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Impetigo is an infectious skin problem. Impetigo in athletes is caused by bacteria called as Staphylococcus. Impetigo is a common disease in school children and sportsmen where contact with other people is unavoidable like that of wrestling, rugby, football, etc. This disease is common both in children and adult people.

Types of Impetigo:

Impetigo is skin disease, which can be divided in different types. These types include:

Impetigo Contagiosa:

This is a common type of Impetigo disease. This skin problem is initiated with the red pimples like abrasion on skin. It is usually filled with pus and rupture within 4-6-day  time periods. This type of Impetigo is usually due to bites of insects.

Bullous impetigo:

This type of skin infection is commonly found in young children and toddlers less than two years. In this type of skin infection, small blisters are caused all over the skin especially on abdomen, legs and arms.

Ecthyma:

Ecthyma is a severe type of skin disease impetigo. In this type the infection, infects the dermis layers of skin.  In this type pus filled, painful blisters are caused on feet and legs. These blisters are covered with the hard layer and left scars on skin after healing process.

Prevention of impetigo:

Any skin infection is caused basically due to poor hygiene habits. Likewise, the basic prevention from impetigo is practicing good sanitation habits.  Infected people should keep their things separated from other family members. These include towels, soap, clothes etc. Infected people should take baths regularly to keep themselves clean. People can also use affected areas with tape or bandage.

Likewise, healthy people should also take proper care of themselves. This also includes areas of skin in case of injury like cuts, insect bites, rashes etc. People should keep these areas covered and clean with anti bacterial. Every member of house should keep himself clean and cut their nails properly so that no bacteria can invade your skin.

Once infected with impetigo skin disease it is likely for people to catch the infection again within 6 months time periods. As this disease is common among athletes thus, they should take proper care during any sport. They should keep them clean with proper anti bacterial soaps and agents. They should keep their things separated from other players in dressing room and in case of any injury they should keep their wounds clean and covered with bandage.

Conventional treatment:

The skin problem of impetigo is normally treated with antiseptic medicine of gentian violet. This keeps the affected area clean and free of germs.

Latest Treatment:

Minor infection can be treated by proper hygienic practices and usage of anti-bacterial soap and ointments. However, nowadays antibiotics are also recommended by doctors for oral intake. These antibiotics include flucloxacillin or erythromycin for complete infection control.

In acute conditions of impetigo antibiotics like flucloxacillin or erythromycin can also be used.