Impetigo – causes, symptoms, treatment. How contagious is impetigo?

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Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection that most commonly affects younger children. It causes characteristic ulcers and blisters, most often around the mouth and nose. What is impetigo? How is it treated? Is it contagious? You will find the answers below.

Impetigo – what is it?

Impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects babies and children. It is caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes – they infect the outer layer of the skin – the epidermis.

Impetigo is generally quite an old disease. The name comes from XNUMXth-century England and comes from a Latin word attack meaning “to attack”. “Attack” seems to be an accurate description of this easily spreading infection.

Bacteria thrive in hot and humid conditions. Thus, impetigo tends to be seasonal in nature, peaking in summer and fall in northern climates. In warm and humid climates, it usually occurs all year round.

It is estimated that around 162 million children contract impetigo each year. The highest incidence is in developing countries and poor areas of industrialized countries.

Impetigo – the ways of infection

Impetigo is an infection caused by strains of staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria. These bacteria can enter the body through a cut in the skin caused by a cut, scratch, insect bite, and even a rash.. Then, the wound becomes infected and colonized.

Overall, impetigo is a medical condition that is contagious. Infection can occur through contact with the patient’s wound, using his towels, clothes or bedding.

If impetigo is caused by streptococci, it is contagious for about one to three days. However, when caused by staphylococcal bacteria, it is contagious for about four to 10 days.

Factors that increase the risk of impetigo include:

1. age – impetigo most often occurs in children aged 2 to 5 years,
2. warm and humid climate,
3. groups of people –  impetigo is easily spread in kindergartens and schools,
4. some sports – participation in sports that require skin-to-skin contact, such as football, basketball, wrestling, increases the risk of developing impetigo,
5. skin injuries,
6. weakened immune system,
7. diabetes,
8. skin diseases: psoriasis, dermatitis.

Impetigo – types and symptoms

There are three main types of impetigo. Below you will find out about the symptoms of each of them.

Types of impetigo – contagious impetigo

Contagious impetigo – mainly caused by Staphylococcus aureus. It is the most common form of impetigo, causing approximately 70% of all cases.

The stages of development and symptoms of this type of impetigo are characterized by:

1. it usually starts with reddish, itchy sores around the mouth and nose
2. wounds burst, leaving skin red and irritated around them,
3. a brownish-yellow crust is formed,
4. when the ulcers begin to heal, reddish patches appear that fade to no scarring.

Types of impetigo – bullous impetigo

Bullous impetigo – bullous impetigo is almost always caused by bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Its characteristics are:

1. it usually forms larger blisters or blisters filled with a clear liquid that may become darker and cloudy. Blisters begin on unbroken skin and are not surrounded by reddish areas,
2. the blisters become flaccid and bright and then burst
3. a yellowish wound forms where the blisters burst,
4. blisters don’t usually leave scars as they heal.

Types of impetigo – purulent bullous impetigo

Vesic purulent impetigo – this form of impetigo is the most serious. It penetrates into the deep layers of the skin and is more severe than its other forms.

Its characteristics are:

1. the infection creates painful blisters on the skin of the buttocks, thighs, legs, ankles and feet,
2. blisters turn into purulent ulcers with a thicker “crust”,
3. often the skin around wounds turns red,
4. Ulcers heal slowly and can leave scars when healed.

Impetigo – How Contagious Is It?

Open wounds are highly contagious. Scratching wounds can spread the infection from one place on the skin to another or to another person. The infection can also spread through anything that an infected person touches.

Because impetigo spreads very easily, impetigo is sometimes called school disease. It can spread very quickly from child to child in class or kindergarten where children are in close contact with each other. This, in turn, causes it to spread to children’s families.

Hygiene is key to controlling the spread of lichen. If you struggle with impetigo, wash all the clothes, sheets and towels you use. Disinfect hygiene utensils, toys and all possible items that you have used recently. You can do this with a surface disinfectant spray with 75% alcohol.

Impetigo – methods of treatment

Treatment of impetigo depends on its stage: it can be local (antibiotics in creams and ointments, eg Ospen, disinfectants). If the skin changes are extensive and bothersome, general therapy is applied.

1. Oillan – emollients for the care of babies, children and adults

Topical antibiotics like mupirocin can usually clear impetigo within days and shorten the time it takes for the disease to be contagious. Oral antibiotics will prevent the infection from becoming contagious after 24 to 48 hours.

Impetigo – prevention

People who have impetigo should avoid close contact with other people. Children with impetigo should stay home until they become infected, and even until the wounds have fully healed. Proper hygiene is essential in preventing this condition. Always remember to:

1. frequently wash and disinfect hands,
2. cover any skin wounds and / or insect bites,
3. take care of your nails – always keep them clean and properly cut,
4. do not touch open wounds. This will cause the infection to spread
5. wash everything that has been in contact with impetigo wounds in hot water, wash clothes and bedding,
6. change bedding, towels and clothes that often come into contact with wounds until the wounds are no longer contagious;
7. clean and disinfect surfaces, equipment and toys that may have come into contact with impetigo;
8. do not share any personal belongings with someone who has impetigo.