Impetigo – What is It and How Can it Be Cured?
Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection. It can be treated with antisptic or antibiotic cream.
If you notice raised red spots on any part of your body that have a white dimple in the middle, you may have contracted a virus called molluscum contagiosum. It’s harmless, but contagious.
It’s passed on by skin-to-skin contact or by using the same towels or bedding as someone with the virus. It’s common in children, and in adults, it can be spread by sexual contact.
No. They might appear on different parts of your body, but usually there aren’t a huge number of spots on your skin. The British Dermatology Association say there are usually fewer than 20.
The virus doesn’t usually need any treatment. It will go away by itself, but it can take up to 18 months for the spots to disappear completely. In the meanwhile, you can carry on with life as normal because, although the virus is contagious, most people are immune to molluscum contagiosum and won’t catch the virus.
The only exception is that people with weakened immune systems might be at a higher risk because of the body’s inability to fight infection as efficiently as someone who is normally healthy.
Not usually. But if the spots are itching and they have become inflamed, you might need an antibiotic cream. If your skin is particularly dry and sore, your doctor might prescribe a steroid cream. It might be a good idea to consult your doctor if the spots are very close to your eyes or eyelids, as you may need a referral to a specialist.
Yes, you can. You can either use cryotherapy or apply a solution called MolluDab. It contains 5% potassium hydroxide, which is said to cause less skin irritation than treatments that contain other ingredients.
Cryotherapy removes skin lesions by freezing them. The procedure is carried out using a Cryopen, which gives a precise jet of nitrous oxide into the spot.
This destroys the damaged tissue but doesn’t affect any healthy surrounding tissue. It isn’t painful, but it does sting slightly for a few minutes after the treatment.
Cryotherapy is suitable for adults and children. But normally, the procedure is best for older children who can put up with the stinging sensation.
It depends on the condition, but at the pharmacy, we don’t treat anyone who has:
Or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. When you come in for your cryotherapy treatment, we will assess your skin and ask you some questions regarding your general health to make sure you can have the treatment. The consultation is free. All you pay for is the cryotherapy treatment.
You can book online, give us a call on 01276 21002 or come into the pharmacy and speak to a member of staff.
You can buy MolluDab solution over the counter. It comes in a 2ml bottle with an applicator. The solution works by stimulating your immune system, which then starts to work on the spots.
Apply the solution to all the spots on your skin twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. As soon as you notice the spots becoming red, stop using the solution. But whether your skin is red or not, don’t use MolluDab after 14 days. The spots will begin to heal between 1-4 weeks, even after you have stopped using the product.
If they have a white dimple in the middle and it has white fluid inside that you’ll see if it is squeezed, then the likelihood is that you have molluscum contagiosum. But you can ask here at the pharmacy if you’re unsure.
Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection. It can be treated with antisptic or antibiotic cream.
If you have small bumps on your face or chest you may have sebaceous hyperplasia. It’s a common skin condition caused by enlarged sebaceous glands. Read our blog to find out more about the condition and how it can be treated.
