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Conditions

Impetigo

Impetigo (Photo courtesy of CDC)

Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the skin, of which there are two types: bullous impetigo (which causes large, painless, fluid-filled blisters), and the more common non-bullous impetigo (which accounts for over 70% of cases and causes sores that quickly rupture leaving a yellow-brown crust.) The condition is most common in children, normally occurring between the ages of two and four. However, it can also affect adults, especially if they are living in a confined environment such as an army barracks…or the Big Brother house! Channele Hayes, the Wannabee WAG from BB8, expressed concern in the diary room that the unhygienic conditions in the famous house could lead to an outbreak of impetigo. And even troubled singer Amy Winehouse has reportedly been diagnosed with the condition (maybe she picked it up in the confines of rehab?) A seven-day treatment of antibiotic creams will usually do the trick, but oral antibiotics can also be used if the creams are ineffective.

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What the Men in White Coats Say

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I had impetigo on my chin a few years ago. I took anti biotics for it and that cleared it up, but as soon as I finished the course it came back, so I completed another course and the same thing happened. When I was prescribed with a thrid course I tried something different. I sat in a vvv hot bath with loads of tea tree oil in it and sat with my chin bobbing in and out of the surface of the water for about an hour. when I got out of the bath it immediately looked cleaner, less crusty and less red. after a couple of days doing this once a day it had gone and has never come back. So if antis aren't cutting it it might be worth giving tea tree oil a try.

I have had impetigo every sinece i was about 15 i am now 22 and have it at least 10 times a year!! In fact i have it now. Its horrible and makes me not want to lkeave the house. I have had the cream and antibiotics and it alway take about 1 week to clear. I have had my nose swabbed as apparently the germ lies dormant in your nose and had a diabetes test but apart from that there is nothing the doctors can do :-( I have been told that it can be caused by stress and certain types of heat especially sunbeds! Lately i have tried salt water as more of a ntaural healer which seems to work alongside the cream. Also taking an immune vitimen such as echinacea may help. I totally understand the pain of anyone else suffering as its so nasty and flares up so randomly!

i have got this horrible infection right now on my top lip.this is the third time i have had it this year and this is the first year i have ever had it,all 3 times it has been around my mouth and no where else. i dont know what causes it as i am very clean am wondering weather it is linked to core sores which i have suffered from since age of 10 seem to get 1 every 4 months.last time i had this i was given fucedin cream did seem to work but it took about 9 days.

everytime i get run down i get really bad impetigo on my left cheek. it started after a got the worst burn imaginable on my face from a ski holiday. i usually get swollen glands at the same time. fuciden h works sometimes but once it made it even worse. the worst thing about it is i can feel it under my skin the whole time. even when it hasnt been visible for months i can feel it just waiting till i get sick again

i am 16 and every year around winter time, this time, i get impetigo just under my bottom lip. ive had this since i was little and i want to grow out of it, as it makes me feel very ugly and i just hate life when i have it. Ive tried everything, i dont know what there is left to try. please HELP!!

I Had This On And In My Nose, Very Uncomfortable And Makes You Self-Concious.

Doc Told Me To Pick The Scabs With Very Clean Hands To Speed Up Healin Process.

I have had impetigo for about 5 years now. I get it in and around my nose and have it about once every few months. I hate having it, and theres nothing i can do to hide it. My doctor says that because im having it in small amounts my bodies not building anti- bodies for it. I have cream to help, but really it doesnt change it. I just want to know how to get rid of it for good?

I am 26 and have suffered from impetigo since i was around 6 month old. I get it twice a year if im lucky, this yr I have had it 4 times, and the year is not over yet!!! I get it on my chin and have scars from it.. It makes me paranoid and upset when I get it and because of my scars. I find the best thing to use id tea tree oil, I apply it with a cotton bud works a treat.. Faster result than steriods.. My doctor wont entertain me being referred, which upsets me alot. The strangest thing about it is although it is so contagious no-one has caught it of me and but on me it spreads when it weaps… Whats going on there??? Im so confused about it all and want it to go away as it effects my self image in many ways and feel embarrassed to state in job applications I have this skin infection on a regular basis, then it effects me career wise too. My heart goes out to all whom suffer this x horrid skin infection

Ive had impetigo a couple of times, no idea where i got it from, just appeared does go after a week tho , but makes you feel horrible and tied to the house!! also i get the itchy blisters on the soles of my feet and ive been told its a form of excema, interesting if to do with ibs cos i think ive got that mildly

I have it, its in my gums and spread to my legs, chest, back. It started in my face, I have no idea how i got it, maybe from my scalp? I think the worst thing is touching it this causes it to spread, just need to learn to stop it and not burst it but when its there shouting on your face you cant help it.




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