Impetigo
Signs & Symptoms
Red/itchy sores around nose / mouth
Crusts over yellow
leaks clear fluid or pus
Bacterial Infection of the skin
Non-bullous impetigo is caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes or a combination of both
Bullous impetigo is caused by Staphylococcus aureus
Impetigo caused by Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is becoming increasingly common.
Investigations
Swab culture
Complications
Management
hygiene measures to aid healing and stop infection spreading to other areas of the body and to other people
Advising children and adults to stay away from school or work until the lesions are dry and scabbed over
topical hydrogen peroxide
topical antibiotic
oral antibiotic
Causes
close contact with an infected person
via contaminated objects
The incubation period is 4–10 days
Differentials
cellulitis
ecthyma
necrotizing fasciitis
scabies
Chicken Pox
Dermatitis
Insect bites
Drug reactions
Sepsis
glomerulonephritis
Deeper tissue infection