What is impetigo?

“What is impetigo?” is a question usually asked by many people all across the world.


Impetigo can be described as a skin infection, which is mainly seen in babies and children. This infection is highly contagious and is characterized by reddish sores on the face, mainly around the mouth and the nose. Fortunately, this condition is seldom serious and requires no treatment, as it clears up on its own, within two or three weeks.


However, there are times when impetigo in children could lead to complications and when that happens, doctors may need to use antibiotics to treat the condition. Although anybody can develop impetigo, it is a lot more common in children between the ages of 2 and 6, as compared to others. Infants too are vulnerable to impetigo, because their immune systems are not strong enough to fight the condition off. Though rare, it is possible to see symptoms of impetigo in adults who are suffering from diabetes or any other condition that weakens their immune system. However, adults are more likely to develop a different form of impetigo, which is slightly serious.

Causes of impetigo

There are two types of bacteria that that are known to be the major causes of impetigo in children; these two bacteria include Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. These bacteria actually live on the skin without causing any trouble, until they enter the body, either through a wound or a cut. When they do enter the body, they usually lead to an infection. This infection spreads from one individual to the other, through personal contact, or even just by touching an infected person’s belongings, clothes, towels and bed linen. When the staphylococcus bacteria enter the skin, they produce a certain toxic substance which causes the infection to spread to the surrounding skin too. However, the most common causes of impetigo in adults are injuries to the skin, caused by certain dermatological conditions, like dermatitis.

Symptoms of impetigo

There are three different types of impetigo and the symptoms of impetigo for each type may vary a little bit. The most common form of this infection is Impetigo contagiosa, followed by Bullous impetigo. The most serious form of impetigo is Ecthyma, which is more common in adults, than it is in babies or children. Some of the most common symptoms of impetigo in babies and children are:

• The appearance of blisters that are filled with fluid
• Itchiness 
• Red sores, which rupture in a short while
• Oozing from the sores for a couple of days, before the formation of a yellow colored crust
• Pus filled sores, which may develop into ulcers on the skin (only in case of the severe form of impetigo)
  

Although impetigo is not a serious problem, some of its symptoms can lead to a lot of discomfort, which is why many parents consult doctors and dermatologists, to get information on remedies for impetigo.

Impetigo natural treatment

In case the infection is not too severe, that is, it has not spread to a wide area of the skin, there are several home remedies that can be used to reduce the itchiness and the redness. Given below are some of the home remedies that could form part of your impetigo natural treatment:

• Mix one ounce of vinegar to 16 ounces of water and then soak the affected skin in this solution for around 20 minutes or so. This makes it easier to get rid of the scabs gently

• Wash the area at least three of four times a day and pat it dry, before applying a topical ointment.

• Use some nonstick dressing to keep the affected area covered. This prevents the infection from spreading.

In case the symptoms of impetigo are evident even after two or three weeks, then it may be best to consult a doctor.