What are the two types of impetigo?
In fact, impetigo not only affects the patient's appearance but also has a certain impact on their psychology, causing serious harm to the patient's physical health. Everyone should pay attention to impetigo and actively prevent it. In fact, there are two types of impetigo that many people are unaware of. Let me explain in detail for you next. What are the two types of impetigo?
1. Ecthyma is caused by hemolytic streptococci or mixed infections with Staphylococcus aureus. It is characterized by thin-walled vesicles forming on the basis of erythema, which quickly turn into pustules with a distinct red halo around them. After the pustules break, their exudate dries to form a honey-yellow thick scab, which continuously expands and merges with adjacent skin lesions. This type of impetigo easily occurs on the face, especially around the nostrils, mouth, and auricles, and can also occur on the limbs. Due to the obvious itchiness, scratching often leads to bacterial inoculation in other areas, resulting in new skin rashes.
2. Bullous impetigo is caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This disease develops rapidly, starting as scattered small vesicles that quickly enlarge and suppurate, becoming pustules or purulent bullae. The vesicle wall is relatively loose and appears wrinkled. The pus inside often settles at the bottom or lower half, forming a crescent shape. The vesicle wall is very thin and easily ruptures to discharge pus, exposing an eroded surface that dries to form a yellow scab. Sometimes, pus under the scab spills over to the surrounding area, causing new pustules and vesicles to form in a ring or arc shape, also known as annular impetigo. It is more prone to occur on exposed areas such as the head, face, and limbs, with conscious itchiness and generally no systemic symptoms. This type mostly occurs in children aged 2 to 8 years, commonly on exposed areas such as the limbs, head, and face, and can also spread to the whole body. It starts as erythema or vesicles, quickly turning into pustules ranging from rice grain to soybean size, with a red halo around them. The pustule wall is loose, and the pus inside settles at the bottom, with clear fluid at the top, forming a crescent shape. After the vesicle membrane ruptures, it exposes an eroded surface that dries to form a honey-yellow scab. Due to the conscious itchiness, scratching easily leads to self-infection and spread to surrounding areas. Old scabs naturally fall off and heal within about 6 to 10 days without leaving scars. Vesicles appear on the basis of erythema and quickly turn into pustules with thicker pus and a distinct inflammatory red halo around them. After drying, they form a honey-yellow thick scab, which falls off and heals within about a week without leaving scars.
What are the two types of impetigo? If a child has impetigo, parents should not panic excessively. When dealing with a child with impetigo, it is important to ensure proper isolation. The child should not go to kindergarten or nursery to prevent transmission to other children. The towels, clothing, and bedding used by the child should also be boiled for sterilization. Seek timely treatment at a formal hospital to prevent the condition from worsening.
