Impetigo is a superficial skin infection caused by bacteria.
The bacteria most frequently involved are Streptococcus pyogenes (70% cases), Staphylococcus aureus (15% cases) or both (15% cases). They usually appear on skin areas that have suffered minimal trauma (insect bites, superficial wounds, chickenpox lesions).
It manifests with small red bumps that rapidly evolve into thin-walled vesicles with a reddish base, rapidly rupture and form yellowish honey-colored crusts. The lesions usually spread because the child scratches and touches other areas of the body where satellite lesions also appear (autoinoculation). It is not usually accompanied by fever or other symptoms.
Diagnosis is based on the clinical appearance of the lesions.
Treatment includes: good general hygiene, nail trimming to avoid spreading the lesions and topical or oral antibiotic treatment depending on the extent.
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