Impetigo what is it

You might be exposed to the bacteria that cause impetigo when you come into contact with the sores of someone who's infected or with items they've touched — such as clothing, bed linen, towels and even toys. Impetigo typically isn't dangerous. And the sores in mild forms of the infection generally heal without scarring.

Keeping skin clean is the best way to keep it healthy. It's important to wash cuts, scrapes, insect bites and other wounds right away. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Impetigo Open pop-up dialog box Close. Impetigo Impetigo starts as a reddish sore that ruptures, oozes for a few days and then forms a honey-colored crust. Bullous impetigo Open pop-up dialog box Close. Bullous impetigo Bullous impetigo causes fluid-filled blisters — often on the trunk, arms and legs of infants and children younger than 2 years.

Ecthyma Open pop-up dialog box Close. Ecthyma A more serious form of impetigo, called ecthyma, penetrates deeper into the skin — causing painful fluid- or pus-filled sores that turn into deep ulcers. These include:. Here are a few other contagious skin conditions. Toddlers are the most likely age group to develop impetigo. The infection looks different on young children than it does on adults. In young children, often the cause is scratching at an insect bite or scrape on the skin.

Scratching allows bacteria to get into the skin. There are three types of impetigo based on the bacteria that cause them and the sores they form. Each type goes through a series of stages. Nonbullous impetigo is mainly caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This more serious infection is much less common. Antibiotics are the main treatment for impetigo, but you may be able to help the infection heal faster with home treatments in addition to treatment recommended by your doctor. Clean and soak the sores three to four times a day until the sores heal.

Gently clean the sores with warm water and soap, and then remove the crusts. Wash your hands thoroughly after treating the sores to avoid spreading the infection. Dry the area and apply the prescription antibiotic ointment as directed. Then cover the sores lightly with gauze if they are in an area where you can do this.

For a minor outbreak, you can use an over-the-counter OTC antibiotic ointment , Apply it three times a day after cleaning the area. Then cover the sore with a bandage or gauze. Another home treatment is a minute bath with a very dilute solution of household bleach 2. This reduces the number of bacteria on the skin, if you use it regularly.

A number of home remedies are also available at your drugstore or natural products store. The open sores are highly contagious. Scratching the sores can spread the infection from one place on your skin to another, or to another person. The infection can also spread from anything an infected person touches. Because it spreads so easily, impetigo is sometimes called the school disease.

It can quickly spread from child to child in a classroom or day care center where children are in close contact. For the same reason, it also spreads easily in families. If you or your child has impetigo, wash and disinfect everything the infection might come into contact with, including clothes, bedding, towels, toys, or sports equipment.

Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin can usually clear up impetigo in a few days and shorten the length of time that the disease is contagious. Oral antibiotics stop the infection from being contagious after 24 to 48 hours. Like impetigo, cold sores are blisters that form around your mouth.

You might also see them on your nose or fingers. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus HSV. Antiviral creams and pills treat cold sores if necessary. You can spread or catch the virus that causes cold sores though kissing. The sores remain infectious until they crust over, so avoid kissing anyone who has never had cold sores until that time. The three types of impetigo are non-bullous crusted , bullous large blisters , and ecthyma ulcers : Non-bullous or crusted impetigo is most common.

It begins as tiny blisters that eventually burst and leave small wet patches of red skin that may weep fluid. Gradually, a yellowish-brown or tan crust covers the area, making it look like it has been coated with honey or brown sugar. Bullous impetigo causes larger fluid-containing blisters that look clear, then cloudy. These blisters are more likely to stay longer on the skin without bursting. Ecthyma impetigo looks like "punched out" ulcers with yellow crust and red edges.

Is Impetigo Contagious? How Is Impetigo Treated? Impetigo is typically treated with antibiotics, either as an ointment or a medicine taken by mouth: When it just affects a small area of the skin and especially if it's the non-bullous form , impetigo is treated with antibiotic ointment for 5 days.

If the infection has spread to other areas of the body or the ointment isn't working, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic pill or liquid to be taken for 7—10 days. Can Impetigo Be Prevented?

When Should I Call the Doctor? After the crusts dry, they leave a red mark that usually fades without scarring. The time it takes for the redness to disappear can vary between a few days and a few weeks. The sores aren't painful, but they may be itchy. It's important not to touch or scratch the sores because this can spread the infection to other parts of the body, and to other people.

Other symptoms, such as a high temperature fever and swollen glands , are rare but can occur in more severe cases. The symptoms of bullous impetigo begin with the appearance of fluid-filled blisters bullae which usually occur on the central part of the body between the waist and neck, or on the arms and legs.

The blisters are usually about cm across. The blisters may quickly spread, before bursting after several days to leave a yellow crust that usually heals without leaving any scarring. The blisters may be painful and the area of skin surrounding them may be itchy.

As with non-bullous impetigo, it's important not to touch or scratch the affected areas of the skin. Impetigo isn't usually serious and can be treated by a pharmacist.

Your pharmacist may recommend that you contact your GP practice if required. Impetigo occurs when the skin becomes infected with bacteria, usually either Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes.

The bacteria can be spread easily through close contact with someone who has the infection, such as through direct physical contact, or by sharing towels or flannels. As the condition doesn't cause any symptoms until four to 10 days after initial exposure to the bacteria, it's often easily spread to others unintentionally.

Children and people with diabetes or a weakened immune system — either due to a condition such as HIV or a treatment such as chemotherapy — are most at risk of developing impetigo.

However, treatment is often recommended because it can reduce the length of the illness to around seven to 10 days and can lower the risk of the infection being spread to others.

The main treatments prescribed are antibiotic creams or antibiotic tablets. These usually have to be used for around a week. Read about treating impetigo. During treatment, it's important to take precautions to minimise the risk of impetigo spreading to other people or to other areas of the body. Most people are no longer contagious after 48 hours of treatment or once their sores have dried and healed. It's important to stay away from work, school, nursery or playgroup until this point.

If you think that the infection has spread to someone else, make sure they're seen by a pharmacist as soon as possible. To reduce the risk of impetigo returning, make sure any cuts, scratches or bites are kept clean. Ensure any condition that causes broken skin, such as eczema, is treated promptly. If you develop impetigo frequently, your doctor may suggest taking a swab from around your nose to see if you carry staphylococcal bacteria.

These bacteria can live in the noses of some people without causing problems, although they can lead to impetigo if they infect broken skin nearby. If you're found to carry these bacteria, you may be prescribed an antiseptic nasal cream to apply several times a day for five to 10 days in an attempt to clear the bacteria and reduce the chances of impetigo recurring. Complications of impetigo are rare, but they can sometimes occur and can be serious. Tell your pharmacist if you have impetigo and your symptoms change or get worse.

In very rare cases, impetigo may lead to some scarring, particularly if you scratch at the blisters, crusts or sores. Impetigo does not cause any symptoms until four to 10 days after you first become infected. This means that people can easily pass the infection on to others without realising it. There are two main types of impetigo, known as non-bullous and bullous impetigo, which have different symptoms.

Most people with impetigo have the non-bullous type. After the crusts dry, they leave a red mark that usually heals without scarring. The sores are not painful, but they may be itchy. It is important not to touch, or scratch, the sores because this can spread the infection to other parts of your body, and to other people. The symptoms of bullous impetigo begin with the appearance of fluid-filled blisters bullae which usually occur on the trunk the central part of the body between the waist and neck or on the arms and legs.

As with non-bullous impetigo, it is important that you do not touch or scratch the affected areas of the skin. As the condition does not cause any symptoms until four to 10 days after initial exposure to the bacteria, it is often easily spread to others unintentionally.