Impetigo Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Impetigo is a skin infection disease that is often found in children and toddlers.
However, this condition can actually be experienced by anyone. It’s just that children and toddlers tend to have an immune system that is not strong enough to fight infection-causing bacteria.
Impetigo disease is usually characterized by redness of the face, especially the mouth, and nose, accompanied by the appearance of tissue such as blood or dried dirt (impetigo crustosa), can also be in the form of a lump (impetigo bullosa).
Impetigo is often caused by a bacterial infection. Therefore, it is very important to keep the skin clean so that it does not become infected and cause impetigo.
Impetigo
| Medical specialist | Skin and Gender Specialist |
| Symptoms | Scabs or sores on the surface of the skin |
| Risk Factors | Bad hygiene |
| Diagnosis | History, physical examination |
| Treatment | Oral and topical antibiotics |
| Drug | Broad spectrum antibiotics |
| Complications | Scar tissue, widespread infection, kidney disorders |
| When to See a Doctor? | If the complaint does not improve, accompanied by fever |
Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of impetigo include:
- In an impetigo infection, the tissue where the infection occurs is around the nostrils and mouth
- Usually, patients have complaints of thick yellow honey-colored tissue (impetigo crustose).
- It looks like a lump and is filled with fluid that can break so that it looks reddish (bullous impetigo)
Reason
The cause of impetigo is a bacterial infection, such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus.
These bacteria can be transmitted when someone is in direct contact with sufferers.
Transmission can also occur when patient items are used by healthy people, such as towels or clothes.
In addition, impetigo infection will be more contagious when someone has an open wound.
Risk Factors
There are several risk factors that increase your risk of developing impetigo, namely:
- Poor hygiene
- History of allergies
- The environment is too crowded and less clean
- Poor nutritional intake
- Live in a humid environment
Diagnosis
Impetigo disease can be known through the history and physical examination.
In some circumstances, it may be necessary to examine the network for germs.
This is done mainly if immunity or resistance to certain antibiotics is suspected, impetigo often occurs, and there is a history of infection with bacteria.
Sometimes, urine tests can also be done if an infection in the urinary tract and kidneys is suspected.
Treatment
Treatment of impetigo is generally carried out by administering antibiotics, both oral and topical which are broad-spectrum.
Unless there is antibiotic resistance, drug administration will be adjusted according to the results of the resistance test.
In addition, supporting drugs can also be given according to symptoms. If accompanied by fever, antipyretics such as paracetamol can be given.
To reduce the risk of immunity or antibiotic resistance, you should consult your doctor before using the drug.
Meanwhile, the treatment of impetigo that can be done at home is:
- Get enough rest, because rest can help the body to increase endurance
- Meet nutritional needs
- Avoid contact with other people
Prevention
Impetigo is a contagious disease. That’s why, the best way to prevent transmission of impetigo is to maintain personal and environmental hygiene, such as:
- Wash your hands frequently, especially after activities
- Avoid touching or scratching the wound
- Cover open wounds so they don’t become a pathway for bacteria to enter the body
- Always keep your nails clean
- Make sure clothes and things around are clean
- Do not share personal items with sufferers, such as spoons/forks, towels and clothes
- In children with impetigo, it is recommended not to leave the house until the symptoms have subsided to reduce the risk of transmission
Complications
Complications of impetigo that can occur are:
- The appearance of scar tissue
- A more serious infection could occur
- Presence of kidney disorders due to widespread infection
When to See a Doctor?
Hurry up to see a skin and genital specialist if you have the above symptoms of impetigo and are accompanied by fever.