Impetigo Causes – Infection and Blisters on Skin

Impetigo is a highly contagious skin disease which is mostly prevalent among children caused by group A streptococci or Staphylococcus aureus or by a combination of these two bacteria. There are many reasons attributed to the cause of impetigo and poor nutrition and poor hygiene can be a leading cause.

Impetigo Causes – Common Risk Factors

There are many ways to incur impetigo. One of the common impetigo causes include the bacteria Staphylococcus and streptococci, which thrive in warm and humid conditions. In most cases, the skin infection arises during hot, humid summer months, when children get hurt while playing under the sun, they are most likely to be infected by these bacteria. These bacteria generally can thrive on the surface of the skin and can gain access inside the body through open cuts or open wounds and become one of the leading impetigo causes. Unsanitary conditions and diseases that lower the immune system of the body help in further development of the infection. Food which lack the essential nutrients, like essential vitamins and minerals, pose a serious chance to catch the infection.

Impetigo in Children – Signs and Symptoms

Impetigo is particularly common in small children as well as toddlers where they are prone to infections. A small rash typically arises after 3 to 10 days after infection. Initially, impetigo in children can be seen as small blisters developing on top of the rash. Most of the time, these blisters remain invisible to the naked eye. These blisters tend to break leaving a scabby mark on your skin, which can be seen as pink to red colored patch over the skin. In most of the cases, impetigo in children develops inflammation underneath the patch. Although the face is the common area to be affected by the bacteria, it can also happen in other areas, as well. The size of the patch varies depending upon the intensity of the infection and small, satellite patches tend to emerge from the existing patch and tend to spread the infection.

Impetigo in Adults – Effective Treatments

It is not very difficult to treat impetigo in adults and is not a serious problem unless it is left untreated. Mild cases can, however, be treated with gentle cleansing with mild anti septic soaps. The crust of the infection should be removed, and antibiotic ointment like mupirocin or bactroban can be applied over the infected area. Topical ointments like Neosporin are not found to be effective against the infection. However, penicillin derivative ointments like Augmentin, Cephalexin, are found to be effective against the infection. For Methicillin resistant staphylococcus strains, clindamycin, bactrim, or septra may be required. For mild to moderate infections, regular application of the ointment can cure the infection. In severe form of infection, it is better consult a dermatologist to abate the infection.