‘Impetigo’, a skin disease caused by bacteria and more common in the summer months, is making some citizens nervous. Citizens who develop redness around the mouth, nose, hands and feet, as well as wounds on their bodies, head to hospitals. Stating that the disease, which is more common in hot and humid weather, is triggered by abrasions, scratches and cracks on the skin, as well as poor hygiene conditions, Dermatology Specialist Doctor Nurgül Bayram, who works in the Dermatology Department at Sakarya Education and Research Hospital, warned those who encounter this case to avoid contact with their relatives.
CONTACT SHOULD BE AVOIDED BECAUSE IT IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS
Dermatologist Dr. Nurgül Bayram, who emphasizes that in case of any scratch or trauma, the area of the skin should be kept clean, said, “Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection that we see frequently, especially in children, and is quite contagious. It is more common in hot and humid weather. Especially in cases such as scratches, scrapes, cracks, trauma and scratching on the skin, the skin barrier in this area is disrupted and when the skin barrier is disrupted, a bacteria called staphylococcus aureus begins to multiply in this area.
“Since this bacterial infection is highly contagious, it can spread from one place to another and can also be transmitted from person to person through contact. Therefore, contact between people should be avoided. Again, it is necessary to wash hands with plenty of soap and water. In case of any scratch or trauma, it is necessary to keep that area of the skin well clean,” he said.
IF IT IS SEEN IN A CHILD, THE FAMILY SHOULD NOT WORRY
Warning parents who notice the disease not to worry, Bayram said, “Although this bacterial skin infection is very rare, it can cause other, more serious complications. I definitely recommend that you see a Dermatologist so that it is not confused with other diseases. When such wounds occur, we always tell patients that the area must be kept clean.
We definitely try to keep siblings apart, especially from each other. We also tell them to wash their hands with plenty of soap and water. We want children to be careful to keep the area clean, especially in the event of a minor trauma or scratch. When impetigo occurs in a child, their families should not worry. First, they can go to primary health care and receive the necessary treatment, and if the disease does not go away, they can see a dermatologist,” he said.
POOR HYGIENE CONDITIONS ALSO TRIGGER
Bayram, who stated that hygiene also triggers this disease in addition to air temperatures, said, “The disease, which increases in hot and humid weather, is also triggered by poor hygiene conditions. It usually affects open areas of the body such as the face, neck, arms and legs. The bacterial skin infection we call impetigo can appear as yellow honey-colored crusts and water blisters inside. If the lesion is small, we generally try to treat it with topical medications.
If the lesions are large and the disease is severe, we apply oral antibiotic treatment. The process of passing the disease and healing actually depends on the patient’s compliance with the treatment. It depends on whether or not they follow the rules of hygiene. However, it also depends on how strong their immune system is. The lesions start to regress in about 7-10 days. During this period, we want patients to reduce their contact with their relatives,” he said. (İHA)