HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR IMPETIGO

Impetigo  is a common and highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects infants and children. Impetigo usually appears as red sores on the face, especially around a child's nose and mouth, and on hands and feet. The sores burst and develop honey-colored crusts.

Causes-Impetigo is most often caused by staphylococcus aureus. Non –bullous impetigo can also be caused by group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus, Streptococcus pyogenes. The  bacteria that cause impetigo when you come into contact with the sores of someone who's infected or with items they've touched — such as clothing, bed linen, towels and even toys.

Symptoms-Classic signs and symptoms of impetigo involve red sores that quickly rupture, ooze for a few days and then form a yellowish-brown crust. The sores usually occur around the nose and mouth but can be spread to other areas of the body by fingers, clothing and towels. Itching and soreness are generally mild.

A less common form of the disorder, called bullous impetigo, may feature larger blisters that occur on the trunk of infants and young children.

A more serious form of impetigo, called ecthyma, penetrates deeper into the skin — causing painful fluid- or pus-filled sores that turn into deep ulcers.

Risk factors-Factors that increase the risk of impetigo include:

Age. Impetigo most commonly occurs in children ages 2 to 5.

Crowded conditions. Impetigo spreads easily in schools and child care settings.

Warm, humid weather. Impetigo infections are more common in summer.

Certain sports. Participation in sports that involve skin-to-skin contact, such as football or wrestling, increases your risk of developing impetigo.

Broken skin. The bacteria that cause impetigo often enter your skin through a small skin injury, insect bite or rash.

Adults and people with diabetes or a weakened immune system are more likely to develop ecthyma.

Complications-Impetigo typically isn't dangerous. And the sores in mild forms of the infection generally heal without scarring.

Rarely, complications of impetigo include:

Cellulitis. This potentially serious infection affects the tissues underlying your skin and eventually may spread to your lymph nodes and bloodstream. Untreated cellulitis can quickly become life-threatening.

Kidney problems. One of the types of bacteria that cause impetigo can also damage your kidneys.

Scarring. The ulcers associated with ecthyma can leave scars.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Impetigo can be managed by very effectively with well selected Homoeopathic medicines.Some of the important remedies are given below-

ARSENICUM ALBUM 30-Arsenic alb is effective for Impetigo with dry, rough, scaly, dirty, shriveled skin. The eruptions are papular , dry, rough, scaly, worse from cold and scratching.  Better from warmth. There is severe burning, itching and swelling   in the affected part.

HEPAR SULPH 30- Hepar sulph is effective for Impetigo with high sensitive skin.Vesicular eruptions with pricking in parts. The eruptions are highly sensitive to touch .  There is tendency to ulceration. The ulcers very sensitive to contact, burning, stinging and easily bleeding. Humid scabs and pustules upon the head. The cervical glands are swollen.

MERCURIUS SOL 30- Merc sol is another effective medicine for impetigo  where yellowish scabs are seen on face and mouth with fetid discharge.There is excoriation of the scalp and destruction of the scalp. The skin is constantly moist.

MEZEREUM 30- Mezereum is prescribed where there is deep inflammatoty redness of the face. Eruptions around the mouth with coryza.  From the eruptions ooze acrid , gluey moisture , form thick crusts , scabs with pus beneath or chalky white. Ichor from scratched places excoriates other parts.

VIOLA TRICOLOR 30- Viola tricolor is effective for impetigo with intolerable itching. The  eruptions are seen  upon the face , hands and knees of children.Scabs on face with burning and itching. These are red spots or blisters from which discharge pus. Thick scabs which cracks and cracks exudes a tenacious pus.

For more details read DISEASES OF SKIN WITH HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT