Disclaimer. I am not a licensed health practitioner. This is just another post on knowledge and understanding you might wish to acquire in advance of a disaster in case no higher care is available. As long as our society is functioning, you should leave anything more substantial than applying a Band-Aid to the professionals. No medication, including those available over the counter, should be taken without consulting a physician. Information shared here is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not medical advice nor a substitute for licensed medical care.
I've never experienced or even seen a case of impetigo, but I do remember seeing it on the papers all elementary school kids took home to their parents. Impetigo was something that would get you sent home from school post haste because it was so contagious. Since I don't have children in public school, I'm not sure what they do now. Maybe a participation trophy?
Anyway, impetigo is a minor bacterial infection of the skin typified by quickly spreading sores with shiny yellow crusts. It most frequently occurs in children, especially on their faces and particularly around the mouth, but it also occurs on the extremities and sometimes the trunk. Scabby lesions and shiny, yellow, crusty sores that don't heal are often impetigo.[1] Impetigo may begin with an insect bite or a scratch. It spreads easily to other people or other parts of the body from the sores or contaminated fingers.
Impetigo is generally caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria. For all infections, wash the sores 3-4 times per day with soap and cool water, gently soaking off and removing the crusts. For small patches of infection, a physician will try using topical agents before turning to oral antibiotics. Use any of the following 2-3 times per day.
Bacitracin
Bactroban (mupirocin)
Silvadene[2]Because impetigo is contagious to others as well as to other parts of the body, wear gloves when cleaning the sores and applying medication. Then cover the sores and wash the hands well again.
For a more extensive or resistant infection, or if there is a fever, the following antibiotics are often prescribed:[3]
Augmentin, 250-500 mg, 3x per day
Keflex, 250-500 mg, 3-4x per day
TMP-SMZ DS, 1 tablet, 2x per day
Doxycycline, 50-100 mg, 2x per day[4]If none of these work, Cipro or Levaquin are other options. Erythromycin may be used for a mild infection in patients allergic to penicillin.
How do you know if an antibiotic is working? On the first day, the symptoms probably won't decrease, but they shouldn't worsen either. By the second to third day, symptoms should be greatly improved. If not, a physician will add another antibiotic or change to a different one. Treatment should continue 5-7 days.
Non-pharmaceutical options for treatment include:
Honey. Dilute this enough to use it as a wash and apply with a cotton ball or clean cloth twice per day.[5]
Usnea tincture. Use this straight or dilute it in a 1:1 ratio with cool water and apply with a cotton ball or clean cloth twice per day.[6]
Bleach. Add 1/8 teaspoon to 1 quart of cool water and apply with a cotton ball or clean cloth twice per day.[7]
Gentian violet. Apply 2-3 times per day.Regardless of the treatment option selected, all scabs should be covered to prevent spreading.
Do not let an infected child play or sleep with other children until the infection is completely resolved.[8]
Links to related posts:
The Medicinal Uses of Honey
The Medicinal Uses of Usnea
Augmentin
Cephalexin
References:
[1] Cynthia Koelker, Armageddon Medicine, 212.
[2] Ibid.
[3] David Werner, Where There Is No Doctor, 202.
[4] Armageddon Medicine, 212.
[5] Stephen Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 191.
[6] Ibid, 200.
[7] Armageddon Medicine, 212.
[8] Where There Is No Doctor, 202.
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