Any disintegration of skin or rupture of the skin’s surface is literally known as skin infection. Normally, different types of microorganisms are responsible for various skin conditions or skin infections. Usual infection-causing pathogens are bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
A pathogen from a particular category of microbes causes a particular type of skin disease. Ringworm, impetigo, folliculitis and cellulitis are most common skin conditions. Impetigo is sort of a very dangerous skin ailment that leads to very complicated stages further. Let’s find out what is Impetigo and symptoms to identify Impetigo.
Impetigo and causative pathogen
Impetigo is a common bacterial skin infection. It can happen to people of any age group but is often seen in children. Impetigo is a transmittable skin infection and one need to be very careful to successfully prevent it from occurring. It spreads to other from parent victim through close contact. Exchange of towel and clothes with others is the main reason.
Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are two kinds of bacteria that cause impetigo. They are also known as staph and strep respectively and any one of these two is responsible for impetigo at a time. Injuries, cuts and already present skin problems like insect bites and eczema are the main entrances for them. Through them they get deep into the skin and cause infection.
Symptoms and identification of Impetigo
Genuinely, Impetigo is characterized by red sores on the body. These red sores can show up on the whole body but majorly aim at the mouth area. They begin as tiny red spots and with time break open and later secret fluid and finally grow into yellowish-brown crusts. Impetigo commonly occurs around mouth and under nose.
Red sores are not painful but are itchy and that’s why they spread from one body part on to the other. They seem to have surrounded by brown coating, look crusty and ooze fluid. These sores may vary in size and increase in number. The smaller ones are tiny pimples and those grown to the fullest are the size of a coin.
Diagnosis, treatment and prevention
Medical professionals diagnose impetigo by observing the skin. They prescribe tests and identify the causative bacteria. The major treatment for impetigo is antibiotics. If impetigo is mild, you apply ointment and cream on the sores but if it is on higher stage, the doctor may recommend strong antibiotic pills.
You will notice the first signs of improvement on 4th day of the treatment and the condition gets better onwards. The proper follow-up of medication will cure impetigo in a week or so. Before applying ointment o cream, wash the sores properly with Defense soap.
You can prevent the spread of impetigo if you take some preventive measures. Make sure not to scratch the sores as it can spread the infection to other body parts and the chances for other people to catch it increase. Behave as if you were on quarantine At home; never share towels, clothes and other accessories used by you with family members. Also, wash them in hot water before using again.
– By Micheal John
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