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Impetigo Symptoms
Impetigo is a common, highly infectious skin disease caused by staphylococcus bacteria or more rarely by the streptococcus bacteria.
Impetigo may affect skin anywhere on the body but commonly occurs in the area around the nose and mouth. Impetigo is characterized by blisters that may burst, ooze fluid, and develop a honey-colored crust. Impetigo may itch, and it can be spread by scratching. The infection usually spreads along the edges of an affected area, but may also spread to other areas of the body.
Impetigo Symptom
- Skin lesion on the face/ lips, or on the arms or legs, spreading to other areas. Typically this lesion begins as a cluster of tiny blisters which burst, followed by oozing and the formation of a thick honey or brown colored crust that is firmly stuck to the skin.
- Itching blister:
- Filled with yellow or honey-colored fluid
- Oozing and crusting over
- Rash (may begin as a single spot, but if child digs at it, it may spread to other areas).
- In infants, a single or possibly multiple blisters filled with pus, easy to pop and when broken leave a reddish raw-looking base.
- Lymphadenopathy -- local lymph nodes near the infection may be swollen.
Complications in Impetigo
- Pneumonia
- Meningitis or sepsis (infants)
- Ecthyma
- Lymphadenitis
- Erysipelas
- Deep cellulitis
- Bacteremia
- Osteomyelitis
- Septic arthritis
- Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (all age groups)
Diagnosis of impetigo
The diagnosis of impetigo is not difficult if the disease and its features are remembered. In persistent impetigo of the scalp, pediculoses must be suspected and a search should be made for nits and parasities. Persistent, impetigo-like lesions on the body may be due to scabies and dermatitis herpetiformis. The former is characterized by intense nocturnal pruritus, burrows, a typical distribution of lesions and bya history which reveals that several members of the patient's family have been affected. Acarus and ova can also be demonstrated by skin shavings. Dermatitis herpetiformis is distinguished by the presence of chronic, symmetrical polymorphous lesions on the arm, scapula and lower back accompanied by itching. Annular lesions need to be differentiated from tinea. In the latter, there are no bullae or honey-coloured crusts. On the other hand, it shows an inflammatory border of papulo-vesicles, accompanied by itching.
Impetigo Remedy
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