2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43
Causes and treatment of impetigo in a child
In a child, impetigo has several characteristic features, one of which is the high rate of spread of an infectious disease in children's groups.
Impetigo refers to skin diseases and is associated with the appearance of characteristic red spots on the face, which are quite painful, scabs form in their place over time. Despite the widespread prevalence of pathology, the disease can be prevented and cured without much difficulty.
At the initial stage of the disease, red spots appear on the child's skin, rather painful, then superficial vesicles with purulent contents form in their place, then, after opening the vesicles, scabs similar to crusts appear. Most often, the pathological process is localized in the area of the mouth and nose, limbs can also be affected.
Causes of impetigo in a child
There are several types of impetigo in a child. The most contagious is contagious impetigo, the causative agent of which are streptococci. When combing, self-infection occurs, and the inflammatory process quickly spreads to healthy areas of the skin, which is why this disease is rather difficult to treat. At the initial stage of the disease, bubbles form in the place of itchy areas of reddened skin during the day, which then dry out or burst, leaving red spots in place of the pathological process. There are no traces on the skin after the disease. Residual redness usually disappears within a few weeks.
Staphylococci become the cause of bullous impetigo in a child. Most often, this type of disease affects children under two years of age. It is accompanied by the appearance of bubbles with purulent contents on the legs, arms and trunk. The pustules that appear do not cause pain. When the vesicles are opened, a yellowish crust forms at the site of inflammation, which quickly disappears with appropriate therapy. Unfortunately, bullous impetigo in a child is treated much longer than contagious.
The most severe form of impetigo in a child is ecthyma, in this case, the pathological process affects the deeper layers of the skin - the dermis. The disease refers to deeply penetrating ulcerative lesions of the skin. Ecthyma proceeds with the formation of deep, crusty ulcers, the appearance of which is accompanied by pain. The pathological process is localized in most cases on the legs. After therapy and healing at the site of inflammation, patients may remain scars and scars.
In a child, impetigo develops due to the penetration of pathogens (staphylococci and streptococci) into the body after cuts, insect bites, and other mechanical damage to the skin. It should be noted that these microorganisms are present on the surface of healthy skin and do not pose a danger, provided the integrity of its protective integuments.
Further spread of infection can occur in several ways: by combing, contact with a carrier of the infection, using clothing and care items belonging to a sick person, without preliminary treatment.
Some skin diseases, such as eczema, herpes, smallpox, scabies, etc., can be complicated by impetigo due to constant itching, which is a companion of pathological processes. As a result of scratching, mechanical damage to the skin can appear and favorable conditions for the penetration of bacteria.
Even healthy skin may not be able to cope with the function of protecting the body from the penetration of microorganisms if there was direct contact with a sick person. In this case, public places pose a danger to healthy children: school, transport, sauna, etc.
Prevention of impetigo in children's groups can be thorough hygiene, treatment of the wound surface in case of skin damage (cuts and scratches). All types of irritations and rashes on the child's skin need to be cleaned and treated, since they can serve as a favorable environment for the spread of impetigo pathogens.
Treatment of impetigo in a child
Most often, an infectious disease does not cause complications and is successfully treated on an outpatient basis. Standard recommendations: fencing of areas of inflammation from contact with water, treatment of pathological foci with antiseptics, application of ointment antibacterial dressings. Alcohols containing salicylic acid or camphor can be used as disinfectants in the treatment of impetigo in a child.
The newly formed bubbles are opened immediately and treated with brilliant green or antibacterial ointment. The procedure is repeated within a week or for ten days at least three to four times a day. Treatment is stopped after the complete disappearance of the conflict. Bandaging is not recommended. As a preventive procedure, the lesions are treated with alcohol solutions to prevent relapses.
In severe cases, children are prescribed antibiotics. For the period of treatment, it is necessary to protect the child from communication with other children and observe the rules of personal hygiene, excluding washing the affected skin. If all the doctor's recommendations are followed and the appropriate procedures are carried out, the prognosis is favorable. The neglected form of the disease can cause the appearance of new conflicts and contribute to the development of complications in the form of nephritis, myocarditis and other inflammatory diseases of internal organs.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
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