A Simple Guide to Impetigo

A Simple Guide to Impetigo
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What is Impetigo?
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Impetigo is a vesiculopustular skin infection occurring mainly at all ages.


What are the causes of Impetigo?
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Bacterial Infections:
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1.Gram positive bacteria such as Streptococcus and Staphphylococcus are common

2.Gram negative bacteria such as Klebsiella, E.coli, Pseudomonas,


What are Signs and symptoms of Impetigo?
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Symptoms:

1.vesicles that appears rapidly on the face, hands and knee

2.Yellow liquid or pus discharges from vesicles

3.form crusts

Signs:

1.Vesicles rash present on face, hand and knees

2.yellow crusts appeared and spread to surrounding tissues

3.Neighboring lymph nodes may be enlarged


How is the diagnosis of Impetigo made?
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1.Symptoms and signs of vesiculopustular lesions of the skin.

2.Culture and sensitivity to antibiotics of the discharge or crusts from skin lesions



What are the complications of Impetigo?
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1.cellulitis

2.abscess

3.carbuncle( a group of abscesses which join together to become a large abscess

4.lymphadenitis


What is the treatment of Impetigo?
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1.Removal of crusts with warm saline or liquid paraffin

2.Strong antibiotic cream applied to skin lesions.

3. Strong systemic antibiotics

a.cephalosporin, penicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, for most streptococci,
staphalococci,
hemophilus

b.cephalosporins, gentamycin for
pseudomonas

4.surgery to drain abscess and carbuncles may be necessary


What is the prognosis of Impetigo ?
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Generally excellent with good healing


What are the Preventive measures taken for Impetigo ?
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1.Avoid touching skin with dirty hands

2.Good hand hygiene

3.Healthy lifestyle with balance diet and adequate sleep.

4.Proper skin care