Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection commonly caused by staphylococcus aureus or group A streptococcus. Impetigo is spread from person to person by contact with an infected surface

Working in pediatrics one of the more common skin conditions I see in practice is impetigo. Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection commonly caused by staphylococcus aureus or group A streptococcus. Impetigo is spread from person to person by contact with an infected surface such as eating utensils, towels, sports equipment, etc. Signs and symptoms include lesions that commonly occur on the face and around the mouth and intense itching that can lead to further spread of the lesions. Treatment for impetigo generally includes topical antibiotics if the infection is caught early, however oral antibiotics can be used depending on the severity of the infection. Other treatments to manage the symptoms of impetigo include warm compresses and the use of antihistamine medications such as Benadryl and hydroxyzine (Nardi, 2022).
In my field of work, education is mainly focused on the parents. Education includes the causes of impetigo, the signs and symptoms, the treatment methods, and how to prevent it from occurring. Parents are educated on the importance of having their child finish the full dosing of antibiotics even if their symptoms go away. Parents are also educated on the importance of keeping their child’s hands and bodies clean as well as how to minimize the spread of the infection within the household if someone is to become infected. This includes things such as making sure everyone wears their own clothing, uses their own towels, and washes their hands with soap and water often. The last thing parents are educated to contact their provider if their child develops a fever or if the skin around their lesions shows signs of further infection (Cole, n.d.).
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