If the body's immunity is weak, it is likely that your child will be susceptible to skin diseases. One of the diseases is impetigo. Impetigo is a contagious skin infection that usually affects infants and children. This infection is characterized by the appearance of red patches and blisters on the skin, especially on the face, hands and feet.
Impetigo is not a serious condition, but the spread of this disease is very easy. Impetigo in children is prone to occur when their skin is already irritated by other problems. These include eczema, poison ivy, insect bites, cuts and scrapes.
Recognizing Impetigo in children
Impetigo or skin infection occurs in children aged 2-5 years, but can also occur in infants to adults. Impetigo can affect healthy skin (primary impetigo) or be triggered by pre-existing skin problems (secondary impetigo) such as eczema/atopic dermatitis. Transmission of impetigo can occur through direct contact or sharing items with the patient.
The origin of the word "impetigo" is Latin, from the word "impetere," which means "to strike" or "to ambush." The term is used to describe a contagious skin disease that often appears suddenly and can strike a person quickly. It was first described in medical literature by the ancient Greek medical expert Hippocrates.
Causes of Impetigo in Children
The main cause of impetigo in children is a bacterial infection. The bacteria that cause impetigo thrive in hot and humid conditions. This is why impetigo can occur in Indonesia all the time. And, it is certainly different from other countries that have four seasons.
In addition to bacterial infections, some of these factors can also increase a person's exposure to impetigo including:
- Age factor where impetigo often occurs in children aged 2.5 years old
- Impetigo is more common in people who live in tropical climates like Indonesia.
- Someone who has a history of skin problems such as scabies infection that damages the skin is at higher risk of impetigo
- Doing activities in close proximity and direct contact with impetigo sufferers thus facilitating transmission through crowds.
Symptoms of Impetigo
Unfortunately, the symptoms of impetigo do not appear immediately after the patient is infected. In general, impetigo symptoms appear 4-10 days after the patient is first exposed to the bacteria. While impetigo complaints themselves vary in each person depending on the type of impetigo experienced. Here are the symptoms of impetigo based on its type:
Crustose impetigo symptoms
Crustose impetigo is the most common type of impetigo experienced by children. This type of impetigo is one that is very easily transmitted to others. The symptoms of crustal impetigo include the appearance of reddish patches accompanied by itching in the mouth and nose but not pain. Wounds on the patches on the skin due to scratching, to irritation of the skin around the wound.
Bullous impetigo symptoms
Unlike crustose impetigo, this type of impetigo is more serious. Symptoms of bullous impetigo include fever, sometimes a lump appears around the neck due to swollen lymph nodes, blisters filled with clear fluid on the skin. As well as pain and itching in the area of the blisters. If the blisters burst, they can spread and cause yellowish scabs that will disappear within a few days.
Complications of Impetigo
Impetigo is not a dangerous disease. Broken blisters will heal without causing scarring if the infection is mild. Even so, moms and dads should not ignore the condition. Because impetigo can cause some of the following complications:
Scarring
Blisters on the skin due to impetigo are very prone to rupture if scratched or exposed to friction. These impetigo blisters will not leave scars like smallpox blisters. However, if the impetigo wound is severe enough and does not get proper treatment, it will trigger the onset of scarring or keloids.
Ektima
Impetigo that does not receive proper treatment will worsen the impetigo wound and cause complications such as ectima. Ectima is a worse type of infection. Because ectima attacks the inner skin layer while impetigo only occurs on the outermost layer of skin.
Cellulitis
This complication also occurs in the tissue under the skin. Cellulitis is even more likely to spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream. When this happens, the infection can cause fever and body pain.
Kidney problems
Although cases are rare, impetigo can cause kidney problems. Types of kidney problems such as kidney failure and kidney damage are usually caused by streptococcus infection. This condition can cause inflammation that enters the bloodstream to the glomeruli.
Impetigo Treatment
When your little one experiences impetigo, moms and dads should not panic. Impetigo can be cured with antibiotic ointments or creams such as mupirocin if the infection is mild and has not spread too widely throughout the body.
It's easy, just apply the ointment or cream to the infected area. Before applying, you should clean the wound by soaking the wound with warm water or applying a compress first.
After the dry skin on the wound is removed, then apply the medicine. This is so that the medicine can absorb into the skin well. If you have done external treatment, but impetigo does not heal, maybe your child needs to take antibiotic medication.
Impetigo Prevention
Impetigo is a contagious skin disease, either spreading in some areas of the body itself or to other people. To prevent impetigo from spreading to others, you should avoid using items together or alternating with the patient. For example, clothes, towels or even other objects that are touched and contaminated.
Also avoid direct contact between skin and impetigo sufferers. Especially if the impetigo wound is still open and has not dried or been treated with antibiotics after 24-48 hours. In addition, make sure to always maintain body hygiene, treat wounds to diligently wash your hands. And make sure not to borrow other people's personal belongings.
Conclusion
Impetigo is a skin disease that occurs in children aged 2-5 years. Impetigo in children is not dangerous but should not be underestimated. Proper handling and preventive measures can prevent impetigo in children. Always keep clean, moms and dads!
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