Impetigo Flashcards
What are the features of impetigo?
golden crusted skin lesions typically found around the mouth
What type of infection is impetigo? What is it caused by?
bacterial
Caused by staph aureus- this gives it a golden, crusted colour
less commonly caused by strep pyogenes
Impetigo occurs when bacteria enter via a break in the skin. This may be in otherwise healthy skin or may be related to eczema or dermatitis.
***Check images
How can impetigo be classified?
Bullous and non bullous
How long should someone with impetigo stay at home?
Children and adults should stay away from school and other childcare facilities or work until lesions are healed, dry and crusted over or 48 hours after initiation of antibiotics.
avoid sharing stuff e.g face toweels
What is non bullous impetigo?
how is it formed (pathophys)
- most common
- red bump –> blister –> blister ruptures –> oozing
- -> crusts over –> characteristic yellow scab formation
check images
What is bullous impetigo caused by ? always
staph aureus
Bullous impetigo is most commonly seen in…..
neonates and children under 2 yrs, but can occur in older kids and adults
does non bullous impetigo cause systemic symptoms?
NO
treatment of non bullous impetigo
Topical fusidic acid can be used to treat localised non-bullous impetigo. Draft NICE guidelines from August 2019 suggest using antiseptic cream (hydrogen peroxide 1% cream) first line rather than antibiotics for localised non-bullous impetigo.
Oral flucloxacillin is used to treat more wide spread or severe impetigo. Flucloxacillin is the antibiotic of choice for staphylococcal infections.
how is bullous impetigo caused?
Bullous impetigo is always caused by the staphylococcus aureus bacteria. These bacteria can produce epidermolytic toxins that break down the proteins that hold skin cells together. This causes 1 – 2 cm fluid filled vesicles to form on the skin. These vesicles grow in size and then burst, forming a “golden crust”. Eventually they heal without scarring. These lesions can be painful and itchy.
