Bullous Impetigo Research Paper

420 Words1 Page

Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection. This condition is more frequently in young children but can also affect adults. There are two forms of impetigo non-bollous impetigo and bullous impetigo. Non-bollous impetigo is more commonly seen and is caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus bacterium entering the body through skin breaks. This will initially cause the formation of red papules – these could easily be mistaken as insect bites. Over the next several days the papules begin to form into vesicles, then pustules before crusting over. Generally the breakout will occur near the mouth and nose – due to the tendency of skin breakdown from nasal drainage however breakouts can also be seen on the arms and legs. The more atypical bullous impetigo is caused by the staphylococcus bacteria, they produce a toxin which breaks down the adhesion between the epidermal and dermis skin layers cause bullae. Bullae can appear on numerous areas of the body but especially on the trunk and buttock areas. …show more content…

Once diagnosed by a physician the patient is prescribed prescription strength topical antibiotics. In more severe widespread cases, seen in bullous impetigo require oral antibiotics. Occasionally impetigo infections are caused by drug resistant strains of staphylococcus (ex. Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA), fortunately this is easily confirmed with a culture at which point antibiotics clindamycin and trimethroprim are prescribed. While impetigo can reoccur it does not stay dormant in the body however once MRSA has entered the body it does stay in the body and often re-occurs several times during that person’s lifetime. Twenty four to forty eight hours after antibiotics have been started impetigo is no longer in its contagious state – MRSA caused impetigo however can still be spread until the sores have completely

More about Bullous Impetigo Research Paper

Open Document