Impetigo, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

Impetigo is a medical disorder with vesiculo-pustular skin infection happening at all ages.
Impetigo is a very frequent infection of the superficial layer of the skin.
It can be classified into:
1. Non-bullous and
2. Bullous forms.
The non-bullous forms represent about 70%.
Bacterial Infections:
1. Gram positive bacteria such as Streptococcus and Staphphylococcus are frequent.
2. Gram negative bacteria such as Klebsiella, E.coli, Pseudomonas,
3. Various viral skin infections such as herpes zoster, herpes simplex, and varicella zoster viruses
4. Bullous pemphigoid
Impetigo is produced by streptococcus (strep) or staphylococcus (staph) bacteria.
Methicillin-resistant staph aureus (MRSA) is becoming a frequent cause.
Skin normally has many forms of bacteria on it.
Normally the main factor is a tear of the skin but bullous impetigo may involve intact skin and is almost invariably produced by S. aureus.
Symptoms of impetigo are:
1. One or many blisters that is filled with pus and ready to pop.
2. In infants, the skin is reddish or raw-looking where a blister has broken.
3. Blisters itch, are filled with yellow or honey-colored fluid and ooze and crust over
4. Rash that may start as a single spot, but spreads to other areas with scratching
5. Skin sores on the face, lips, arms, or legs that spread to other areas
6. Swollen lymph nodes near the infection
Culture and sensitivity to antibiotics of the discharge or crusts from skin lesions is done.
Biopsy may be necessary in doubtful or refractory patients of impetigo.
In bullous impetigo, few or no inflammatory cells are present within the bulla.
A polymorphous infiltrate is present in the upper dermis.
Acantholysis is noted in the granular layer.
In non-bullous impetigo, a serum crust is present above the epidermis.
Neutrophils are frequent within the crust. In addition, gram-positive cocci are observed.
Epidermal spongiosis and a severe dermal infiltrate of neutrophils and lymphoid cells are observed.
The purpose of treatment is to get rid of the infection and relieve the symptoms.
The doctor will apply an antibacterial cream.
The patient may need to take antibiotics by mouth if the infection is severe.
Local treatment affects cleansing, elimination of crusts, and frequent wet dressings applications.
If the condition is localized, topical mupirocin or fusidic acid is applied to the affected skin
Surgery to drain abscess and carbuncles may be necessary.

TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Impetigo
Chapter 2 Causes
Chapter 3 Symptoms
Chapter 4 Diagnosis
Chapter 5 Treatment
Chapter 6 Prognosis
Chapter 7 Pimples
Chapter 8 Furuncle
Epilogue