Impetigo

Question 1

what is impetigo?

Answer 1

superficial bacterial skin infection usually caused by either staph aureus or strep pyogenes

Question 2

what is the aetiology of impetigo?

Answer 2

• children
• common in warm weather

Question 3

where does impetigo present?

Answer 3

commonly on face, flexures and limbs not covered by clothing

Question 4

how does impetigo spread?

Answer 4

• direct contact with discharges from the scab of an infected person
• incubation period = 4-10 days

Question 5

what are the features of impetigo?

Answer 5

• ‘golden’, crusted skin lesions typically found around the mouth
• very contagious

Question 6

what is the management of limited, localised impetigo?

Answer 6

1. hydrogen peroxide 1% cream
2. topical antibiotics creams - e.g. topical fusidic acid or mupirocin

Question 7

what is the management of extensive impetigo?

Answer 7

1. oral flucloxacillin
2. penicillin-allergic = oral erythromycin

Question 8

what is the school exclusion rules in children with impetigo?

Answer 8

children should be excluded from school until the lesions are crusted and healed or 48 hours after commenching antibiotic treatment