Impetigo

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is impetigo? Impetigo (im-pe-TEYE-go) is a common skin infection (in-FEK-shun). It is also called pyoderma (peye-oh-DER-mah). You may get impetigo anywhere on your body. It is most common on the face, arms, and legs. Children get impetigo more often than adults.

What causes impetigo?

• Impetigo is caused by a germ called bacteria (bak-TEE-ree-ah). The infection can happen when bacteria enter through a broken or injured area of the skin. For example, your skin may be broken because of a cut, scratch, bug bite, or another rash. Impetigo happens more often in the hot, humid summer months.
  
  
• Impetigo is contagious (kon-TAY-jus), which means it can be easily spread to another person. This can happen if another person touches the infected area of your skin. It can also be spread on items you have used, such as bed linens or washcloths. You can spread impetigo on your own body. It can spread when you scratch it, or if you touch the infected area and then touch somewhere else.

What are the signs and symptoms of impetigo? Impetigo often starts as a sore near the nose or mouth, or in an injured area of your skin. The infection starts as a red sore that may blister and form a crust. The skin may be itchy, but it usually does not hurt. Within one to three days it quickly spreads as a red rash with watery, yellow-colored, or pus-filled blisters. The blisters break and form thick yellow to honey-colored crusts.

What may be done to treat impetigo? Your caregiver may suggest one or more of the following treatments:

• Hand washing: Always wash you or your child's hands after caring for or touching the sores. Hand washing with soap and warm water should be done often. You should also wash your hands before touching food, your eyes, or other people. If no water is available, use germ-killing hand lotion or gel to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand lotion or gel works best. You should then wash your hands with soap and water as soon as it is available.
  
  
• Skin care: Wash your skin sores with antibacterial (an-ti-bak-TEE-ree-al) soap and water. You may need to do this two to three times a day until the sores heal. If the area is crusted, soak the area with warm soapy water before washing. Gently wash the sores with gauze or a clean wash cloth to remove the crust. Removing the crust helps the healing of the sores. If possible, cover the sores with gauze to prevent scratching and accidental touching of the area. Keep fingernails cut short since scratching the sores can cause the infection to spread. A child with impetigo may need to wear mittens on his hands to prevent scratching the sores.
  
  
• Around the house: Do not share or reuse items that have come in contact with impetigo sores. Examples may include bedding, towels, washcloths, or eating utensils. These items may be used again after they have been cleaned with hot water and soap. You can clean these items by hand, or by using a dishwasher or washing machine.
  
  
• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to fight infection caused by bacteria. It can be given as a pill to swallow, or as a cream or ointment that is put on the infected skin. Always take your antibiotic (an-ti-bi-AH-tik) medicine exactly as ordered by your caregiver. If you are using a cream or ointment, wash your hands before and after applying it. If you are taking pills, take them until they are gone, even if your skin gets better. Stopping antibiotics without your caregiver's OK may make the medicine unable to kill the germs causing your infection. Never "save" antibiotics or take leftover antibiotics that were given to you for another illness.

How can I avoid getting impetigo? If someone has impetigo, do not touch their skin. Keep yourself and your children clean, and clean your home often. Wash any new skin injury with soap and water right after it happens. Keep any area of injured skin clean until it heals.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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