Impetigo
Impetigo Causes
Impetigo is commonly caused by the same streptococcus strain that causes strep throat, Streptococcus pyogenes. It can also be caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
Impetigo Definition
Impetigo is a superficial bacterial skin infection most common among children age 2?6 years. Mostly people who play close contact sports such as rugby, American football and wrestling are also susceptible, regardless of age. The name is from the Latin impetere ("assail"). It is also called as school sores.
Impetigo Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made based on the usual appearance of the skin lesion.
Impetigo Symptoms and Signs
Impetigo is a skin condition which is often associated with poor living conditions. Most culprits include overcrowding and malnutrition. Impetigo is most likely to manifest in warm weather and usually strikes children, although in the absence of good hygiene, it may spread to the adults in the family as well. Impetigo often begins as a blister on the lip, which may be mistaken for a cold sore. The blister breaks fairly faster and a crust forms over the raw sore. The sore can ooze clear or yellowish liquid.
Impetigo Treatment
In generations, the disease was treated with an application of gentian violet, an anti-fungal agent. Nowadays, topical or oral antibiotics are usually prescribed. Treatment may involve washing with soap and water and allowing the impetigo dry in the air.
Drugs used for treatment of Impetigo
Bactroban