A case of Non bullous Impetigo: Cured with Homoeopathic medicine

Dr Amala.A

Abstract : Baby girl of 1.6 years belonging to Mangalore has presented with the complaint of fever  and vesicular eruptions around the mouth, buttocks and hands. Based on the presenting complaint and Psychodynamic sphere of the patient, Lycopodium  Clavatum was prescribed which proved to be effective in curing the Impetigo. Patient improved in four days.

Key words: Homoeopathy, Impetigo, Lycopodium Clavatum, VESICULAR ERUOTIONS..

Introduction: Impetigo is the most common Bacterial skin infection of children. Most cases of Non bullous Impetigo and all cases of Bullous impetigo are caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The remainder of cases of Non bullous Impetigo are due to group A beta hemolytic streptococci (GABHS)1. Impetigo is a highly contagious, superficial skin infection that most commonly affects children two to five years of age. The two types of Impetigo are Non bullous impetigo (i.e., Impetigo contagiosa) and Bullous Impetigo. The diagnosis usually is made clinically, but rarely a culture may be useful. Although impetigo usually heals spontaneously within two weeks without scarring, treatment helps relieve the discomfort, improve cosmetic appearance, and prevent the spread of an organism that may cause other illnesses (e.g., glomerulonephritis).2

Case report

Patient started with fever initially. It was sudden in onset. After first  day of fever patient started with small  reddish vesicular eruptions around mouth . Eruptions are aggravated by heat and amelioration by application of cold water. Later the eruptions spread to buttocks, hands  and then whole body. The eruptions are painful due to which patient is weepy. Eruptions  around the mouth are crusty. Patient is highly irritable mentally.

Family history: No family history of Impetigo or any other systemic disease.

Personal history: Patient has reduced appetite , loss of thirst, and disturbed sleep due to the complaint.

General physical examination: Patient is well oriented with place, time and person.

Weight : 8kg

Temp: On the day of admission in IPD: 100.70F.

Temperature dropped to 980 F.

On examination: vesicular eruptions around buttocks, mouth, hands.

Investigation: All the parameters are normal.

DIAGNOSIS:

PROVISIONAL DIAGNOSIS: NON BULLOUS IMPETIGO3:

  • Crops of blisters around the mouth, buttocks, upper and lower extremities.
  • Crusty eruption around the mouth.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: HAND FOOT MOUTH DISEASE3

It is ruled out because:

The patient would present with eruptions more on palms, soles and inside mouth, while impetigo does not show up in mouth.

Though Arsenicum Album gets 19 marks, Lycopodium was chosen based on the mental generals(highly irritable and obstinate) and characteristic particulars of the patient. Millesimal potency was chosen to avoid any kind of aggravation as it was Impetigo and as also the child was extremely irritable, 0/1 potency given 1tsp every 3rd hourly gradually reduced the eruptions and irritability of the child.

Prescription :Lycopodium Clavatum  0/1

1tsp every 3rd hourly was given.

CONCLUSION:

This case highlights the usefulness of Homoeopathic medicines in treating Non bullous        Impetigo. Patient responded positively to the Homoeopathic treatment and relieved her of Impetigo. Lycopodium Clavatum 0/1 potency was useful in curing the patient.

REFERENCES:

  • Cole, Charles, and John D. Gazewood. Diagnosis and treatment of impetigo, 2007.
  • Hartman-Adams, Holly, Christine Banvard, and Gregory Juckett., Impetigo: diagnosis and treatment, 2014.
  • Amagai, Masayuki, Toxin in bullous impetigo and staphylococcal scalded-skin syndrome targets desmoglein ,2000.
  • Kent JT, Repertory of Homoeopathic Materia Medica, B Jain publishers.
  • Clarke, A practical dictionary of Materia Medica, B Jain publishers.
  • Hahnemann S (1982) Organon of Medicine, 6th ed. B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi.

Dr Amala.A
Department Of Paediatrics
Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital,Deralakatte, Mangaluru- 575018
Under The Guidance Of: Dr. Jyoshna Shivaprasad, Professor And HOD, Paediatrics

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