Impetigo

Question 1

What is impetigo?

Answer 1

Impetigo is a skin infection caused by staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria

Question 2

What is the most common causative organism of impetigo?

Answer 2

Staphylococcus aureus

Question 3

What other organism can cause impetigo?

Answer 3

Streptococcus pyogenes

Question 4

What is the classification of impetigo?

Answer 4

Non-bullous
Bullous

Question 5

What is characteristic of non-bullous impetigo?

Answer 5

Itchy rash with golden crusting
Fever
School age child

Question 6

What is the presentation of bullous impetigo?

Answer 6

Vesicles which grow to become flaccid, fluid filled bullae
Honey crusted lesions after bullae rupture
Systemic features
- Fever
- Diarrhoea
- Lymphadenopathy

Question 7

What is the first line medical management of non-bullous impetigo?

Answer 7

Hydrogen peroxide cream
then
Topical fusidic acid (antibiotic)

Question 8

What is the second line medical management of non-bullous impetigo?

Answer 8

Flucloxacillin

Question 9

What is the management of bullous impetigo?

Answer 9

Oral flucloxacillin (clarithromycin or erythromycin second line)

Question 10

What are the differentials of impetigo?

Answer 10

HSV infection
Eczema herpeticum
Contact dermatitis

Question 11

What is the definitive investigation for impetigo?

Answer 11

Skin swab for MC&S