Impetigo

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection. It is caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus. It's generally seen in children, although it can occur in adults.

The typical "honeycomb" is usually seen, which is a yellow, sticky type of crusting, which is its cardinal symptom. It can be painful, though one doesn't usually have a fever. There is a variety that presents with blisters. It is then called bullous impetigo. Rather than cause a honey-colored crust, this type consists of fluid-filled bumps that ooze.

This type of skin infection can affect any part of the body, including the face. It is considered to be highly contagious and spreads by scratching from one bodypart to another. It is an infection of the top layers of skin. In kindergardens or among siblings it may spread from person to person.

What the picture above shows is a very nasty and serious case, whereas most cases are a little less dramatic. When one child gets this type of skin infection, other children in the family or at school usually contract the diseae as well, as it is pretty contagious. When children have skin to skin contact (fingers to face etc), bacteria are transmitted and skin injured, and facial skin infections are the result.

Treatment

Impetigo can be treated with oral or topical administration of antibiotics. It may even sometimes resolve spontanously without treatements.

Skin infections are very common both among adults and children, but the types of skin infections that predominate may vary with age. Furuncles, carbuncles, erysipelas and cellulitis are more common with adults, while impetigo occurs more frequently with children.

It is not a pleasant thought, but millions of micro organisms, including bacteria and fungi, are living on your skin. They usually do no harm. They inhabit the skin in peaceful harmony with the host (you). But once you get a cut, scrape or an insect bite, these everyday bacteria may take the opportunity to invade the slightly deeper layers of the skin and cause an infection.

The most frequent bacteriae behind skin infections are Streptococci and Staphylococci. On the skin they cause folliculitis, cellulitis, impetigo, bullous impetigo, erysipelas, furuncles and carbuncles. They can also cause infections elsewhere, in mucous membranes like in strep-throat, and deeper tissues, like in necrotizing faciitis, or what is more commonly referred to as "flesh-eating bacteria", which damages not only skin tissue but also muscle and fat. This is a very serious condition, and may lead to death within a few days. And Staphylococcus can cause illnesses such as meningitis and toxic shock syndrome.

How do these Infections Develop?

Impetigo, cellulitis and erysipelas develops after the skin has been scratched or otherwise injured, opening the skin for invasion. Folliculitis develops when the bacteriae multiply in the hair follicles anywhere on the body. Erysipelas typically develops when one has a runny nose caused by streptococci. The combination with streptococcal nasal discharge and a casual scratch is what it takes.

Two other types in the family of skin infections caused by staphylococci are the furuncle and the carbuncle. Furuncles and carbuncles can be seen on any area of the skin, just like the other skin infections mentioned above. The neck in the area of the shirt collar, or skin areas with hair-follicles that are irritated by pressure from belts or the persons body weight when sitting much, or anywhere where hair grows.

These infections are treated just like other skin infections, with topical or oral antibiotics. Carbuncles and furuncles are even treated by lancing them to evacuate the pus, thus making them more available to the healing effect of the orally and topically administered drugs and regimens.