Impetigo Flashcards
Causative organism of impetigo
Staphylococcus aureus or streptococcus pyogenes
How does impetigo present
Golden crust - staph aureus
Should children be kept of school with impetigo
Yes as highly contagious
Off until all lesions have healed or abx for 48 hours
Pathophysiology of impetigo
When bacteria enter via a break in the skin
Classification of impetigo
Non-bullous
Bullous
Non-Bullous Impetigo
Occurs around the nose or mouth.
The exudate from the lesions dries to form a “golden crust
Generally no systemic symptoms
Management of non - bullous impetigo
Antiseptic cream
Topical fusidic acid
Oral flucloxacillin - wide spread/ severe impetigo
Advice about impetigo
Avoid spread by not touching or scratching the lesions
Do not share towels or bedding
Bullous Impetigo
Vesicles grow and burst
Form a golden crust
Eventually heals with no scarring
Lesions can be painful and itchy
Can have systemic synptoms
What causes bullous impetigo
Always caused by staph aureus
Pathophysiology of bullous impetigo
Staph aureus produces epidermolytic toxins that break down the proteins that hold skin cells together.
Causes vesicle formation
Which type of impetigo is more common in neonates and children under 2 yo
Bullous impetigo
Severe bullous impetigo
Staphylococcus scalded skin syndrome - widespread lesions
Investigations for bullous impetigo
Swabs of vesicles - microscopy, sensitivity and culture
Management of impetigo
Oral flucloxacillin
Can be IV
Isolate
