{"id":5823,"date":"2019-04-19T05:02:12","date_gmt":"2019-04-19T05:02:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5823"},"modified":"2021-03-31T16:39:19","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T16:39:19","slug":"14-commons-symptoms-of-impetigo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-commons-symptoms-of-impetigo\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Commons Symptoms of Impetigo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Impetigo is a bacterial infection of the skin. It is common in children but can affect people of all ages. It appears are rest spots or blisters on areas of the skin. It may itch, hurt, or cause no discomfort at all. The blisters and infection usually occur on the face but can occur on the hands and legs too. In the early stages of the infection, there may only be a few noticeable spots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it is left untreated, it can become worse, and the infection can spread, causing more spots in other areas. The spots may become raised and can leak or ooze a liquid. The liquid can contain the bacteria and may cause infections in other parts of the body and in other people. Impetigo usually requires antibiotic creams and sometimes even oral antibiotics to clear up the infection. The infection may go away and come back worse as may the symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Blisters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blisters <\/a>are a common symptom of impetigo and one of the first that people notice. They may appear alone with skin sores or instead of the sores. They can range in size from small to large and can be filled with pus and fluid. The sores can spread out over a large area or pop up close together in small areas. The blisters are usually red or brown and are raised. Some may be clear, and others may appear to be bloody. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These sores can ooze a liquid or puss and be painful. Children often have a hard time not picking the blisters and can cause them to burst and lead to other infections. Picking or scratching to blisters can cause the bacteria responsible for impetigo to spread to other areas of the body or to other people. The blisters can be treated with antibiotics ointments and should be left to clear up on their own. Once the infection is gone, the blisters will go away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Skin Sores<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some people develop skin sores with impetigo<\/a>. They pop up in different areas of the body where the bacteria is present. They are commonly found around the ears, mouth, hands, and eyes. The sores may be raised or flat. They can range in color and may appear bloody or ooze a clear liquid. They may be painful or itchy, and if picked, they can cause scarring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In mild cases of the infection, a person might only have one sore or lesion, and it may be small. If the bacteria has spread to other areas of the body and is severe, there may be more lesions, and they may grow larger and spread quickly. It is not a good idea to pick at these skin sores, as it can cause the bacteria to spread more easily and lead to pain and other infections. They should be left uncovered and go away once the infection clears up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Crusting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Crusting usually occurs once the blister or sore on the skin break open and the liquid starts to ooze out. The liquid inside the blisters pushes on the skin until the blister or lesion breaks open. The fluid slowly leaks out of the skin and can dry to it and form a crust. Sometimes the crust dries directly over the lesion or blisters it came from, and sometimes it runs or dribbles to other areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the liquid dries, it sticks to the skin. It is often yellow or brown in color. If the lesions <\/a>are picked or scratched and bleeding, the blood can mix with the fluid inside the blisters, and the crusting may be red. \u00a0Crusting can also appear as scabs. It can be removed with alcohol or warm water. The fluid that dries to the skin and creates the crust can contain the bacteria that causes impetigo and could cause the infection to spread to other people or other parts of the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Swelling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Swelling <\/a>can occur in areas of the body where the infection is present. The lymph nodes can become inflamed, and as the body reacts to the infection, it swells to fight off the infection. If there are lesions or blisters present, and they are scratched, the skin is likely to become red and swollen from secondary infections as well. If the swelling becomes severe, medical treatment may be necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the counter medications that treat inflammation may help as can warm baths. Resting and elevating the swollen area may also help the swelling go down. The swelling may go away and come back, and it can also range from mild to severe. It can last as long as the infection is present in the skin and should go away as medication starts to work. Some people have no swelling at all or swelling that is so mild that they don\u2019t even notice it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Itching<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Itching <\/a>is common with impetigo, and most people experience severe itching in areas where the infection is present. It can lead to skin lesions and blisters that crack and leak out fluid. This can lead to more itching and cause bacteria to spread to other areas. Itching can also cause people to spread the bacteria to others. While the bacteria can wreak havoc on the skin and cause some severe itching, it\u2019s important not to touch the lesions and blister or scratch them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scratching them opens them up, and releases more of the infection on the skin. It also makes the area vulnerable to other infections. It can even lead to scarring. Applying a warm washcloth to the area can help with the itch. Doctors can also prescribe medication that will not only stop the itch but also help clear up the infection. If you touch the area, be sure to wash your hand thoroughly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Pain <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some people experience pain <\/a>with impetigo. As the bacteria move through the body, it can cause common aches and paint. Joint may become inflamed, and the surface of the skin may hurt where blisters and lesions form. The blisters can crack or break open and become sore. If the blisters are in areas that bend or move a lot, they can break open and become sore with every movement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some people want to cover the lesions with bandaids to protect them and reduce the pain, they need to stay open to get air and dry out properly. Once a lesion or blister scabs over, don\u2019t pick it. The scan can act as protection and reduce pain. Doctors can prescribe medications to help with the pain, and if the pain becomes too severe, the patient may need to be hospitalized due to other complications. Pain should subside once the infection clears up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Scarring<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Scarring <\/a>is a symptom that many people don\u2019t consider or become aware of until they are over the infection and notice marks on their skin. The lesions and blisters that form as a result of impetigo can scar the skin. The longer they are present and the worse they become, and the more likely they are to cause scarring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there is no way to avoid blisters or lesions, scarring can be avoided by not scratching the skin. If the skin itches or feels painful, it\u2019s best to use a warm cloth to soothe it. You can also apply antibiotic creams and ointments to the skin. Not only do they help relieve the pain, but they will also kill any bacteria that is on the surface of the skin and prevent the impetigo from spreading. If the impetigo is treated promptly, the scarring is less likely to occur or may not severe as long-term infections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Leaking Fluid<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Impetigo affects the skin and can cause damage in the form of blisters or open lesions. They can appear to be full of fluid or flat on the skin. They also tend to itch or even hurt. Most people scratch at these lesions and cause them to open up and leak fluid. The fluid <\/a>can run out or simply for as droplets on the skin. When you wipe them or move, they can drip and run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The liquid can contain bacteria that can spread the impetigo to other people and other parts of the body. It can be a clear, bloody, or yellow color. Not all blisters and lesions will leak fluid, and sometimes the blisters must be popped before they go down. The fluid can dry on the skin to form a crust. Leaking blisters or sores should be washed with warm water and soap. People with impetigo should avoid contact with others to avoid spreading the illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Deep Ulcers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Impetigo comes in different forms, with varying symptoms. one of the more aggressive forms of impetigo \u2013 is \u201cecthyma.\u201d This form of the disease penetrates the deeper layers of the skin. As a result, the affected individual may start to develop lesions that appear as deep, dark sores on the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These pus<\/a>-filled sores eventually pop, secreting a yellowish fluid. The ulcers will dry out and leave open wounds that are deep into the layers of the skin. Affected individuals need to keep the wound dry and ensure that they disinfect it to prevent invading fungi, viruses, and bacteria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of impetigo is rare, and only about one in every 15-cases reported involve this type of the disease. However, those children infected by ecthyma may end up with severe scarring that remains with them for the rest of their life. Fortunately, ecthyma does not affect the face, limiting itself to the limbs and torso.
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10. Bullous Impetigo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBullous Impetigo,\u201d is another lesser-known form of the disease. with this type of impetigo, the patient develops large blisters that form on the abdomen, glutes, and upper thighs of children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A less common form of the disorder, called bullous impetigo, may feature large blisters that occur on the trunk of infants and young children. The blisters develop a crusty layer, with small pus-filled sacs that burst after a day or two. The pus varies in color, from yellowish to clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients should take the necessary precautionary steps to prevent infection of the skin. Clean the area with warm salt water and rub an antibacterial ointment into the affected area after the blisters pop. Use calamine lotion to curb any itching symptoms and let the blister dry out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treat the dry blister with vitamin E<\/a> oil to prevent scarring, repeat this treatment two to three times a day until the blister heals.
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11. Spreading to other Regions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Impetigo is an incredibly infectious disease, and infected children should remain at home until the blisters heal. During this time, parents should quarantine <\/a>the child and avoid direct contact. Make sure that you wash all clothing, bed linens and towels daily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bacteria responsible for causing the disease may transfer to fabrics that make contact with the skin of the infected individual. It\u2019s essential for you to put the clothing and bedding in the dryer after washing \u2013 the additional heat kills the bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Failure to follow this protocol means that the patient runs the risk of the blisters spreading to other regions of the body. Kids are not always aware of their hygiene, and they may scratch blisters, transferring the bacteria to other areas of the body, where blisters then start to appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speak to your child and ask them to tell you if they experience any itching symptoms. Treat the itching with calamine lotion to soothe the skin.
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12. Complications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most Impetigo infections are not life-threatening and rarely present any adverse health complications. The scars from impetigo heal and don\u2019t leave any permanent skin damage. However, patients with ecthyma may have permanent scarring in the affected area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some bacterial strains responsible for causing impetigo can also cause severe complications in patients with existing health disorders. Patients who are suffering from kidney disease may find that a particular type of bacteria responsible for creating the condition may exacerbate the decline of their kidney health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with impetigo run the risk of developing cellulitis from the infection. The disease spreads under the skin, reaching the bloodstream <\/a>and the lymph nodes. At this stage, the bacteria may start to cause blood problems such as sepsis and septicemia, both of which as life-threatening conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients with Impetigo require a thorough checkup with their doctor to ensure there are no complications from the infection.
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13. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is a list of risk factors that make a group of people prone to contracting the bacteria that cause impetigo. If you find yourself in the high-risk groups mentioned below, speak to your healthcare practitioner about advice to protect your family from infection<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Age \u2013 Impetigo typically infects children between the ages of 2 and 5-years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immune weakness \u2013 Children have yet to develop a robust immune system, making them susceptible to the bacteria that causes the infection. Children who recently dealt with another disease are a higher risk than healthy children due to reduced immune efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nursey schools \u2013 Children that attend nursery school are prone to infection with the bacteria that cause impetigo. Children often share drinks and food, making an ideal environment for the spread of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weather conditions \u2013 Impetigo infections are common in the summer months of the year, as well as in humid and hot conditions.  \u2018
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14. Prevention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Should you find yourself in the high-risk group for impetigo, then there are a few strategies you can take to reduce your chances of infection. Nursery school teachers should keep parents informed about any new outbreaks of the disease in the schoolchildren. If your child experiences an infection, you must report it to the school and quarantine your child to prevent an outbreak occurring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep your skin clean at all times. Wash your hands regularly throughout the day. Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in your purse and use it after shaking hands with others. Make sure your child understands good hygiene<\/a>. Teach them not to share food and drinks with others, and to avoid contact with other children\u2019s body fluids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cut your child\u2019s nails short if infected to prevent them from scratching at the sores, which can lead to scarring. Remember to wash all linens, towels, and clothing every day until the infection clears.
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