Impetigo Flashcards
What is impetigo?
Superficial bacterial skin infection
What are the main causes of impetigo?
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus pyogenes
How can Impetigo occur?
As a primary infection
or
Secondary to an existing skin condition
What can impetigo occur secondary to?
- Eczema (in this case)
- Scabies
- Insect bites
Where on the body does impetigo tend to affect?
Face, flexures and limbs
How is impetigo spread?
By direct contact with discharges from the scabs of an infected person.
What is the intubation period for impetigo?
4-10 days
What are the main features of impetigo?
‘golden’, crusted skin lesions typically found around the mouth
very contagious
What are the 2 classifications of impetigo?
Bullous
Non-bullous
Where does non-bullous impetigo tend to occur?
Around the nose or mouth.
How does someone with non-bullous impetigo present?
lesions around the nose or mouth which dry and form a “golden crust”.
They are often unsightly but do not usually cause systemic symptoms or make the person unwell.
What is the management of localised non-bullous impetigo?
Antiseptic cream (hydrogen peroxide 1% cream)
Which Antiseptic cream can be used for localised non-bullous impetigo?
1% Hydrogen peroxide
What can be used for more widespread non-bullous impetigo?
Oral flucloxacillin
What is bullous impetigo always caused by?
Staphylococcus aureus infection
How does bullous impetigo progress?
1 – 2 cm fluid filled vesicles to form on the skin
These grow in size and then burst, forming a “golden crust”.
How does bullous impetigo resolve?
Heals without scarring
How does a patient with bullous impetigo usually present?
Systemically unwell
Painful, itchy lesions
Fluid filled vesicles
Golden crust
What can occur in a more severe case of bullous impetigo where the lesions are widespread?
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
How can the diagnosis of impetigo be confirmed?
Swabs of the vesicles
What is the management of bullous impetigo if the patient is severely unwell?
IV Flucloxacillin
What might you need to do with a patient with bullous impetigo?
Isolate the patient- Very contagious
What is the management of someone with severe bullous impetigo if the patient is penicillin allergic?
Erythromycin
