What kind of infection is this and what forms are there?
Streptococci and staphylococci often live on the skin and noses of healthy people without causing illness. The infection develops when bacteria penetrate through minor injuries: abrasions, scratches, bites, cracks. Classic impetigo begins with a red spot on which a vesicle with cloudy contents appears. It quickly bursts, leaving erosion that becomes covered with a honey-yellow crust. There are other forms: bullous with large blisters, seizures in the corners of the mouth, ecthyma with deep ulcers.
- Streptococcal impetigo
- Bullous impetigo with large blisters
- Slit-like impetigo (jams)
- Tourniol - inflammation of the ridge around the nail
- Ecthyma - deep ulcerative form
- Streptoderma in skin folds
Causes and routes of infection
Infection occurs through direct contact with a sick person, through shared towels, clothing, toys and utensils. The child himself spreads the infection to new areas by scratching the rash. The latent period usually lasts several days. Skin damage and a decrease in its protective properties contribute to the disease: atopic dermatitis, scabies, pediculosis, chicken pox, insect bites. In summer, the risk is higher due to heat, sweating and frequent abrasions. In adults, streptoderma often occurs after shaving and against the background of diabetes mellitus.
- Contact with the sick in a children's group
- Shared towels, toys, clothes
- Scratching for itching
- Atopic dermatitis, scabies, chicken pox
- Hot humid weather
- Diabetes mellitus and reduced immunity
Symptoms
The rash most often appears on the face, around the mouth and nose, and on the arms and legs. First, redness occurs, then a blister or pustule, which opens within a few hours. Wet erosion forms, quickly becoming covered with a yellow crust, similar to dried honey. The lesions can merge with each other. A slight itching appears, and sometimes the nearby lymph nodes become enlarged. General health in the superficial form usually does not suffer, and the temperature is characteristic of a common process and ecthyma.
- Red spots and blisters
- Erosion with honey-yellow crusts
- Itching
- Fusion of lesions
- Enlargement of nearby lymph nodes
- Temperature in the common form
Diagnosis and complications
Diagnosis is usually made by the appearance of the rash. Culture of the discharge with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics is performed in case of ineffective treatment, frequent relapses and in severe cases. The doctor rules out herpes, fungal infection, scabies and dermatitis. Possible complications include deep ulcers with scars, cellulitis, and inflammation of the lymphatic vessels. In rare cases, glomerulonephritis develops after a streptococcal skin infection, so it is worth doing a general urine test and monitoring for swelling for several weeks after recovery.
- Examination by a dermatologist or pediatrician
- Culture with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics
- General urine test after illness
- Elimination of scabies and herpes
- Checking sugar levels in adults with frequent relapses
Treatment and prevention
For limited lesions, antiseptics and antibacterial ointments are prescribed. Before applying the ointment, the crusts are softened and carefully removed according to the doctor’s recommendation. In case of multiple rashes, deep forms, fever and ineffectiveness of local treatment, oral antibiotics are prescribed. The duration of the course is determined by the doctor; it cannot be interrupted when the crusts disappear. A sick child is not taken to kindergarten or school until the doctor gives permission: usually no earlier than a day after the start of antibiotics and when the lesions dry out.
- Personal towel and bed linen, wash at high temperature
- Keep nails short and do not scratch rashes.
- Wash your hands after treating outbreaks
- Treat abrasions and bites
- Treat atopic dermatitis and scabies
- Examine other children in the family