Dealing With Impetigo
Often thought of as embarrassing condition, impetigo is an extremely common complaint especially amongst young children commonly of pre-school age. It is highly contagious, so can be contracted very easily and is also often seen in those who play close contact sports or work in close proximity with other people which really should remove the stigma of it being an embarrassing problem.
Causes Of Impetigo
The reason it is thought of as embarrassing is because it is often contracted as a result of poor hygiene practices and is spread through contaminated touch from areas such as the hands.As children are unlikely to adhere to strict hygiene practices or are unable to manage their hygiene efficiently or adequately they are the group of people who are the most affected.The actual cause of the problem is due to certain bacteria that infect the skin and cause sores. There are two types of bacteria that can cause impetigo each causing different symptoms and nature of sores but always on the skin.
Treating Impetigo
In many cases of impetigo your doctor may simply recommend stricter hygiene practices and frequent cleansing of the skin and allowing the area to air dry thus preventing the infection spreading via towels and also to prevent excessive drying and irritation to the skin itself.The most common interventional treatment for impetigo is to apply a topical antibiotic ointment to the affected area. The ointment is most suitable as it is ideal for children who may be reluctant or unable to swallow tablets or dislike medicines and can be applied gently without causing discomfort. Administering antibiotic therapy in this manner also reduces the likelihood of some of the common side effects of these drugs such as diarrhoea or gastric irritation.It is important to continue using the ointment even after the scabs that might have formed begin to dry and clear up as the active agent in the lotion will need to get into the sore and kill the bacteria held within.If blisters have developed do not try and pop these yourself as this increases the chance of further infections and soreness; they must be allowed to dry and shed in their own time all the while continuing to use the ointment.If an adult has developed impetigo and the case is quite severe it may be treated with oral antibiotics if necessary.
Preventing The Spread of Impetigo
As impetigo is a highly contagious condition it may not be possible to always prevent contracting the bacterial infection though certain practices will help to prevent you from spreading it yourself.Hygiene should be paramount and frequent washing of the skin especially the hands, before and after toileting and eating, will be needed.Nails should be kept short and clean, using a nail brush when needed and should not be bitten.
Children who have impetigo or those who work in an environment with other people especially those who are vulnerable should not mix with others or socialise during this time and are advised to refrain from this until the treatment has had a chance to kill off the infection and become less contagious. With children who are using the ointment, this is normally one week after treatment has begun.As a carer it is important to remember to wash your hands before and after applying the ointment or after being in close contact with your child and remember to keep your hands away from food, your nose and mouth or any open sores you might have.
Impetigo is a highly contagious condition and is more common in children. It is often thought of as an embarrassing problem which may be a little unjustified because of its high level of contagion.
