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Health A to Z. Impetigo is a skin infection that's very contagious but not usually serious. Anyone can get it, but it's more common in young children. With treatment, impetigo often gets better in a few days. Check if you have impetigo. Impetigo starts with red sores or blisters, but the redness may be harder to see on brown and black skin.
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What is impetigo and what are the symptoms? Impetigo is the most common skin infection among young children in the UK (NHS 2018). It's not usually serious, but it is very contagious (NHS 2018). There are two types of impetigo infection: non-bullous impetigo and bullous impetigo (NHS 2018, NICE 2015).
- What Is Impetigo?
- What Does Impetigo Look like?
- How Common Is Impetigo?
- Is Impetigo Contagious?
- Impetigo Treatment
- Some Uncommon Aspects of Impetigo
- Some Things to Look Out For
Impetigo is a skin infection. It is usually caused by a germ (bacterium). Often, one of the following three types of bacterial infection is responsible for impetigo: 1. Staphylococcus aureus (the most common cause). 2. Streptococcus pyogenes (also known as group Astreptococcus). 3. Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This is a newer ...
Non-bullous impetigo
This is the most common form of impetigo. The rash typically appears 4-10 days after you have been infected with bacteria. Small fluid-filled blisters develop at first. You may not see the blisters, as they usually burst to leave red sores and scabby patches on the skin. Sometimes only one or two patches develop. They often look like moist, golden crusts (like cornflakes) stuck on to the skin. An area of redness (inflammation) may develop under each patch. Sometimes the affected area is just...
Bullous impetigo
This type of impetigo tends to look like larger blisters. The skin on the top of these blisters is very thin and peels off, leaving large red raw areas underneath. It may occur on your face, arms, legs, or bottom. It is more likely in areas which already have another skin condition, such as eczema.
Ecthyma
This is a more uncommon type of impetigo where the breaks in the skin are quite deep, forming ulcers.
Impetigo commonly occurs in children but it can affect anyone at any age. It occurs more commonly in warm humid weather.
Impetigo is contagious, which means it can be passed on by touching. Sometimes outbreaks occur in families or in people who live in close communities, such as army barracks. You are more prone to develop impetigo if you have diabetesor if you have a weakened immune system (for example, if you are having chemotherapy).
There is a good chance that impetigo will clear without treatment after 2-3 weeks. However, treatment is usually advised as impetigo is contagious and severe infection sometimes develops. Hydrogen peroxide 1% cream can be used for localised non-bullous impetigo if you are not feeling unwell. Impetigo can also be treated with antibiotics. A medicati...
If treatment does not work
Tell your doctor if the initial treatment for impetigo does not work. A possible cause for this is if the germ (bacterium) causing the infection is resistant to the prescribed cream or tablet. A switch to a different antibiotic is sometimes needed if the first does not work. Sometimes your doctor will take a swab to see which germ is causing the infection. A swab is a small ball of cotton wool on the end of a stick which is used to obtain mucus and cells. This sample is examined under a micro...
If your impetigo returns
It is common for children to have one or two bouts of impetigo at some stage. However, some people have recurring bouts of impetigo. A possible cause for this is that the bacteria that cause the infection can sometimes live in ('colonise') the nose. They do no harm there but sometimes spread out and multiply on the face to cause impetigo. If this is suspected, your doctor may take a swab of the nose. The swab is then sent to the laboratory to look for certain colonising bacteria. If necessary...
Another skin infection called cellulitis is sometimes mistaken for impetigo. Cellulitis is a 'deeper' skin infection. Normally, with cellulitis the area of skin affected is larger, the skin is red, swollen and tender and there are not usually any blisters or crusts like impetigo. Cellulitis usually needs prompt treatment. See the separate leaflet c...
Impetigo is the most common skin infection in young children in the UK, but it can affect people of all ages. Symptoms of impetigo There are 2 types of impetigo:
Apr 19, 2023 · Impetigo (im-puh-TIE-go) is a common and highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects infants and young children. It usually appears as reddish sores on the face, especially around the nose and mouth and on the hands and feet.
Definition. Causes. Prevalence. Prognosis. Complications. Impetigo: Summary. Impetigo is a common, superficial, and highly contagious bacterial skin infection. There are two main types of impetigo: non-bullous and bullous. Non-bullous impetigo (70% of cases) is caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, or a combination of both.
Nov 30, 2023 · Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection that causes sores and blisters, especially in children. Learn about the types, signs, complications, and how to treat and prevent impetigo.
