I want to review the most common infection I've been treating in the past few weeks: IMPETIGO. There is a lot of panic and misinformation about this condition, so I want to lay out the facts for you here. All pics are of Sweetbay patients, which means some of you will recognize your own kids' sweet little infected body parts 🩷😝
So what is Impetigo? It is a common bacterial skin infection, and while it can occur year-round, we see more of it during the summer months. Why? Because warm humid weather provides an environment more conducive to bacterial growth, more skin is exposed, and outdoor activities lead to more insect bites, cuts and scrapes. Impetigo starts when there is a break in the skin, which acts like an open door, allowing bacteria to move in and cause infection.The most common bacteria that cause impetigo are Staphylococcus aureus (aka "Staph") and Streptococcus pyogenes (aka "Strep," and yep, the same bug that causes Strep Throat).