Impetigo refers to the medical condition in which the skin is afflicted with pus-filled lesions resembling pimples accompanied by a nasty itch. These lesions are usually surrounded by red skin and they erupt after 5 to 6 days, leaving behind a thick crust. Affecting the face and hands, it is highly contagious and very common amongst children. Impetigo is caused by two types of bacteria - group A streptococcus and staphylococcus aureus bacteria and is more common in the summer months. People with poison ivy allergy, insect bites or other skin conditions are more prone to this condition. In order to prevent impetigo, you must stick to a strict hygiene routine especially since impetigo is highly contagious. Since children are most often afflicted by impetigo, it is important to ensure that they wash properly after coming from school or the playground. Children with a runny nose are more susceptible to impetigo since they constantly keep rubbing their nose and the bacteria get transferred from the nose to their hands leading to skin infections. You should take care to treat a runny nose fast and also ensure that the child's skin stays well moisturized and does not chap and crack, increasing susceptibility to infections.
If somebody in the house has any other skin condition the person should avoid scratching since that can lead to impetigo and you should quarantine that person's clothing, linen's and towels. You should treat any kind of skin scrape or cut or any skin allergy immediately by applying the requisite ointments and taking care not to aggravate the condition. It is of course extremely important to keep the person's skin clean by washing regularly with an anti-bacterial soap and keeping the skin dry to prevent growth of bacteria. If you already have impetigo, you should take extreme care not to burst the blisters. Hygiene is of supreme importance so you should keep the affected area clean and dry. Once the blisters have appeared you should wash the area gently with cold water and cover the area with some gauze to avoid scratching and bursting the blisters. Since heat can increase the irritation and itching, it is advisable to stay in a cool, shaded environment to prevent aggravation of the condition. Quarantining the infected person is crucial since contact with the person or even the person's clothes can spread the infection. You should separate the infected person's clothes and linen and wash them in an antiseptic liquid. It is also important that the person applying the antibiotic ointments to heal the blisters should wear gloves and wash his hands properly afterwards.
answered by G R