Impetigo



Impetigo





Description



  • Contagious, superficial bacterial skin infection


  • Nonbullous and bullous forms


  • May complicate chickenpox, eczema, and other skin disorders marked by open lesions


  • Most commonly appears on face, arms, and legs


Pathophysiology


Nonbullous impetigo



  • Eruption occurs when bacteria inoculate traumatized skin cells.


  • Lesions begin as small vesicles, which rapidly erode.


  • Honey-colored crusts are surrounded by erythema.


Bullous impetigo



  • Eruption occurs in nontraumatized skin via bacterial toxin or exotoxin.



  • Lesions begin as thin-walled bullae and vesicles.


  • Lesions contain clear to turbid yellow fluid; some crusting exists. (See Recognizing impetigo.)


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Jul 20, 2016 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Impetigo

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