Impetigo is a highly transmissible bacterial skin infection that involves blistering. It can occur when bacteria enter the skin through a cut or insect bite, commonly affecting young children. Doctors can treat it with antibiotics.
Impetigo is rarely serious and usually disappears without treatment. However, complications sometimes occur, so a doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or oral antibiotics.
The following images show some of the ways impetigo may appear on the skin.
The main symptoms are blisters or sores around the mouth and nose that burst and ooze before drying up. Other symptoms will depend on the type of impetigo.
There are three types:
- nonbullous
- bullous
- ecthyma
The symptoms of impetigo usually appear
Nonbullous impetigo
Nonbullous impetigo accounts for
As the blisters burst and weep, a honey-colored crust forms. There may also be skin discoloration and swelling in the area.
In rare cases, a person may have a fever and other systemic symptoms.
In
Bullous impetigo
Bullous impetigo begins with small blisters that often affect the trunk of the body. They can also appear on the mouth.
The blisters contain a clear or yellow fluid that becomes cloudy or dark over time. They stay longer without bursting than in nonbullous impetigo.
There is not usually skin discoloration or swelling, and there is no honey-colored crust. However, as a blister bursts, it will leave a mark with a scaly rim.
A fever and other general symptoms may also occur.
Echythema
In this type of impetigo, ulcers develop on the skin and enter the deeper layers.
The ulcers are indented into the skin with red or purple edges and a brown or honey-colored crust. They may produce pus.
Impetigo is
To reduce the risk of a child passing on or acquiring impetigo, a child with the condition should stay home until the lesions heal or at least
To reduce the risk of impetigo transmission, parents and caregivers should ensure that children:
- wash their hands regularly
- avoid scratching or touching any wound or skin lesion
- avoid sharing personal items, such as washcloths or clothing
- clean any wounds with soap and water
- cover any open wounds
If a child has signs of impetigo, parents or caregivers should consult a doctor. If the child has a fever, seek urgent medical help.
In newborns, meningitis can sometimes develop.
A doctor can usually diagnose impetigo by looking at the symptoms.
They will:
- examine the affected area
- ask about any recent cuts, scrapes, or insect bites
- see if another skin condition is present, such as scabies
If symptoms are severe, persistent, or recurring, the doctor may perform a swab test to identify which bacteria are present. This can help find the right antibiotic to treat the issue and rule out other possible causes, such as a fungal infection.
Treatment aims to:
- speed up healing
- improve the skin’s appearance
- stop the spread of the infection
- prevent complications
Treatment is usually with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic will depend on the bacteria present and the severity of the symptoms.
Without treatment, the infection usually disappears in
In most cases, there will not be any scars, although the skin may be discolored, which can be temporary.
Topical antibiotics
Topical antibiotics are ointments that are applied directly to the skin. Examples include mupirocin (Bactroban) and retapamulin (Altabax).
Before applying the ointment, a person should wash the affected areas of skin with warm, soapy water. This allows the ingredients to penetrate more effectively.
If possible, a person should wear gloves when applying the cream and wash their hands thoroughly after applying the ointment.
Oral antibiotics
Oral antibiotics are rarely necessary to treat impetigo. A doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics if symptoms are severe or have not responded to topical treatment.
The type of antibiotic will depend on:
- the severity of the symptoms
- the type of bacteria present
- the individual’s overall health
- whether they have any allergies
A course of antibiotics usually lasts at least 5 days. It is essential to complete the course even if symptoms clear up early. Otherwise, symptoms may return.
Some strains of Staphylococcus aureus are resistant to antibiotics. This can make an infection difficult to treat.
Impetigo happens when the bacteria that causes the infection enters the skin directly or through a break in the skin. They may enter through a wound, an insect bite, or lesions caused by another condition, such as eczema or scabies.
The bacteria that cause the infection are either S. aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes.
S. aureus exists harmlessly on human skin, and S. pyogenes is present in the regular mouth flora. However, they can cause infection when there is a cut or wound.
Impetigo is
- spend time closely together, such as in a day care center
- live in a warm, humid climate
- have scabies, eczema, or other skin conditions
People with a weakened immune system may have a higher risk of acquiring impetigo or developing severe symptoms or complications.
Impetigo can be transmitted to others or spread to other body parts through physical touch. Once the sores and blisters appear, the condition is highly transmissible. However, once a person has been taking antibiotics for 24 to 48 hours, they will no longer be able to pass on the condition.
A person can acquire impetigo from another person by:
- touching an item that the person with an infection has used, such as a facecloth
- having physical contact with a person who has impetigo
Anyone with symptoms should stay home and follow the doctor’s advice on treatment.
Complications are rare. A
Other potential complications include:
- septic arthritis
- sepsis
- scarlet fever
- staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
Some of these can become life threatening. If new symptoms appear or if symptoms persist or worsen, a person should speak with their doctor.
Tips for preventing impetigo include washing any cuts, scrapes, grazes, or insect bites at once and keeping them clean.
If somebody has impetigo, they can help prevent its spread to other parts of the body and transmission to others by:
- Washing the affected areas with a neutral soap and running water and cover lightly with gauze, if possible.
- Avoiding touching the blisters.
- Keeping personal items separate and washing them daily at 140°F (60°C) or higher.
- Using gloves when applying ointment, and washing hands thoroughly afterward.
- Keeping nails short to discourage scratching.
- Washing the hands often.
- Staying home from school or work until the lesions have dried up or the doctor says the person can return.
Impetigo can appear similar to other conditions:
- blisters on the lips can look similar to cold sores
- itchy, dry, or cracked skin can appear similar to eczema
- itchy blisters can look like shingles or chicken pox
Impetigo is highly transmissible, and an adult can contract the infection from a child. Anyone looking after a child with impetigo should practice good hygiene and take steps to help prevent the infection from transmitting to others.
While a person may hear about alternative remedies for impetigo, there is not enough evidence to show these work. A person should follow a doctor’s instructions regarding treatment to help prevent transmitting the infection.
Impetigo is a common and highly transmissible infection that causes blistering on the skin. It mostly affects children but can occur at any age.
It does not usually lead to complications, but people with a weakened immune system may have a higher risk of severe symptoms.
If a person has impetigo, they should seek medical help to treat symptoms and prevent it from transmitting to others.