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Impetigo
Structure: Impetigo is caused by two types of bacteria, Staphylococcus Aureus and Streptococcus Pyogenes. These bacteria are both cocci shaped. These bacteria are round and oval shaped. Staphylococcus Aureus is a gram positive bacteria, which means that the cell wall of this bacteria consists of a very thick peptidoglycan layer. This bacteria has no flagella. Streptococcus pyogenes is also a gram-positive bacteria and live in chains of various lengths.
S. aureus
S. pyogenes
Symptoms: Impetigo causes many symptoms. It causes many blisters that are filled with pus and honey colored liquid. These blisters can pop easily. Once they are popped, red, raw, moist skin is exposed. Once this is scratched, it can spread easily. When it becomes slightly healed, a brown crusty covering covers the raw skin. In serious cases, it can become a more serious condition, ecthyma. Ecthyma forms pus-filled ulcers with a crust much darker and thicker than impetigo. Ecthyma can be very itchy, and scratching it can spread the infection quickly. When untreated, the ulcers may cause permanent scars.
Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection. It can appear anywhere on the body but usually attacks exposed areas. Children tend to get it on the face, especially around the nose and mouth, and sometimes on the arms or legs. The infected areas appear in patches ranging from dime to quarter size, starting as tiny blisters that break and expose moist, red skin.
Transmission: Impetigo is transmitted by direct contact with lesions. Any contact with a person's infected cuts will result in tranmission. It can also be acquired when you come in contact with the bacteria S. aureus and S. pyogenes. Scratching the infected areas also transmits the bacteria to other parts of the body.
Prevention: Impetigo can be prevented by having good hygiene. This means taking showers and bathing regularly. Also, if you have cuts, eczema, rashes, and other open wounds, you are more prone to acquiring Impetigo. These openings should be protected. This also includes washing your hands as much as possible. You can also prevent Impetigo by not coming in contact with other infected persons.
Treatment: Impetigo is treated with antiboiotics. These antibiotics are usually in a form of cream or topical ointment. If the version of Impetigo is mild, usually bacterial ointment will be prescribed. If the impetigo is extreme, antibiotic pills will be prescribed. It will usually take three days to be treated.
![473px-Staphylococcus_aureus%2C_50%2C000x%2C_USDA%2C_ARS%2C_EMU[1]](http://im.glogster.com/media/1/6/56/61/6566181.jpg "473px-Staphylococcus_aureus%2C_50%2C000x%2C_USDA%2C_ARS%2C_EMU[1]")
![240px-Streptococcus_pyogenes_01[1]](http://im.glogster.com/media/1/6/56/62/6566213.jpg "240px-Streptococcus_pyogenes_01[1]")
