Amy Winehouse has been diagnosed with ‘impetigo‘, a highly contagious bacterial skin infection.
I had to learn a little more about this infection and what causes it, and my suspicions were correct. Her cutting herself combined with her poor hygiene is most likely how she caught this infection. Not that I’m a doctor or anything. It’s simply common sense.
Excerpts taken from essortment.com:
What are the symptoms of impetigo?
Usually a cluster of small blisters or red bumps appears first at the site of infection. These blisters will grow and rupture within about twenty-four hours. The skin exposed when the blisters burst appears red and inflamed, and will often leak either pus or a thinner fluid, which may be clear or slightly cloudy. If the infection is left untreated, the lesions may grow quite large, and will almost certainly spread to other parts of the body. Over a period of four to six days, the lesions will begin to form thick tan or honey-colored crusts.
Who is likely to be at risk for contracting impetigo?
Anyone can get impetigo, but it is most commonly found in children, probably because they so often have cuts, scrapes, insect bites, or other minor injuries on their skin from playing outdoors.
Are there other risk factors for developing impetigo?
Because bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, most cases occur during the hot, humid summer months. That is also the time when children are outdoors playing in shorts and short-sleeved shirts, so they are more likely to have small skin injuries that provide an opening for the bacteria.
Poor nutrition, poor personal hygiene, unsanitary living conditions, or an illness that has lowered an individual’s resistance are also risk factors for developing impetigo.
How does one contract impetigo in the first place?Bacteria live on the surface of the skin. If a skin injury is not kept clean, it is an invitation for those bacteria to invade the body and cause infection. Good personal hygiene helps to keep the bacteria in check, both as a preventive measure, and as part of the treatment schedule if one does develop impetigo.
It has been decided that cutting yourself amidst large quantities of dirty underwear is not healthy.
Who knew?
