Impetigo

Impetigo

Definition

Impetigo is a severe skin illness that primarily affects newborns and young children. Impetigo typically manifests as red sores on the face, particularly in the vicinity of a child's mouth and nose. The sores swell and form crusts with a honey color.

Although impetigo may go away on its own in two to three weeks, antibiotics can speed up the healing process and help stop the disease from spreading.

Symptom

Impetigo is characterized by red sores that quickly erupt, ooze for a few days, and then develop a yellowish-brown crust. Although the sores typically appear around the nose and mouth, towels, clothes, and fingers can transmit them to other parts of the body.

Bullous impetigo, a less frequent variation of the condition, can cause larger blisters to appear on an infant or young child's trunk or diaper area.

Ecthyma, a more severe form of impetigo, causes painful, pus- or fluid-filled sores that develop into deep ulcers by penetrating deeper into the skin.

Causes

You're exposed to the bacteria that cause impetigo when you come into contact with the sores of someone who's infected or with items they've touched — such as clothing, bed linen, towels and even toys.

Risk Factors

Factors that increase the risk of impetigo include:

Age: Although anyone can develop impetigo, it most commonly occurs in children ages 2 to 6.

Crowded Conditions: Impetigo spreads easily in schools and child care settings.

Warm, Humid Weather: Impetigo infections are more common in summer.

Certain Sports: Participation in sports that involve skin-to-skin contacts, such as football or wrestling, increases your risk of developing impetigo.

Broken Skin: The bacteria that cause impetigo often enter your skin through a small skin injury, insect bite or rash.

Tests and Diagnosis

Impetigo is often identified by a doctor by looking at the recognizable sores. Lab testing are usually not required. Your doctor may take a sample of the liquid secreted by a sore and test it to determine what kinds of antibiotics might work best on it if the sores do not heal despite antibiotic treatment. Some of the impetigo-causing bacteria have developed resistance to specific antibiotic medications.

Treatments and Drugs

Systematic Antibodies

This therapy is usual treatment. It reduces contagious spread, treat deep infections and prevents acute glomerulonephritis which may occur as an aftermath of streptococcal skin disease.

Topical Antibacterial Therapy

This therapy may be prescribed when the disease is limited to a small area. However, topical therapy requires that the medication is applied to the lession several times daily for a week.

An Antiseptic Solution

An antiseptic solution such as povidone-iodine (betadine) may be used to clean the skin, reduce the bacterial content in the infected area, and prevent spread.

Nursing Management

• The nurse instructs the patient and family members to bath at least once a day with bacterial soap.
• Major nursing activities include patient education, particularly in proper skin care techniques and managing potential problems related to the skin disorder.
• Health education on
  • Nutrition
  • Hygiene
  • Providing positive reassurance.
• Each person should have a separate towel and wash cloth.

 References

• everydayfamily.com/impetigo/
• heather-terry.weebly.com/integumentary-system.html
• jogam.blog.xvideo.rio › DMCA report abuse › skin
• my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/group-a-streptococcal-infections
• Mandal, G. (August 2013). A Textbook of Adult Health Nursing (2nd ed.). Dilllibazar kathmandu: Makalu publication house. Retrieved August 2013
• medgyan.com/index.php?option=symptoms&deId=292
• quizlet.com/169992337/tissue-integrity-flash-cards/
• ww.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/impetigo/symptoms-causes/dxc-20202566