Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection primarily affecting children, although it can occur in people of all ages.
Impetigo is typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria (less commonly).
Warning
Children should be kept off off school during the infection due to the transmissibility.
Causes/Factors
The primary causes and risk factors for Impetigo include:
- Bacterial Infection: Entry of bacteria through cuts, scratches, or insect bites.
- Close Contact: Highly contagious and can spread through direct contact.
- Warm and Humid Environments: Conditions that favour bacterial growth.
- Poor Hygiene: Lack of proper skin hygiene.
Non-bullous impetigo
- Typically occurs around the nose or mouth - exudate forms the golden crust
- Do not cause systemic symptoms
- Antiseptic cream (hydrogen peroxide 1% cream) 1st line treatment
- Oral flucloxacillin to treat more severe/wide spread infection
- Advise patient not to touch or scratch lesionss
Bullous impetigo
ALWAYS CAUSED BY STAPH. AUREUS
- S. aureus produces toxins that causes fluid filled vesicles to form. These grown in size and then burst to form a golden crust
- They heal without scarring but can be painful and itchy
- More common in neonates and children under 2
- They may be feverish and generally unwell. In severe infections when the lesions are widespread, it is called staphylococcus scalded skin syndrome.
Complications
- Cellulitis if the infection gets deeper in the skin
- Sepsis
- Scarring
- Post streptococcal Glomerulonephritis
- Staphylococcus scalded skin syndrome
- Scarlet fever