Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #90 on: September 12, 2009, 01:55:39 PM » by boysmama

...little white bumps on the back of the arm sounds like keratosis pilaris.
http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,6455.0.html

I've had this, my son did. As we worked on getting rid of inflammation, systemic fungal issues, and correcting nutritional deficiencies they just went away.

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #91 on: September 12, 2009, 03:48:18 PM » by 4myhoonie

Quote from: lovetoreadmom on September 12, 2009, 10:31:33 AM

BUMP!!!

Quote from: lovetoreadmom on September 11, 2009, 09:55:07 PM

My 2-1/2yo DD was just diagnosed today with impetigo. Sad

I had been trying different things on her, but the itching was just so bad, esp. at night. I would hear her scratching in her sleep, and it sounded as if she had knives for fingernails. Shocked

Really BAD. Anyway, the ped. dr. prescribed an oral anti-biotic (cephalexin) and a topical steroid cream. She's been on only one other anti-bio in her life , and that was for an eye infection earlier this year.

What can I do to help her immune system while on this? I can give her probiotic (Tummy tune-Up in yogurt), Berry Well, and treat her diet carefully, but other than that what else can I do? I do have tea tree oil and Eden Salve - how can those be used? Should I do any of this while she is on the medications?

Also, she has these little white bumps on the backs of her upper arms. They are really not visible unless you are looking very closely. Is this another sign of yeast/candidiasis?

Please give any and ALL suggestions. Nothing is too small or insignificant in my book!

yes, the bumps do sound like ketosis pelaris. my daughter has it. i have never been very consistent with treatment, but yes i think it's caused by yeast/food allergies. i have heard of using coconut oil on it to make it go away. makes sense, cuz it's antifungal, etc. you could also put raw ACV on it daily and see if it disappears.

if it were me, i would get some garlic softgels into her somehow. my kids have been able to swallow them at age 3, not sure how old she is.

for the imetigo, i have another child with it now, and we are putting supertonic on it. you could take some raw ACV, maybe a pint or so, chop up several cloves of garlic and a small onion, let it steep for a day, strain it and use it topically. the stuff works great! we caught this one early and it's going away fast and not spreading. HTH

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #92 on: September 12, 2009, 09:21:38 PM » by MQM

Quote from: MommabyHisgrace on September 12, 2009, 01:35:34 PM

MQM--keep in mind that if you have ever had antibiotics or any yeast issues candida is passed from momma to baby.

Appreciate your suggestions so much. (Hope moderator doesn't think we're too far off-topic, since we are trying to find the source of weak immune system that keeps this impetigo from disappearing.) I probably had antibiotics as a baby, because I had pneumonia as an infant, and I'm assuming I had them when I was 13 and had bronchitis (same year my seasonal allergies started), but I don't know for sure--mom was unstable. ? So it is a possibility.

I'm not plagued w/yeast symptoms, but I did have a fungal type rash around my nose when I began consuming more sugar, after having eliminated any added and refined sugars from our regular diet for 2 years. I do think I have possible vitamin/mineral deficiencies due to other digestive issues (and family health history) but not seemingly yeast-related as far as I've researched. Again, I'm not ruling it out and plan to take anti-candida steps. Dd is prone to skin issues, but not on a regular or consistent basis. It was more of a problem before we eliminated pasteurized milk from diets several years ago. Since then, she has gotten hives twice I think (not including when I put honey on her face ??).

On the other hand, it seems like I read in a book about candidiasis--might sound bizarre--that if a member of the same household has it, one can get it from him/her over time. I do suspect that dh has yeast issues for a variety of reasons, but he doesn't always give credence to all my health stuff, especially if it means he has to take herbs. Wink

As far as the wheat/gluten, I did discuss these possibilities w/her dr., and she asked us to keep food journal for 2 weeks. This was inconclusive for me, since celiac can be asymptomatic, and dd doesn't always have symptoms. Dr. was not very familiar w/celiac, anyway, so I never called back after journalling. Embarrassed

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #93 on: September 12, 2009, 09:23:53 PM » by MQM

Lindsey, so glad it's going away! Take good care of yourself, lots of rest and water. Wink

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #94 on: September 12, 2009, 09:40:38 PM » by MQM

For all who've eradicated impetigo... did you continue to wash face numerous times per day even after all crusty/weeping sores were gone? Crusty sores have been gone since beginning of second week, and I have been trying to maintain regimen, but I'm just not sure. I sure get tired of "painting" her face round the clock, even though sores have not blistered and erupted for last three weeks. She is weary of this. I let her paint a "beard" on me one day to show solidarity. Dh couldn't believe I left it on overnight, like she has to. Wink

Hope I'm not annoying anyone. I feel like I own this thread. Roll Eyes

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #95 on: September 12, 2009, 09:52:59 PM » by 4myhoonie

we didn't. we've had it on buttocks, face, up nose and back of knee. different kids, different times and we just left it dry to the air. (except the underwear covered one!) my almost 9 yo. is putting the tonic on whenever it bothers her in the day, 2 or 3 times. it is going away nicely.

i remember it being scary to have it on the face though, not sure if it was going to scar at the time. it didn't though. it always looks like it could but i don't think it does. don't worry too much.

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"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #96 on: September 13, 2009, 12:25:26 AM » by lovetoreadmom

Quote from: boysmama on September 12, 2009, 01:55:39 PM

Thanks. I will start reading on this. Sounds like I really need to think about how to get rid of certain things in her diet and adding others. She's always been my healthy one . . . never gets a cold or anything . . . I want to keep her that way.

Thanks for all the recommendations. She is so far responding well to the the meds w/o any side effects at this point. Praying this continues!

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #97 on: September 19, 2009, 02:03:45 PM » by MQM

After almost 6 wks of subdued impetigo--always 1-2 sores that don't blister/erupt--I finally went to the dr. to see if I was missing something. (Wanted to confirm staph & contagiousness since sores aren't pus-filled, and discuss compromised immune system aspect, etc.)

When ARNP first looked at dd, she said, "There's no rash here." I expected this response and was relieved that I had brought pics of dd in early stages from when I first began treatment. Anyway, after divulging to her that raw honey/herbs was my M.O., and expecting a prompt lecture, I was astonished to be commended by her. She told me I was "doing great" and that I was "a good mom". "If all my patient's mom's were like you, I wouldn't have a job." (I was literally in tears with praise to God. Children's pcp is at this clinic, but we rarely go and didn't know this nurse prac. was there. Will definitely continue to use her!) Among other things and not in this order, she said to me, "We've created MRSA by overusing antibiotics. If your body can fight off illnesses w/o than you'll be much stronger. We've used raw honey for wound treatments, and studies have proven raw honey to be effective for colds."

She thinks that because she has fought it off so long w/so few sores instead of rampantly spreading means she probably has a very strong immune system. Huh

So, bottom line, she thinks it's just impetigo/staph, not MRSA, but did swab for culture to be sure, and we'll find out results by Wednesday. She also prescribed mupirocin (generic bactroban) and instructed me to swab nose with it. However, my pharmacist neighbor told me it is specific for MRSA, and that I can quit using it if it's confirmed to NOT be. So I probably will not use it. If she HAS had MRSA this long (6 weeks), which I seriously doubt, given how well it has cleared up and no one else has gotten it, I don't think 3 days w/o treatment will matter. I know MRSA is dangerous/highly contagious. I've seen pics and I'm pretty certain it's not. Dr. is just following protocol. She also said that I don't need to keep her home. Just wash hands, sanitize everything, and avoid individuals w/weak immune system or who just had surgery--open wounds--or newborns, etc.

We also discussed the fact that staph colonizes in the nasal passages, and I have been kicking myself for not swabbing dd's nose for the duration. Moms, be sure to swab nose as part of topical treatments. I did for awhile when she had actual sores in nose, but dd gets so irritable about it that I finally slacked off and forgot about it. She also mentioned that bathing infected person with small amount of clorox in water has been effective in ridding home of staph. So I'm hoping that with continual treatment and now w/regular nose swabbing, we might just kick this!

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #98 on: September 19, 2009, 09:10:13 PM » by T

You might try colloidal silver in a nebulizer to keep from irritating her with swabbing. My CS is supposed to kill MRSA (talked about it on the homemade CS thread). The vapors should get in there farther than you could with a swab. Just a thought...

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #99 on: September 20, 2009, 02:23:57 PM » by MQM

Quote from: T on September 19, 2009, 09:10:13 PM

You might try colloidal silver in a nebulizer to keep from irritating her with swabbing.

Actually, we have be using CS for about a week and 1/2 now, just to change things up. But I hadn't thought of a nebulizer. That's a good idea. Maybe I'll see if I can get my hands on one. It doesn't hurt, it's just uncomfortable. She's always been funny about her nose. Until this year, making her blow her nose was always an ordeal that ended with her crying.

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #100 on: September 20, 2009, 08:50:10 PM » by MommabyHisgrace

MQM--glad to hear how well things went at the doctor's office! Praise God! I don't know if I mentioned it earlier, but here goes....We ended up swabbing noses for the first week of each month 2 x a day for six months. The whole family! Reason being that somebody in the family could have it colonized in their nose and have no symptoms and yet be passing it back to the one having the skin issues. I have also done the GSE nasal spray for those who can handle it. It burns a little, but it really gets back into the nasal passages. Oh, and also changed pillow cases after the week of swabbing so as not to just pick it back up again.

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #101 on: September 21, 2009, 09:09:05 PM » by MQM

Thanks, Mbhgrace. What did you swab with, gse?

Well, bad news. Dr. called today and culture showed MRSA. I'm a little surprised, but I am amazed at how well it has cleared up even though we've been dealing with MRSA all this time and didn't know it. And although I'm disappointed that it's MRSA and not just impetigo staph, I am so thankful that right now, she only has one small sore just barely inside her nose.

So... I guess I'll be moving my saga Wink

over to the MRSA thread. And to update... I am adding allicin/garlic tablets and Vitamin C internally, and I'll use gse internally again in moderation. Still using silver topically/swabbing and alternating w/gse.

Dr. also said that if we get anymore lesions, I need to bring her in to get a round of oral antibiotics. I REALLY don't want to do that. Not sure I'm going to report anything further to the dr. now that I know what we're dealing with. Do you think I'm doing the right thing by holding off on the mupirocin/bactroban? From what I've been reading, it seems like this only stalls it temporarily then it comes back with a vengeance.

I did start to use it tonight because dh mentioned that we probably should so we could just be done with this. When he saw me getting ready to apply it, however, he said, "You don't have to do that. You've done a lot more research on it than I have."

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Re: Impetigo: Diagnosis, Causes & Cures
« Reply #102 on: September 21, 2009, 09:40:49 PM » by herbalmom

Either one of these 2 methods would probably work better than swabbing the inside of the nose & would help clear the sinuses as well. IMO, it's likely that often times the sinuses are infected as well & could be the reason for reinfection. For either of these methods you could use silver in water, GSE in water or something else that's antibacterial just as long as it wouldn't burn or damage the sinuses.

Quote from: herbalmom on December 13, 2006, 10:47:31 AM

The idea is to snuff salt water up the nose to clean out the sinuses & reduce any possible swelling. The Eustachian tubes are connected to the back of the sinuses-that's where the fluid she is feeling is. If the sinuses are clogged w/goop or swollen the Eustachian tubes can't drain. Try mixing 1/4 teas sea w/1 cup warm water. Pour some into the palm of the hand, plug one nostril & snuff the salt water up the other nostril into the sinuses. Repeat. When you work your way through the gook in the sinuses the salt water ends up in the back of your throat & you spit it out. Repeat on each side several times. She will gag & it is not a pleasant treatment but it works to clear the sinuses. Maybe this will help, I hope it does.

Quote from: SC on December 14, 2006, 12:21:54 AM

Quote from: herbalmom on December 13, 2006, 06:34:45 PM

HB-I agree that a nose spray bottle is more pleasant & it's great for reg. use but the idea of this is to wash the sinuses w/a large volume of salt water to completely clean them out. I suppose that a spray bottle could be used for this instead of sniffing from the palm but it would have to be refilled so many times to get the volume that it may not be worth the trouble.

Okay, this method is not for the faint of heart -- but for those of you who suffer with the effects of clogged sinuses and inflamed tissues, (in other words the desperate ones) it won't sound too outlandish.

Use the salt water -- I would use distilled water. You can warm it and add some garlic tea to it. Put a little bit of coconut or olive oil (1/4 tsp maybe) in the mix to soothe the passages. If you want, a drop or two of eucalyptus essential oil, peppermint, or whatever stuff makes your sinuses open BUT only a drop or two to a 1/2 or 1 cup of water.

Then, take the phone off of the hook, get dad to watch the kids and go to the bedroom.

On a small table next to the bed where you can reach it easily place your cup of warm water, an eye dropper and a LOT of tissues.

Lay down on the bed on your BACK. Move your head to the edge of the bed so that your head is no longer supported by the mattress. Your chin should be pointing up towards the ceiling and the top of your head should be towards the floor.

Breathe through your MOUTH. While you are doing this, use the eye dropper and fill your sinus passage with the water. You may even use one of those medicine syringes for kids to do this.

This will feel like you've got very full sinuses. Don't snort. DON'T SIT UP or tilt your head. Keep it hanging off the bed. You won't drown. Just keep breathing through your mouth and just hang there for as long as you can.

When you're ready, get the tissues (paper towels), cover your mouth and nose and turn over to your belly. Cough and blow all that gunk out of there. It will probably loosen up that inner ear as well.

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