Understanding What Impetigo Is
The treatment for impetigo involves
applying a prescription antibiotic ointment. The very mild cases of
impetigo can go away without treatment. Bullous impetigo, may
require oral antibiotic medication to be cleared up.
There are two types of impetigo, non-bullous and bullous. The more
common type is the non-bullous impetigo. This type is caused by
both Staph and Strep. The individual with this infection may notice
small blisters or scabs, which will form yellow crusts. Non-bullous
impetigo usually appears on the nose, face, arms and legs. The
glands nearby may be swollen.
Staph bacteria that then produce a toxin that will cause the
skin to break out in blisters cause the bullous type of
impetigo.
Impetigo is contagious when there is direct skin-to-skin contact
with someone who has impetigo. Impetigo usually spreads to other
parts of the body, especially in children.
Other conditions like ringworm and scabies mimic impetigo, so a
doctor has to diagnose impetigo.
The treatment for impetigo involves applying a prescription
antibiotic ointment. The very mild cases of impetigo can go away
without treatment. Bullous impetigo, may require oral antibiotic
medication to be cleared up. The doctor may need to take a culture
to decide which antibiotic is best to use.
There is one possible complication of impetigo and that is
"glomerulonephritis", a kidney condition that produces
inflammation. This complication is rare and does not cause any
lasting kidney damage.
Impetigo does not normally leave scars unless it goes untreated
over a long period of time.
It is important to seek medical care as soon as you notice the
symptoms of impetigo because treating it with antibiotics will help
it to heal faster which decreases the chance of spreading it to
others. The antibiotic prescribed may be oral, an ointment or both.
Usually the antibiotic is of the penicillin family medicines or a
related type of medicine called cephalosporins. Those who are
allergic to penicillin are usually treated with erythromycin,
clarithromycin or azithromycin. The topical ointment that is
usually used is called mupirocin .
Staph Infection On SkinIf you have a cut, abrasion or other skin opening such as scaly skin or dry patches then the bacteria can enter your skin and cause infection.
MRSA is prevalent among groups of people like school sport teams, dormatory residents, and military personnel because these are all individuals who live, work or play in close contact with others and are likely to share objects.
Skin Infection Dogs
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You will need to notify your doctor or be seen immediately if
you notice blood in your urine, your skin swells, or you experience
a rise in your blood pressure. You will also need to let your
doctor know if the impetigo gets worse.
When being seen by the doctor for impetigo, there are no tests
necessary because the diagnosis is made by sight alone.
It is important to clean all sores or bites with an
antibacterial soap. Be careful not to scratch or pick at
wounds.
After applying antibacterial ointment it is important to wash
your hands so you do not spread the infection.
The best way to prevent impetigo is to always clean scrapes and
cuts and apply antibacterial ointment. Avoid receiving any type of
skin injury if possible and seek medical attention when you suspect
you may have impetigo.
New Info on Skin Infections
11/19/2008
Skin cancer vaccine on its way (TVNZ)
Cancer Council Australia (CCA) has welcomed the announcement of a possible vaccine for skin cancer as groundbreaking. Former Australian of the Year Ian Frazer is on the verge of creating the world's first skin cancer vaccine.
Skin cancer vaccine on its way (TVNZ)
11/19/2008
Theravance infection drug OK'd by FDA (Contra Costa Times)
South San Francisco-based Theravance Inc. won a U.S. panels backing to introduce a new drug for hard-to-treat skin infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, which kills almost 19,000 Americans a year.
Theravance infection drug OK'd by FDA (Contra Costa Times)
11/20/2008
New Study Reaffirms Quick-Med's NIMBUS(R) Technology Poses No Threat Of Bacterial Resistance (Medical News Today)
Quick-Med Technologies, Inc. announced today that Dr. Albina Mikhaylova, Senior Scientist at Quick-Med, presented conclusive evidence at the Symposium on Skin and Wound Care that the Company's patented NIMBUS® antimicrobial technology poses no threat of bacterial resistance.
New Study Reaffirms Quick-Med's NIMBUS(R) Technology Poses No Threat Of Bacterial Resistance (Medical News Today)
11/17/2008
Holik could've lost finger to infection (The Times of Trenton)
Bobby Holik said Monday he feels fortunate he didn't lose his right pinke to an infection. "They said if it was any worse I could've lost a finger," Holik said. "It was an open wound. Infection was a problem."
Holik could've lost finger to infection (The Times of Trenton)
11/19/2008
FDA panel splits on pair of antibiotics (San Francisco Chronicle)
Federal health advisers on Wednesday backed the benefits of an experimental antibiotic but rebuffed another, questioning whether it would be able to fight dangerous staph infections that are becoming increasingly common. A panel of infection experts assembled...
FDA panel splits on pair of antibiotics (San Francisco Chronicle)
11/19/2008
FDA panel splits on pair of antibiotics (San Francisco Chronicle)
Federal health advisers on Wednesday backed the benefits of an experimental antibiotic but rebuffed another, questioning whether it would be able to fight dangerous staph infections that are becoming increasingly common. A panel of infection experts assembled...
FDA panel splits on pair of antibiotics (San Francisco Chronicle)
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