Definition
Impetigo portrays a common contagious skin infection, also known as pyoderma; Impetigo can involve any anatomical site, although it occurs mainly on the legs, arms and face. Furthermore, it is observed that impetigo mainly affects children rather than adults.
Causes
Impetigo is a bacterial infection caused by gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus And Streptococcus piogene; the proliferation of bacteria is favored by crowding, poor hygiene and hot-humid climate (it is no coincidence that the disease tends to occur especially in summer).
Symptoms
The clinical symptom picture of impetigo is characterized by the formation of serous skin bubbles, erythema on the face (nose and chin) and at the navel level (in the infant), itching. Subsequently, the bubbles, initially serous, dull and turn into abrasions and yellowish crusts, which soon infect the surrounding areas.
- Complications: regional lymphadenopathy, kidney complications, itchy ulcer formation (ecthyma), permanent scar lesions
The information on Impetigo - Drugs to Treat Impetigo is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Impetigo - Impetigo Drugs.
Medicines
Impetigo requires immediate treatment, considering the risk of evolution of the disease into even serious complications; when the infection involves small areas of the skin, it is possible to treat the disease with topically applied drugs. If the patient suffering from impetigo does not notice any appreciable improvement following the local application of specific creams or sprays, it is recommended to start a systemic antibiotic therapy (oral administration). Antiseptics, to be applied locally, can assist the antibiotic therapy , since they soften skin lesions, scabs and exudate.
The following are the classes of drugs most used in the therapy against impetigo, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:
Topical antibiotics for the treatment of impetigo: before applying the antibiotic to the skin, it is recommended to thoroughly cleanse the area with mild detergents, and to dry the skin thoroughly.
- Retapamulin (eg.Altargo): it is an antibiotic formulated in the form of an ointment for the short-term treatment of bacterial infections, including impetigo. It is recommended to spread a layer of ointment on damaged skin, previously cleansed and dried, twice a day for 5 days. It is also recommended to cover the area with a sterile bandage.
- Fusidic acid (eg. Fucidin cream, Dermomycin cream, Fucidin ointment): apply the antibiotic product on the area affected by impetigo 3-4 times a day. The duration of therapy should not last for more than 10 days, considering the possibility of the drug to develop resistance.
- Mupirocin (eg. Bactroban cream or ointment Mupiskin ointment): to be used for the treatment of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus in the context of impetigo; the product is not indicated for the treatment of impetigo sustained by Pseudomonas. It is possible to apply a layer of antibiotic cream directly on the lesion caused by impetigo three times a day; the duration of therapy should not last beyond 10 days.
- Neomycin (eg Localyn cream, Idroco A / Neom ointment, Cicatrene powder): this drug is also used to treat impetigo in short-term treatment. It is recommended to apply the drug three times a day on the site affected by the infection. Neomycin can cause hypersensitization.
- Polymyxin B (Bacitr Polim FN ointment): apply the drug on the area affected by the infection, twice or more within 24 hours, unless otherwise indicated by the doctor.
- Silver sulfadiazine (eg Sofargen cream): indicated to treat burns infected in the "area of" impetigo. Also indicated for the treatment of bedsores. Apply the product to the skin once a day, every other day. Consult your doctor. The drug can cause allergic reactions, burning and skin rash.
- Metronidazole (eg. Rozex cream, skin emulsion or foam, Zidoval gel, Rosiced cream): the topical application of this drug for the treatment of impetigo lesions is rather unusual and bizarre: this drug is used in therapy both to break down the beating involved in the infection, both to reduce the odor originated by lesions from anaerobic microorganisms. Consult your doctor.
- Sulconazole (eg Exelderm): indicated to treat impetigo in case of ascertained or presumed fungal co-infection. It is recommended to apply a thin layer of cream directly on the injured skin, after having cleansed and dried the area. Do not apply more than one layer of cream per day Consult your doctor.
Systemic antibiotics for the treatment of impetigo
- Flucloxacillin (eg. Flucloxacillin GNT): for infections caused by bacteria sensitive to flucloxacillin, implicated in the manifestation of impetigo, it is recommended to take 1 tablet of 1 gram of drug, every 6-8 hours, preferably before a meal. doctor for more information.
- Loracarbef (eg. Lorabid): the drug is a second generation cephalosporin, indicated for the treatment of impetigo in children. For subjects aged between 6 months and 12 years, it is recommended to administer the drug orally at a dosage of 7.5 mg / kg every 12 hours, for one week. Do not exceed 400 mg within 24 hours. For children 13 years of age and older, the indicative dose is 200 mg, to be taken by mouth every 12 hours for 7 days.
- Cefadroxil (eg. Duricef): also this drug (first generation cephalosporin), like the previous one, is indicated for the treatment of impetigo in children. For infants aged 1 month or more, it is recommended to administer 30 mg / kg per day of active ingredient orally, possibly divided into two doses Do not exceed 2 grams per day.
Among the other antibiotic drugs with systemic action, used in therapy for the treatment of impetigo, we also mention erythromycin (macrolide: eg. Erythrocin, Erythro L, Lauromycin) and cefuroxime (cephalosporin: eg. Cefoprim, Tilexim , Zoref, Zinnat), the dosage of which must be established by the doctor.
Antiseptics for the treatment of impetigo lesions
- Iodopovidone (eg. Betadine cutaneous solution / skin spray): the drug is a disinfectant of the skin affected by wounds, lesions or sores: for this reason it is often used in therapy for impetigo as adjuvant antibiotic treatment. As an indication, apply the cutaneous solution (10%) 2 times a day on the lesion. The drug contains iodine: do not use in case of thyroid disorders. Do not prolong the therapy for too long, to avoid episodes of sensitization.
- Chlorhexidine gluconate (eg. Disinfene cream, Clorex G FN concentrated, Cetrifarm cutaneous solution): the drug is a synthetic disinfectant with a broad spectrum of action, therefore able to exert a good antiseptic activity against gram negative and gram positive pathogens, as well as that against fungi. The drug exerts its therapeutic activity by exaggeratedly increasing the membrane permeability of the pathogen cells, consequently their protein structure is heavily altered, causing the lysis of the bacteria or fungus. Particularly useful in cleansing injured skin and infects, even in the context of impetigo.
