what is infantiego? How do you get it?

Question

some kind of sores on the body.

Answer 1

What is impetigo?

Impetigo (pronounced im-puh-TIE-go) is a common infection of the surface of the skin. Impetigo is usually caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus ("staph") or Streptococcus ("strep"). Because this condition is more common in children, some people mistakenly call it "infantigo."

Is impetigo contagious?

Yes, it is highly contagious. Children in close physical contact with each other tend to spread the condition although adult skin is more resistant. Trauma to the skin, such as a cut or scrape, seems to play a role in allowing bacteria that have been living harmlessly on the skin to establish a foothold and cause infection. Clothing and towels seem to be less important factors in causing the spread of this condition.

What does impetigo look like?

Impetigo has two general forms: ordinary impetigo and bullous impetigo.
Ordinary impetigo is scabby and pustular (little pimples full of pus) in appearance and is generally caused by strep germs. It starts as a small blister or pustule that ruptures and leaves a reddish base which is then covered by a honey-colored crust. In children, this condition often begins on the skin near the nose, though it may spread. Ordinary impetigo is also known as impetigo vulgaris and streptococcal impetigo.

Bullous impetigo produces large, fragile blisters and is caused mostly by staph germs. It also often affects the face, but may appear elsewhere. The blisters it forms have very thin walls that collapse, leaving a bright red, inflamed, moist base. Bullous impetigo is also known as impetigo bullosa and staphylococcal impetigo.

How is impetigo diagnosed?

It is important to remember that not every oozing, crusty rash is necessarily infected. Especially in adults, this crusty rash may represent nothing more than the habit of picking at an otherwise innocuous pimple or bump.

How is impetigo treated?

Oral antibiotics that are given for 7 to 10 days will generally clear up impetigo. These antibiotics include derivatives of penicillin, erythromycin, and cephalexin.

A prescription strength topical antibiotic, such as mupirocin (Bactroban), is also very safe and effective. Its use often makes oral treatment unnecessary.

Over-the-counter topical antibiotics like bacitracin or Neosporin (which contains bacitracin) do not seem to be much more effective than applying petroleum jelly or nothing at all. When they do seem to work, it is often because the condition was not infected to begin with.

Conclusion

Regardless of how ugly impetigo may look, it only affects the top layer of the skin and therefore it does not leave permanent scars.

Answer 2

Infantigo (which is also known as impetigo) is a skin rash most common among kids age 2-6 years Skin infections and rashes are often caused by different streptococci strains than the strains that are associated with strep throat. Infantigo can also be caused by a Staphylococcus infection.
The most common method of treating infantigo is to use a prescribed topical or oral antibiotic. You may also be interested in trying some of the many home remedies for infantigo, including skin creams designed to ease the discomfort.

Answer 3

OHHH< those suck. Most commonly called, a cold sore. I use to get those all around the mouth and chin as a child. Now just a spot around the lip now and again. It was called impetigo, as I was growing up and got it everywhere. very contagious. A good home remedy would be at first sign, use your (own) ear wax. Don't wrinkle your nose, it works!!! Otherwise go buy that expensive stuff, that works to. Good luck

Answer 4

i am an alternative medicinal therapist and an ex nurse and i think you mean impetigo. It a bacterial infection and it's highly contagious, you get it by touch from an infected person. It is curable but kidney problems may develop due to the invasion of the bacteria.

Gloria(BSYA)

Answer 5

It's an extremely contagious skin rash...your Doc can give you a topical to get rid of it.