Impetigo is a common bacterial skin infection of the upper layers of the skin. Caused by Staphylococcus aureus (the most common staph infection) and Streptococcus pyogenes (the same bacteria that causes strep throat), it is a highly contagious disease, but is most common among children from 2-6 years of age. People who play close contact sports such as football and rugby are also susceptible, regardless of age.
Nasal impetigo refers to acquiring impetigo through the nasal passage. A lot of times people will get the Staphylococcus bacteria inside their nose without knowing because it does not cause an infection inside the nose. Direct contact with infected nasal fluid can in turn infect other body parts. Other common factors that can cause nasal impetigo include a warm and humid environment, poor hygiene, overcrowding, and traumatized skin such as cuts and insect bites.
There are two types of impetigo: Non-bullous and bullous. Non-bullous impetigo is more common, causing about 70% of all impetigo infections. It occurs mainly on the face or limbs and appears to have a thick "honey-colored" crust. Bullous impetigo occurs mainly with newborns and young children, and forms blisters primarily on the face, hands, and buttocks. Both types of impetigo, fortunately, heal without scarring.
Symptoms of nasal impetigo include one or more pimple-like lesions surrounded by reddened skin. Be careful, though, because is often confused with several other skin conditions, so it is good to get certain tests to make the diagnosis. The most common diagnostic tests performed are getting a gram stain or bacterial culture by swabbing the base of a lesion with a cotton swab.
Treatment of non-bullous impetigo is done with a topical antibiotic that is usually prescribed, and, is applied to the lesion four times a day until it is gone for three days. Both forms of impetigo are treated with oral antibiotics, but, another way to treat it is to wash your hands with soap and water and let the impetigo dry in the air. Penicillin and amoxicillin are not good antibiotics to use because of increasing resistance rates. It is also very important to remove the crusts before applying ointment, because the bacteria that cause the disease live underneath them.
Prevention of impetigo includes frequently washing areas of skin of minor trauma with soap and water and simply staying away from overcrowded areas and living conditions. People with reoccurring impetigo should have their nose cultured to find out if they are carriers of nasal impetigo and Staphylococcus aureus.
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