Impetigo: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Impetigo is a superficial, contagious bacterial skin infection, considered among the most common skin infections in children, especially at preschool and school age, but may affect adults too. It is caused by bacteria (often staphylococcus or streptococcus) that enter the skin through small cracks, scratches, insect bites, or wounds, or even through intact skin in hot humid weather. Impetigo affects the surface layer of the skin, so it usually leaves no scars when treated properly.

Impetigo appears in two main forms: the most common form begins with small red blisters or spots that rapidly develop into sores that burst and ooze fluid, then yellow or golden-brown honey-colored crusts form over them, the characteristic sign of impetigo, often appearing around the nose and mouth and on the face, hands, and limbs. The bullous form appears as larger fluid-filled blisters. Impetigo is often accompanied by itching, and scratching helps spread the infection to other areas of the body and to other people via the fingers and items. It is important to know that impetigo is very contagious, so keeping the infected child away from school or daycare until treatment begins and the infection decreases is advised.

Impetigo is often diagnosed clinically from the appearance of the lesions and their characteristic crusts. It responds well to treatment, which depends on its severity and spread: in mild limited cases a topical antibiotic ointment or cream with cleaning the area often suffices, while more widespread or severe cases need an oral antibiotic determined by the doctor, with completing the full course. Healing and preventing spread are helped by: gently cleaning the affected areas, covering them, trimming the child's nails and preventing them from scratching, washing hands well, not sharing towels, clothes, and items, and washing them with hot water. Although impetigo is usually not dangerous and heals completely, neglecting it may rarely lead to complications, so seeing a doctor to start appropriate treatment is advised.

• Small red blisters developing into sores that burst and ooze fluid.
• Yellow or golden honey-colored crusts (the characteristic sign).
• Often appearing around the nose and mouth, face, and hands.
• Itching that helps spread the infection.

• A bacterial infection (often staphylococcus or streptococcus).
• Bacteria entering through cracks, scratches, bites, or wounds.
• Easy spread by contact, especially in hot humid weather.

• Diagnosis is often clinical from the appearance of the lesions and their characteristic crusts.
• Sometimes a swab of the lesion to identify the bacteria in resistant or recurrent cases.

Mild limited cases

• A topical antibiotic ointment or cream with gently cleaning the area.

More widespread or severe cases

• An oral antibiotic determined by the doctor with completing the full course.

Preventing spread

• Covering the lesions, trimming nails and preventing scratching, washing hands, and not sharing towels and clothes.

This content is educational and does not replace medical advice.

• Spread of infection to one's own body or to others.
• Rarely a deeper infection or kidney complications after some bacteria types.
• A secondary infection from scratching.

• Hand washing, good hygiene, and cleaning wounds and scratches.
• Not sharing towels, clothes, and items, and washing them with hot water.
• Keeping the infected child away from school until treatment begins and the infection decreases.