Prevent the spread of impetigo

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Le Thi Thu Hang - Dermatologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Impetigo is a common skin infection in young children. More than 90% of cases are caused by staph, so keeping personal hygiene and living environment is essential to prevent impetigo from spreading.

1. What is impetigo?

Impetigo is a superficial infection of the skin caused by bacteria. The disease is very easy to spread directly from infected skin areas to healthy skin areas and spread to other people.
Impetigo can occur at any age, but most children are of preschool age. Impetigo is often confused with other skin diseases. If diagnosed early and treated properly, the disease will heal quickly and leave no scars. Otherwise, the disease can lead to serious complications.
Manifestations of impetigo is the appearance of round-shaped blisters on the skin, which are easily broken after a few hours, the blisters become cloudy, pus and then burst, yellow scabs. The most common location of impetigo is on the face, open skin or anywhere including the palms of the hands and feet. The disease never appeared in the mucosal area. In the scalp area, scabs can make hair sticky. The disease usually clears up in 7-10 days with proper treatment.

2. Is impetigo dangerous? Is impetigo contagious?

Impetigo is a skin infection caused by strep or staph bacteria. Most common in children, especially between the ages of 2 and 5, impetigo rarely occurs in adults. Bacteria can penetrate shallow or deep skin layers depending on the case.
2.1 Is impetigo dangerous? Impetigo is not dangerous, causing sores that usually heal without scarring. However, if not treated early, it can cause superinfection and even toxicosis caused by staphylococci causing 4S syndrome, which is very severe and can be life-threatening. Streptococcal impetigo can cause complications of acute glomerulonephritis.
2.2 Is impetigo contagious? Impetigo is contagious, it spreads from person to person through contact with fluid oozing from the sores. The disease is commonly transmitted in schools and childcare facilities by crowding, sharing towels, sheets, toys, or other items with an infected person. In addition, scratching can also cause the sores to spread to other parts of the body.

3. Methods to prevent impetigo from spreading

What should be done to prevent impetigo from spreading?
Keep your skin clean: You can do this by washing away scrapes, insect bites and wounds immediately. Maintain personal hygiene: Wash the sick person's clothes, face, and towels every day and do not share those items with anyone else in the household. Treat sick people early, avoid infecting people around Isolation: sick children should not come to class, can infect other children. Especially in kindergarten, children often play with the same toys. Cut nails: Impetigo is often spread from one area of ​​the skin to another through the fingernails. Make sure to cut your nails neatly and cleanly so that bacteria do not accumulate under the nails and when scratching, the skin will be less damaged. Impetigo is not dangerous, but it is a highly contagious disease. Keeping skin clean is the best way to keep it healthy and prevent impetigo. It is important to immediately clean cuts, scrapes, insect bites and wounds. To help prevent impetigo from spreading to others.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.
Doctor Thu Hang has over 10 years of experience in the field of dermatology. Especially experienced in the treatment of adult and pediatric skin diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, autoimmune and rare skin diseases. The doctor has obtained certificates and university degrees at home and abroad such as: Degree I - Dermatology, Hanoi Medical University, DFMS Degree - Dermatology, University of Paris XIII, France before becoming a doctor. dermatology at the Department of Internal Medicine, Vinmec Hai Phong Hospital today.

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