Infatigo (Impetigo) : Causes, Symtom, Home Remedies

Infatigo (Impetigo) normally occurs in children of two to four years of age. However, anyone can be affected. In the upcoming article, you will get to know the detailed information about this.

Infantigo should be known as Impetigo. Due to corruption in spelling, it is known as infantigo. It is basically a skin disease caused by staphylococcus aureus or streptococcus pyogenic bacteria.

Children of age two to four years mostly face it. It can also be occurred to adults but rarely. It is a serious disease but it lasts for a couple of weeks and then it is corrected.

How Does Infatigo Look Like?

Small red bumps -> cloudy blisters -> pimples -> sores -> yellowish liquid -> golden crusty stag.

The above figure completely explains how infantigo looks like with time.

• Initially, it looks like small red bumps on the skin.
• Then these small red bumps change into cloudy blisters.
• These cloudy blisters take the form of pimples.
• Which later transform into sores.
• These sores then ooze out a yellowish liquid which can be converted into pus if not handled with care.
• Then these marks leave a golden crusty stag over the face which disappears with time.

Types Of Infatigo

It is caused by two different types of bacteria. So, it is mainly of two types:

1. Non-Bullous Infantigo

This is the most common Infantigo. This is the one which mostly occurs to people. The symptoms of this type of infantigo are crusty and fast bursting sores.

2. Bullous Infantigo

This is the rare one. In this type of disease fluid filled blisters occur and it is painless.

Symptoms Of Infantigo

It can occur to any part of the skin but it mostly occurs on the skin of the mouth.

Symptoms that are common to both types of Infantigo are:

• Itchiness
• Red sores
• Blisters
• Rash
• Fever
• Swollen glands

Symptoms that are different in both types:

1. Non-Bullous Infantigo

The Symptoms Of This One Are

• Red sores around the mouth and nose. Can also appear on the arms or legs.
• Then they burst and will form a crust of golden colour.
• Then crust gets dry and it will leave a red mark that will be gone with time.
• This infection is not painful although it can cause itchiness in the skin but the skin must not be scratched.

2. Bullous Infantigo

The Symptoms Of This Type Are

• This infection starts with blisters filled with the fluid and it appears mostly on legs and arms.
• After some days, these blisters ooze out giving a yellow coloured liquid.

Causes Of Infantigo

However the main reason for the infection of infantigo is the bacteria but there are many other factors too which can increase the reason for getting infected.

Some of them are:

• If you have any cuts or scratches on your body then this can lead to easy infection.
• Allergy on the skin can also be the reason for this.
• Physical contact with someone who is infected with infantigo can cause infantigo to you as well.
• If you share contaminated clothes, utensils.

How Does It Spread?

It spreads very easily. It is very contagious. The sores that are formed on the skin when you are infected by infantigo then these sores are full a lot of bacteria. So, this bacteria can spread if you scratch your skin.

By scratching, it can be transferred to other portions of the body. It can also spread to other persons if they touch you or touch anything that is touched by you. The most important thing is it takes almost 7-10 days to you to get to know that you are infected from this bacteria and in these days you make others get infected also.

It spreads a lot so, to prevent the spreading infected person proper care should be taken by both, those who are infected and those and those who live near the infected persons.

What Can Be Done To Minimize The Spread?

Infantigo is highly contagious. It spreads very easily. So, you need to minimize the spread which can be done by doing these small things.

1.If You Are A Child Then Follow These Following Steps

• Don’t go school in this period as other children can also be infected by you.
• Don’t touch other children while playing or doing something else.
• Ask your elders to wash your clothes daily and separately.

2.If You Are An Adult Then Follow The Following Steps

• You must cancel all your work. You must not visit at any public place.
• Take leave from your office.
• Avoid contact with other persons.

How To Prevent Impetigo

• Wash the infected area with neutral soap and water from time to time.
• Keep the area covered with some light cover.
• Do not touch the sores and also don’t let anyone else to touch it.
• Clothes, towels and other items of the infected person should be washed daily and properly.
• Cut your nails to prevent you from the urge of scratching.
• Be away from a public place.

Why Is It More Common to Children Than Adults?

This highly contagious disease is more common to children than adults. This is because their immune system is not developed properly to fight these bacteria and it is very easy for a disease to spread in children.

If a child gets infected then he/she will obviously touch other children in the school or home while playing or something else. Adults can take of themselves but it is difficult for children to be taken care.

As they can’t take care of themselves. They need to be observed at every moment of time. This is the reason why is it more common to children than adults.

Extreme Form Of Infantigo

When infantigo increases and reaches its extreme form then it is called Ecthyma.

This happens when it is not treated well and it reaches deep in the skin. It is also known as “deep Infantgo”. It should be taken care properly so that it does not reach to this level. Proper medical treatment should be taken as soon as you notice it. If it reaches to this much level then permanent scarring can be caused by these sores.

Diagnosis

It is not difficult for the doctors to diagnose the infection. He will ask you for any scars or cuts on the skin. He will check various parts of a body.

 He Can Also Need Further Tests it

• It has spread to various parts of your skin.
• If you are not recovering from the present situation.
• If you are getting infected again and again.

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Infantigo

1.White Vinegar

For healing the sores, it is needed to keep the infected area clean and this can be done by the antibiotic wash with the antibiotic solution which can be prepared at home.

Ingredients

• Distilled vinegar – 1 tablespoon
• Lukewarm water – 2 cups
• Cotton balls

Procedure to be followed:

• Add 1 tablespoon of distilled vinegar in the lukewarm water.
• Mix them well.
• Use the cotton ball to clean the infected area with this solution.
• Let it dry and cover it with gauge lightly.

Note: you must not scrub the infected portion while cleaning as this can lead to irritation in the skin.

2.Heat Therapy

Heat therapy is really helpful in treating it as heat kill the bacteria and it also dries the sores.

Ingredients

• Warm water
• Clean cloth

Procedure To Be Followed

• Dip the cloth in the water.
• Remove the excess of water from the cloth.
• Apply this cloth over the infected area for few minutes.
• Repeat this again and again.

Note: A blow drier can also be used.

3.Tea Tree Oil

It has strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties which can halt the spread of this infection,

Ingredients

• Tea tree oil – few drops
• Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
• Lukewarm water

Procedure To Be Followed

• Mix few drops of tea tree oil in 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• Apply this mixture over the infected area.
• Wait for 20-30 minutes.
• Then clean it with warm water.
• Do this 3 to 4 times everyday.

4.Grape Seed Extract

Due to its antibacterial properties, it is used for the treatment of infantigo.

Ingredients

• Grape seed extract
• Water – 2 tablespoons
• Cotton balls

Procedure To Be Followed

• Add some drops of grape seed extract in 2 tablespoons of water.
• Use a cotton ball to apply it over the infected area.
• It can lead to itching initially but will cure for sure.

4.Garlic

It has natural antibiotic properties due to which it is used for curing infantigo.

Ingredients

• Sesame oil – 2 tablespoons
• garlic cloves – 2 to 3

Procedure To Be Followed

• Warm sesame oil and fry garlic cloves in it.
• Cool it and strain the oil.
• Apply it over the infected area.

5.Manuka Homey

Manuka honey can also be very helpful due to its antiseptic, antibacterial and healing properties. It boosts your immunity, heals the sores and inhibits the bacteria which causes these infections.

Ingredients

• Manuka honey
• Luke warm water

Procedure To Be Followed

• Apply this honey on the infected area and keep it for some time and then wash it with lukewarm water.
• Or you can take 2 spoons of manuka honey daily.

6.Goldenseal

Goldenseal herb possesses antibacterial properties that are very helpful for the treatment of infantigo.

Ingredients

• Goldenseal powder – 1 teaspoon
• Hot water – 1cup

Procedure To Be Followed

• Mix one teaspoon of goldenseal powder in 1 cup of hot water. Apply the mixture over the infected area to clean it.
• You can also apply goldenseal lotion or cream over the area 2 to 3 times a day which is easily available in the market.

7.Aloe vera

Aloe vera has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and skin repairing properties. It can also boost your immunity as well.

• Take the leaf of aloe vera and extract the gel out of it. Apply this gel over the area 2 to 3 times a day.
• You can also drink aloe vera juice to boost your immunity.

8.Zinc

Zinc also possess antibacterial and antiseptic properties and strong your immunity.

• Take zinc rich foods such as grains, nuts, beans etc.
• You can also take a supplement of zinc of 20 to 25 mg but take only after consulting the doctor.
• Healthy diet

Take a healthy diet that boosts up your immunity and helps you recover fast.

Medical Treatments Of Infantigo

Treatment for infantigo is needed to be done as early as possible. To heal the infections various antibiotics are given by the doctor which are:

1.Topical Antibiotics

These are the antibiotics that are applied directly to the skin. Mupirocin Ointment can be prescribed by the doctor.

You should use the antibiotic by taking care of the following measures and by following these steps:

• Wash the infected area with warm and soapy water to remove the scabs from the infected part properly.
• Apply the ointment over the skin using latex gloves so that your hands must not catch the bacteria.
• After applying, you must wash your hands properly.

2.Oral Antibiotics

If infantigo is more widespread or the infected person is not recovering from the condition then oral antibiotics are prescribed by the doctors. These are direct swallowed from the mouth.

The type of antibiotics that doctor prescribes depends on various other factors too like the medical condition of the patients or the allergies they are having.

You have to take a course of 7 days of antibiotics and you must complete it even if all the symptoms for this are gone.

Side-Effects Of Antibiotics

Antibiotics have some side-effects as well which are gone with time you complete your course.

Those symptoms are:

• Stomachache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Complications Of Infantigo

Although complications in infantigo are rare but there are chances for this and this can lead to a serious problem. So, if you notice any of these symptoms then you must discuss this with the doctors.

1. Cellulitis

If the infection gets deeper into the skin then this can lead to cellulitis.

Symptoms

• Fever
• Pain
• Red and inflamed skin.

2. Guttate Psoriasis

It is a type of throat infection and it can be caused due to infantigo which is not a good sign.

Symptoms

Red patches of inflamed skin over the body.

3. Scarlett Fever

Infantigo cam also causes this scarlet fever along with nausea, vomiting, and pain.

Symptoms

Pink rashes on the body.

Important Facts About Infantigo

• If medical treatment is not taken then it is cured in 20-22 days by itself.
• If proper medical treatment is taken then it lasts not more than 10 days.
• After taking antibiotics, it is no more contagious after 24 hours.

Prevention Of Infatigo

Good and healthy hygiene is the only way to prevent yourself from this infection. You should take care of the following things:

• Wash hands regularly.
• Bath regularly.
• Clean and cover if any injury is there on your body.

Final Talk

Infantigo is a serious disease but there is not any way to prevent it. You just can take preventions but bacteria can attack anytime so be careful, follow prevention measures.

If you are attacked by this then prevent it from getting worse and also try to be away from everyone so that no one gets this from you because they don’t know that you are suffering from a contagious disease, it is you who need to take care.