Infectious Diseases Search
Infectious Diseases Infectious Diseases
impetigo%20-and-%20ecthyma
IMPETIGO & ECTHYMA
Treatment Guideline Chart
Impetigo is a very contagious, superficial, bacterial skin infection that easily spreads among people in close contact.
Most cases occur in children and resolve spontaneously without scarring in approximately 14 days.
Ecthyma is a deeply ulcerated form of impetigo that extends to the dermis.
It has "punched-out" ulcers with yellow crust and elevated violaceous margins.
Most cases occur in children and elderly.
It may be a de novo infection or superinfection.

Impetigo%20-and-%20ecthyma Patient Education

Patient Education

  • To prevent spread, patient should avoid contact with noninfected persons and avoid sharing of towels, sheets, etc
  • Child must not return to daycare or school until 24 hours after initiation of antibiotic treatment
  • Practice simple cleanliness eg washing hands after contact with lesions of infected persons
    • Daily bath with soap and water
  • Daily cleaning of the lesions with an antiseptic soap and water may prevent recurrence at distant sites
  • Advise the patient to keep fingernails short and to avoid scratching the lesions
  • Improve nutritional status and treat underlying conditions
  • Routine follow-up is not needed but patient should be advised to return if condition did not improve 7 days after starting therapy or sooner if condition worsened
Editor's Recommendations
Special Reports
MORE Special Reports arrow