborn babies, food preparation, contact sports or gym activities until the infection risk has passed.
- Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching infected skin.
- For washable toys, wash them thoroughly, and for non-washable soft toys, wipe them with a cloth wrung out in detergent and warm water, allowing them to dry completely.
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