Impetigo tends to be seasonal, and it usually peaks in the summer and the autumn in northern parts of the world. In warmer and more humid climates, impetigo can occur all year-round. In this article, you will find everything you need to know about this condition and how to get home GP treatment for impetigo in Manilva.
What is Impetigo?
Impetigo is quite a common and contagious skin infection. Bacteria such as Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria infect the skin’s outer layers known as the epidermis. The face, arms, and the legs are the most often affected.
Anyone can get impetigo, however, it typically affects children, particularly those between the ages of 2 to 5.
The infection typically starts with a minor cut, an insect bite, or a rash like eczema. This is anywhere on the skin where it is broken. However, impetigo can occur on healthy skin.
Known as “Primary” impetigo, it can infect healthy skin. “Secondary” impetigo can occur when the skin is broken. However, it’s not vital that the distinction is made.
Impetigo is quite an old disease. In fact, the name comes from the Latin word “Impetere” which means “To attack.”
The symptoms of Impetigo
One of the first signs of impetigo are sores on the skin that are slightly red. These are often clustered around lips and the nose. The sores can quickly grow into blisters. They often burst and can form a yellow crust. The clusters can expand to cover more of the skin. On occasion, the red spots can just develop a yellow crust without there being any blisters.
The sores can occasionally be painful and itchy. Once the crust phase has passed, red marks fade without them leaving any scars. Infants can experience a less common form of impetigo. They can leave large blisters around ski folds or the diaper area. The blisters are typically full of fluid and can burst, they can leave a rim that’s scaly known as a “Collarette”.
Impetigo can be quite uncomfortable. It can involve you having swollen glands around the outbreak area or a fever. Make sure you call our home GP to get treatment for impetigo in Manilva if you have any of the symptoms described.
Home GP Treatment for Impetigo in Manilva
Antibiotics are usually an effective treatment against impetigo. The type of antibiotic you are prescribed when getting our home GP treatment for impetigo in Manilva depends on how severe or widespread the blisters are.
If you have impetigo in a small area of your skin, you could be given topical antibiotics.
If your impetigo is widespread or severe your doctor might prescribe you oral antibiotics. Drugs such as these could work more quickly than some topical antibiotics. However, they are not necessarily better at clearing up the infection.
With treatment, impetigo can heal within 7 to 10 days. If you have an underlying skin disease or infection it might take longer to heal.
When to get home GP Treatment for Impetigo in Manilva
You can call our home GP service to get treatment for Impetigo in Manilva.
Call us if:
- You have a rash or some sores that have become uncomfortable
- You have sores that are pus-filled and have a dark brown crust. This is a form of skin infection that penetrates the skin. If it is left untreated, it can cause permanent changes and scarring to skin pigmentation.