Impetigo: Signs and Symptoms

If you or your child (especially if your child is between the ages of two and six) suddendly develop lesions on your skin, don't ignore it. Patches of blisters on the skin may be a symptom of impetigo, which normally begins with an open wound or a small cut that becomes infected by bacteria. Although it most commonly afflicts children, especially those who are involved in contact sports, adults can also become victims of this disease.

Impetigo (or school sores) often develops somewhere on the face, near the mouth or nose area, or behind the ears. Sometimes, school sores can also be found in the knee area or on the forearms. In babies, school sores can sometimes be found in the diaper area, where rashes often develop.

Impetigo begins due to infection by one of two kinds of bacteria.

The first kind of bacteria that causes this skin disease is streptococcus, which brings about small blisters that continue to develop and become small patches of reddish skin. After some time, a brown crust will grow over this area. The crust may sometimes look moist, as if there was a thin layer of honey over the skin. In some cases, the sufferer may also experience swollen lymph nodes together with the sores.

The other kind of bacteria, which is usually less common, is staphylococcus. Blisters caused by staphylococcus are much larger and contain some fluid. These blisters can stay on your skin for longer periods as compared to the smaller, unfilled kind. The blisters could even leave permanent scars long after they are gone.

At times, the lesions are also filled with pus, which could be released after several days. This skin disease may sometimes be mistaken for eczema or pimples due to its appearance. However, impetigo comes mainly from those areas with pre-existing open wounds. Even insect bites or cold sores that become irritated could worsen into this disease if you constantly scratch them.

Impetigo may be accompanied by fever, a general feeling of weakness, and even diarrhea.

Remember that the signs and symptoms of impetigo may not be immediately apparent after you have been infected. It may take anywhere from four to ten days for small patches to appear and, if not treated immediately, spread throughout your body.

It is crucial that this disease be treated at once. Very severe cases have been recorded where the bacteria enters the bloodstream and causes terrible effects. Impetigo has also been known to cause damage to the kidneys and, on very rare occasions, has also proven to be harmful to the bones and joints.