American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [760]
Treatment
If you have impetigo, your doctor will prescribe a topical antibacterial medication or an oral antibiotic. Wash away the crusts with antibacterial soap and water and a clean washcloth. To avoid spreading the infection, don’t share washcloths, towels, or pillowcases. Children should stay home from school for at least 2 days after starting antibiotics. If not treated, impetigo can persist and spread.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a skin infection caused by bacteria such as streptococcus or staphylococcus. The bacteria enter through a break in the skin, such as a small cut or sore, and produce enzymes that break down the skin cells. Cellulitis can result from tinea (a fungus) skin infections such as athlete’s foot (see page 1073).
Symptoms and Diagnosis
In cellulitis, a red, tender swelling develops on the body, usually on the legs (see page 125), and spreads gradually for a few days. Red lines may appear on the skin, running from infected areas along lymph vessels to nearby lymph glands. The lymph glands may swell, and a fever may develop. A doctor can diagnose cellulitis by the symptoms.
Treatment
To treat cellulitis, doctors prescribe oral antibiotics. In rare cases, treatment requires intravenous antibiotics. If cellulitis is not treated, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause blood poisoning (see page 937), which can be life-threatening.
Sunburn
Sunburn is inflammation of the skin from overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. The burned skin is red, hot, tender, and swollen. In severe cases, blisters may form and the skin may peel. You can get a sunburn more easily if you have light skin (although anyone can get sunburned). Having a disorder such as systemic lupus erythematosus (see page 920) or taking a medication such as tetracycline, doxycycline, or minocycline or a herbal supplement such as St John’s wort can make the skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays.
You can get sunburned at any time, even on an overcast or cold winter day. The sun’s rays can reflect off surfaces such as snow, water, sand, or concrete. Sunburn is more likely to occur in places with intense sunlight, such as the southeastern and southwestern United States and places near the equator. People from northern latitudes who vacation in these areas are most susceptible to sunburn because they may not be aware of the sun’s intensity at hours that are not usually dangerous at home.
Repeatedly or regularly exposing your skin to the sun breaks down the elastic tissues in the skin, making it age prematurely and become wrinkled. In addition, excessive sun exposure can produce red, roughened patches of skin called actinic (or solar) keratoses (see next page), which are especially common in people with fair skin. Actinic keratoses can become cancerous if not treated.
Preventing Sunburn
The ultraviolet rays in sunlight destroy cells in the outer layer of skin and damage tiny blood vessels beneath, possibly leading to skin cancer, premature wrinkling, and spider veins (dilated blood vessels). To avoid skin damage from the sun:
• Routinely apply a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher to all uncovered areas of your body every time you go out during the day, especially before prolonged exposure to the sun. Reapply the sunscreen often throughout the day.
• Wear clothing with a high SPF to block light. High-SPF clothing has a tight weave. For example, plain cotton has an SPF of 7, cotton and polyester have an SPF of 15, polyester and lycra have 35, and cotton denim has 1,700.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat that shades most of your face, neck, and shoulders. Baseball caps do not provide enough shade.