Impetigo
What is it?
Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection that primarily affects young children. It’s caused by two types of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.Â
Symptoms
The infection typically starts with small red spots, which quickly turn into blisters that ooze and form yellow-brown crusts. These crusts may be itchy and painful, and may spread to other areas of the body. Impetigo can be spread through direct contact with someone infected, or by touching contaminated objects such as towels or clothing.
Treatment
Treatment usually involves topical or oral antibiotics, and keeping the affected areas clean and covered until the infection is cleared.Â
Complications
Sepsis and Glomerulonephritis
Contact Isolation
- Contagious
- Use separate towels
- Wash clothes with hot water. Separate from the rest of the family
- Cover lesions with sterile dressing to prevent spread of infection
