B.,
Impetigo is a bacterial infection of the skin caused by streptococci or staphylococci and marked by yellow to red weeping and crusted or pustular lesions especially around the nose, mouth and cheeks or on the extremities. The disease is common in children and adults and may develop after trauma or irritation to the skin. For the treatment you topically applied mupirocin ointment or oral agents such as dicloxacillin or cephalexin provide effective therapy. For the patient care, the appearance, location and sitribution of lesions are documented aong with any associated symptoms (pruritus, pain). Family members are taught to keep the skin clean and dry, removing exudate 2 to 3 times daily by washing the lesions with soap and water; warm saline soaks or compresses may be applied to remove stubborn crusts. Patients and families are taught the importance of not sharing washcloths, towels or bed linens, the need for thorough handwashing and the urgency for early treatment of any purulent eruption to limit spread to others. Non-prescription antihistamines may be used to reduce itching. The fingernails should be cut and if necessary mittme s applied to prevent further injury if the patient is unable to avoid scratching. Diversional activities appropriate to the patient's developmental stage are encourage to distract from local discomforts. The school nurse of employers is notified of the infection and family members are checked for evidence of impetigo. The patient can return to school or work when all lesions have healed.
I hope this helps.
Sue