Impetigo – What You Need to Know About the Condition Popularly Known as “Sweet Sores”

Skin can be considered an indicator of our overall health. When we face various internal conditions, it can show visible signs that indicate problems in the body. Also, the skin can be directly affected by various diseases that manifest in multiple forms, which can affect both adults and children.

In the case of children, it is essential to pay special attention to their skin health to prevent the appearance of marks that could become permanent. One of the common conditions in childhood is impetigo. Also known as “sweet sores,” it is difficult to confuse with other diseases due to its yellowish-brown rash appearance.

What is impetigo? Its medical definition classifies it as an epidermal or bacterial infection, meaning it can be transmitted. Although children are most prone to this condition, adults are not immune to risks either. In this article, we will explore when, how, and why “sweet sores” develop, as well as available treatment methods. Additionally, we will discuss some preventive measures to reduce the risk of this condition.

Impetigo – Affected Groups and Definition

Many people who have heard of “sweet sores” wonder what impetigo means, without initially realizing the connection between these two terms. The definition of this disease tells us that it is a bacterial skin infection. A specific characteristic is that it most often appears around the mouth and nose and has a yellowish-brown color. Most of the time, it is associated with a weakened immune system, which allows viruses and bacteria to cause various infections in the body. That is why it is important to take care of our immunity, with vitamin C being one of the best allies in this regard.

Vitamin C can be obtained from food, but also from supplements, such as Premium Aronia Vitamin C Forte. This way, it is easy to administer to both children and adults. In its pure form of L-ascorbic acid, this product is quickly and efficiently absorbed into the body, providing the necessary protection to support strong immunity. For added effectiveness, it is enriched with aronia juice and 12 other fruits, thus enhancing its antioxidant benefits.

The 1000 mg dose represents the necessary intake of vitamin C, so we do not need other supplements. Along with a proper diet, we will be able to enjoy a strong immune system, energy, and beautiful skin. Consumed regularly, it helps reduce the risk of bacterial infections, such as impetigo, in both children and adults.

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Impetigo in Children and Babies

Children, and sometimes babies, are most affected by impetigo. Why do “sweet sores” appear predominantly in this age group? Because they scratch themselves more easily, bacteria can enter these wounds faster, causing the disease.

Impetigo often appears in children between the ages of 2 and 5. Regarding the characteristics of this disease in young children, it is good to know the following:

• most often, it is caused by infection with Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes group A;
• it appears more frequently in summer;
• in most cases, it appears around the mouth and nose;
• boys are more frequently affected by impetigo.

Impetigo in children and babies can have different forms, but it usually looks like vesicles. The yellowish-brown color is what will make us think of this disease. It is very important to know that the condition is contagious, so adults can also get infected by children.

Impetigo in Adults

Although less common, impetigo can also affect adults. Most of the time, Staphylococcus aureus infection is what spreads most quickly, especially through direct contact. Often, the bacteria attack when there are other lesions on the skin, such as insect bites. Just as easily, we can suffer from this condition if we already have an acute or chronic dermatological disease.

In adults, impetigo can appear in an extensive cutaneous form, particularly affecting body areas such as hands and feet. It has also been observed that the disease more often affects people with weakened immunity. Therefore, paying attention to the immune system can protect us from impetigo.

What are the symptoms of impetigo? The appearance of characteristic colored vesicles are the first signs that help us realize we have a skin condition. This is not enough, as it can have multiple types. Besides this aspect, there are other causes for its onset.

Impetigo – Symptoms and Causes of the Disease

Impetigo is a contagious disease, so its main cause is contact with an infected person. Most often, it affects children in collective environments. When they get home, they can infect their parents too.

But when and how does impetigo appear, and what are its signs and symptoms? With the appearance of vesicles, we can experience various manifestations, including itching.

Impetigo Disease and Its Causes

The main cause of impetigo is a weakened immune system. Children are frequently affected, especially after the cold season when their immunity is low. This vulnerability can persist, making the condition more common during the summer.

Medically, impetigo can occur due to the following causes:

• skin fragility, especially in babies, who can get injured more easily and contract the disease;
• also at the skin level, scratches, cuts, and burns in older children and adults can favor bacterial infections;
• viral infections, such as herpes or diseases like chickenpox, can also cause lesions that can become superinfected with bacteria like staphylococci or streptococci;
• prolonged exposure to high humidity also favors the appearance of impetigo;
• respiratory diseases or allergies manifesting with runny nose and sneezing, and the use of tissues or handkerchiefs sensitize the skin, which can contribute to the appearance of impetigo.

In addition to these causes, there are also some aggravating factors in the spread of the disease.

External Factors That Can Trigger Impetigo

There are a few causes that are not necessarily related to bacterial infection that can lead to the appearance of impetigo in both children and adults. These are:

• participation in contact sports which, in the case of adults, can favor the onset of the disease through contact with people who may not know they have impetigo;
• poor hygiene can be another external triggering factor for the disease;
• conditions like diabetes can also cause impetigo, as wounds caused by this disease heal more slowly and become more vulnerable to infections;
• in babies, impetigo is often caused by diapers that irritate the groin area.

Therefore, when dealing with “sweet sores,” we must consider other triggering factors. But what are the symptoms of the disease, besides the appearance of spots on the skin? We can expect other signs, besides visible ones.

Impetigo – Signs and Symptoms

Before discussing the signs of impetigo, it is important to remember that they can vary from person to person. At the onset, the disease manifests as small vesicles around the nose and mouth, which quickly rupture. After onset, this condition can lead to other symptoms and complications:

• itching and even pain, depending on the type and severity of the disease;
• formation of pus inside the blisters;
• swollen lymph nodes in the neck;
• body impetigo will show signs of vesicles on the hands and feet as well;
• different sizes of vesicles, depending on the type of impetigo we suffer from;
• rarely, impetigo can also cause fever, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

Regardless of the form of the disease, however, the vesicles will have a yellowish-brown appearance.

Also, we need to know that impetigo has two types: non-bullous and bullous.

Non-bullous Impetigo

Non-bullous impetigo is the most common form of the disease, and it is also contagious. It is caused by infection with Staphylococcus aureus or group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Sometimes, the two infections can overlap.

Symptoms of non-bullous impetigo are:

• appearance of fluid or pus-filled vesicles, which rupture easily and result in brownish crusts;
• vesicle size of 1 – 2 cm;
• these then turn into red marks that may persist but leave no marks once healed.

The second form of impetigo is non-contagious.

Bullous Impetigo

This form of the disease is caused exclusively by Staphylococcus aureus infection. In most cases, it settles in the upper layer of the skin, which leads to blister formation. They are not painful but can cause itching. They are about 3 cm in size and are harder to break or rupture. Bullous impetigo is often encountered in babies up to 2 years old.

What do we do if we see the first signs of impetigo? The most important thing is isolation to avoid infecting other close people.

Impetigo – Treatment and Prevention

Because impetigo can cause complications, such as the spread of blisters to the nasal mucosa or pharynx, it is very important to see a doctor for diagnosis.

The diagnosis for sweet sores is made based on how the vesicles look. For this purpose, a small tissue sample or even fluid can be collected and subjected to a laboratory culture. This helps establish the causative pathogen. Based on the result, the treatment to be followed will be prescribed.

How to Treat Impetigo

Given the bacterial nature of the disease, impetigo often involves the administration of an antibiotic. This can be topical, to be applied to the skin, or oral, especially in the case of body impetigo, which can spread to the hands and feet. If it is associated with another skin condition, such as eczema, both health problems will be treated.

Since it is a contagious disease in most cases, isolation is recommended in the first few days. Thus, children will no longer attend daycare until symptoms improve. Once treatment has begun, we must also have a skin care routine that may include:

• patting the skin with soap and water to soften the crusts;
• washing hands correctly before handling topical antibiotics;
• applying a bandage to the affected areas to aid healing.

The infection resolves on its own in a few weeks, but it is recommended to treat it to avoid complications.

Preventing Impetigo

Diseases like impetigo can be prevented, as one of the causes of its appearance is a fragile immune system. Why is it good to take measures if it heals on its own? Because, being a skin condition, its signs are quite visible, which can affect our appearance. Besides this aspect, preventive methods are quite simple and include:

• an adequate lifestyle, based on a proper diet and sufficient sleep, especially for children;
• physical activity for adolescents and adults to strengthen the immune system;
• using vitamin C supplements.

In addition to these, skin hygiene is very important for maintaining health.

In conclusion, what is impetigo? It is one of the conditions popularly known as “sweet sores” and often caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal infections. Although children are most affected by the disease, it can also occur in adults, especially since the non-bullous form is contagious. Its signs involve, in the eruption phase, the appearance of fluid or pus-filled vesicles that rupture, leaving behind yellowish-brown spots. Even though it resolves on its own in a few weeks, it is advisable to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications. As the disease can be prevented, we can take some simple measures to help the immune system fight infections. Among these, a balanced lifestyle, a proper diet, and attention to skin care significantly contribute to maintaining general health.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4008061/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430974/

https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/965254-overview?form=fpf

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/impetigo

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