home conditions impetigo

A highly contagious skin infection, common in children, also effecting young adults. Usually occurs around the nose and the mouth. This is one of the most common bacterial infections seen today. Caused by bacteria entering the skin through a broken area, like a cut, cold sore or an area effected by Eczema.

Impetigo is more common in warm weather. Impetigo was extremely common, but occurs less frequently now because of improved standards of personal hygiene. Small epidemics can occur in schools.

When Impetigo starts the skin reddens and a rapid development of small fluid filled blisters (vesicles) appear on the surface. These tend to quickly burst leaving moist weeping areas underneath. The fluid dries to form a honey coloured crust on the skin. The effected area may spread from the edges or another patch may develop nearby. Sometimes swelling of the lymph nodes local to the infection can happen.

There can be complications with Impetigo but this is rare. To prevent transmission of the infection, pillowcases, towels and face-cloths should not be shared and boiled after each use. Children should not touch affected skin and should stay away from school until the infection clears.

Traditional Chinese names translate as "Wet spreading sore" and "Yellow-fluid sore".

The treatment offered with Chinese Herbal Medicine can be extremely effective in the treatment of this disease.

Biomedical treatment is with the use of topical and oral antibiotics.

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