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Bullous or crusty impetigo, what’s the difference?
In infants, impetigo is said to be bullous, because it manifests itself by the appearance of transparent and soft bubbles, surrounded by a red halo. These bubbles are usually found on the trunk, perineum or extremities of the baby’s limbs. Sometimes associated with fever, fatigue and diarrhea, this impetigo is more contagious than crusty impetigo, which is the most common form in children.
Crusted impetigo is characterized by the presence of yellowish scabs, which are themselves sometimes preceded by the eruption of bubbles. These lesions are located around natural openings, especially the mouth and nose, but also around the genitals and anus. They can also be present on other parts of the body such as the arms and legs.
These scabs may itch more or less. If taken care of quickly and the child or baby does not scratch too much, impetigo does not leave scars.
What are the causes of impetigo?
Impetigo is not due to a lack of hygiene, but to a skin infection linked to bacteria (streptococci or staphylococci). These will enter under the skin using skin lesions as a gateway: it can be a small sore, a scratch, an eczema, or another lesion related to a parasitosis of the skin such as scabies. Once entered, bacteria colonize these areas and impetigo gradually appears.
How to treat and cure impetigo at home?
The treatment is simple: your doctor will prescribe antibiotic creams (mupirocin or fucidic acid) to apply to the affected areas after the skin has been disinfected with an antiseptic lotion. The scabs should disappear after 4 to 5 days of treatment. If the lesions are large and distributed over the whole body, oral antibiotic treatment (macrolide or amoxicillin) is preferred.
Impetigo, very contagious
Impetigo is very contagious and is spread through direct contact between children or through adults caring for children. It often happens that impetigo epidemics occur in nurseries or maternity wards. It is therefore recommended to keep the baby at home for the duration of the treatment.
In addition, the infant with impetigo is also contagious to himself! This type of pathology is called “self-inoculable”. This means that the infant, by scratching his scabs, can go and contaminate other areas of his body.
Namely
To limit this phenomenon, just be sure to cut his nails. It is also recommended that parents wash their hands regularly and change the baby’s laundry every day.
Impetigo: what are the worrying signs?
In the vast majority of cases, impetigo is a mild syndrome and goes away within a few days of starting treatment. However, do not hesitate to contact your doctor again if the lesions persist.
In the event that the infant simultaneously suffers from a dermatosis such as eczema, the lesions of the skin may be a source of reinfection and the impetigo may take longer to disappear.
Can you have impetigo several times?
Impetigo is an infectious disease, but it does not provide immunity like chickenpox, for example. It is therefore quite possible that a child suffers from impetigo several times in his life.