If you’ve recently been given an impetigo diagnosis, or you think you may be suffering from impetigo, there are a few things you may need. Learning more about your impetigo diagnosis can help stop this contagious skin infection with you. And, it can help you find helpful resources which help to pay for your needed treatment!

What is Impetigo?

Before you can go about effectively treating and preventing the spread of impetigo, it’s helpful to know what it is. Basically, it’s a commonly diagnosed skin infection which is brought on by specific bacteria which cause the condition. Bacteria which can lead to impetigo enters the body usually through scratching and picking of sores or bumps on the skin. Or, it can simply enter through a cut or scrape. When impetigo bacteria enters into the skin from an opening, it quickly starts to reproduce, resulting in thousands of bacteria. The body responds by sending white blood cells to the scene of the incident to fight off the foreign intruders. As the white blood cells die, they leave behind white pus, creating a blister. Eventually, these blisters burst and leave behind a layer of crust-like peeling which is what characterizes an impetigo diagnosis.

The Types of Impetigo

There are two types of impetigo commonly diagnosed in those which experience complications from bacterial infections of the skin. The two types of impetigo are bullous and nonbullous. Specific characteristics of the two include:

Bullous: The less commonly diagnosed type of impetigo, bullous impetigo is developed by the bacteria known as staphylococci. It’s characterized by larger, more painful blisters.

Nonbullous: This type of impetigo that leads to smaller blisters and is more commonly diagnosed is brought on by bacteria (either streptococci or staphylococci) entering openings of the skin.

Impetigo is basically a skin rash caused by infection. So, it can appear on any part of the body. But, it’s most common on exposed skin like the face, hands, arms, or legs. These rashes can be identified by redding, pus-filled blisters, yellow-colored crust, itching, and pain.

Getting an Impetigo Diagnosis

Because infections like impetigo are contagious, they should be examined and diagnosed by a medical professional. If you notice a red, blistering rash on your body, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor right away. Usually, impetigo can be diagnosed on sight and without further testing, since it’s such a commonly diagnosed condition. And, antibiotic pills and ointment can be given to prevent the spread of the rash, help with fighting the infection, and reduce symptoms of painful irritation.

Help Paying for your Impetigo Treatment

If you’ve already had your doctor take a look at your impetigo and have gotten an impetigo diagnosis, you’ve probably already gotten a prescription. Altabax is a topical antibiotic treatment commonly prescribed to those diagnosed with impetigo. But, paying for prescriptions may not be easy for everyone.

For individuals who don’t have health insurance or have insurance which doesn’t cover prescription medications, there are financial solutions available. Patient assistance programs are resources made available by drug manufacturers and non-profit organizations for people who would otherwise be unable to afford their needed medical treatments. If you have little or no health insurance to help pay for the cost of your impetigo prescription medications or other medications which can be found listed on our website, you may qualify to receive huge discounts or even complete coverage on your prescriptions! To enroll, visit our website or call us today at 877-596-1604.