User:Mr. Ibrahem/Impetigo

Impetigo is a bacterial infection that involves the superficial skin. It typically presents as yellowish crusts on reddened skin, most frequently of the face, arms, or legs. Less commonly there may be large blisters which affect the groin or armpits. The lesions may be painful or itchy. Fever is uncommon. Healing generally occurs without scarring.

Half of cases are typically due to Staphylococcus aureus, with or withoutStreptococcus pyogenes. Risk factors include attending day care, crowding, poor nutrition, diabetes mellitus, contact sports, and breaks in the skin such as from mosquito bites, eczema, scabies, or herpes. With contact it can spread around or between people. Diagnosis is typically based on the symptoms and appearance.

Prevention is by hand washing, avoiding people who are infected, and cleaning injuries. Treatment is typically with antibiotic creams, such as mupirocin 2% applied for 5-days. An alternative is fusidic acid cream. Antibiotics by mouth, such as cephalexin, may be used if large areas are affected. Antibiotic-resistant forms have been found.

Impetigo affected about 140 million people (2% of the world population) in 2010. It can occur at any age, but is most common in young children. Without treatment people typically get better within three weeks. Recurring infections can occur due to colonization of the nose by the bacteria. Complications may include cellulitis or poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. The name is from the Latin impetere meaning "attack".