Impetigo Treatment
Advanced Treatment for Staph Impetigo (Infantigo) in the San Diego Area
Dr. Melanie Palm is a nationally recognized dermatologist and an expert in the treatment of cosmetic and medical skin conditions affecting adults and children alike. Dr. Palm is a noted leader in her field and offers many effective treatment options for impetigo or infantigo. Her offices are located in Solana Beach, CA just north of San Diego.
What is Impetigo?
Impetigo, also called infantigo, occurs as honey-colored crust from a staphylococcal (Staph) bacterial infection. When the yellow crust is removed, the skin underneath appears smooth, red, and shiny. Impetigo often appears in a circular pattern. Rarely, impetigo can be caused by strep. In these cases of strep bacterial infection, enlarged lymph nodes are common.
Impetigo often affects children early in life, although adults may also be affected. It is more common in warm and moist environments, especially during hot, humid summer months. Impetigo most commonly occurs around the nose and mouth, but may occur elsewhere on the body. Other common areas of involvement include the hands, neck, and extremities.
Fingernails, pets, crowded housing, and daycare can harbor the bacteria. Staph is commonly found in the nostrils or the perianal area by those affected by impetigo. Impetigo can be highly contagious and should be treated.
Impetigo Treatment Options
Impetigo is treated with topical and/or oral antibiotics, depending on the severity of the infection. Milder cases of impetigo can be treated with a topical antibiotic such as Mupirocin ointment while more severe infections may require additional treatment with oral antibiotics.
Antibiotic coverage is usually continued for at least one week and is broad enough to cover community-acquired MRSA (a staph infection resistant to some families of antibiotics). Dr. Palm may also recommend routines at home to help reduce re-infection by staph or strep to prevent further outbreaks of impetigo in the future.
If you are looking for a dermatologist to treat impetigo or infantigo in the San Diego area, call Dr. Melanie Palm at 858.792.SKIN (7546) to schedule your appointment to discuss your treatment options.
