Skin Disorders
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- Granuloma Annulare
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- Impetigo
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- Lentigenes
- Leucoderma
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- Lyme Disease Information
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- Symptoms Vulvodynia
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- Vulvodynia
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Impetigo
Impetigo is characterized by lesions on the skin that crust. Among the population this is a fairly common disorder. In most cases impetigo isn’t dangerous and it is treatable.
Causes of Impetigo
Impetigo is one of the most common skin disorders in the world and it presents itself in children most often. A bacterial infection has been found to be the root cause of impetigo. Children can gain it from living in unhealthy environments that are unclean and anything but sanitary.
Impetigo may present in adults after an upper respiratory infection in adults when the immune system has been weakened. It can also occur after another skin disorder when the defenses of the skin have been weakened.
A red irritated areas that becomes a blister is the start of impetigo. The blister forms a crust on the skin once it is opened. The oozing from the blisters makes the disorder contagious.
Symptoms of Impetigo
Impetigo has several associated symptoms, but don’t always present in every case. Some symptoms are also age specific.
- The first sign is often skin lesions and can be characterized by a group of tiny blisters. The blisters will eventually burst and a yellow liquid will seep before it forms a crust.
- Another common symptom is itching blisters.
- A single rash point may become visible in children and when the child scratches the area it will likely spread.
- There will be blisters that erupt easily and leave a reddened irritated area beneath when the disease is found in infants.
- Another common indicator of impetigo is swollen lymph nodes.
Diagnosis for Impetigo
It is easy to diagnose impetigo. A doctor will often determine impetigo by simply using sight and then continue from there. A culture sample may be taken on some occasions, but it isn’t done all the time.
Treatment for Impetigo
Impetigo isn’t treated directly by doctors. Rather doctors often treat the infection that is the root cause of the disorder. To clear out the infection a doctor will often prescribe an aggressive regimen of antibiotics. Doctors do this to stop the disorder from spreading by preventing the body from carrying the infection. In order for the body to be able to fight off the effects of impetigo the immune system needs to be strengthened.
Doctors will also prescribe washing the affected skin area several times a day with an antibacterial soap to remove the crusts and drainage to prevent the spread of impetigo to other parts of the skin.
Each time individuals wash they should use a clean wash cloth as well as a towel. You should never share a towel or any other item that comes in contact with the skin with anyone else since this will cause the disease to spread to others.
Prognosis for Impetigo
Impetigo can be cured easily. There are no lingering effects of the disorder after treatment in nine out of ten cases. While the sores will take awhile to heal, they will not scar. If children don’t have a strong immune system like adults there is the chance that the sores will recur. You should contact a doctor immediately to resume treatment if the sores reoccur.
Complications for Impetigo
It is extremely rare to find a complication with impetigo. The spreading of the disease to other parts of the body is the most common which happens from itching and not properly washing the hands after touching the sores.
Renal failure is possible from the infection that is the root cause of impetigo. However, this usually only happens when the infection is left untreated and is allowed to spread throughout the individuals body. After the first symptoms appear you can prevent this by seeking medical attention right away.
Permanent skin damage has been reported in some cases from impetigo. However, the number of cases is small and it is usually not an issue.
Medical Attention of Impetigo
If you believe you have any symptoms of impetigo you should get medical attention as soon as possible. To ward off any lingering affects of the infection that can cause severe complications to the body if left untreated you should begin treatment immediately. To prevent the spread of impetigo you should make sure you follow all of the guidelines that your doctor gives you. For small children and older adults the condition can become especially bothersome and it is a highly contagious disease.