Impetigo is a skin infection. It often appear as blisters around the mouth and nose but it can infect skin anywhere on the body. Impetigo can easily spread from one person to another. This infection occurs most often in children.
Impetigo: Sores on the Upper Lip
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
Impetigo is caused by bacteria. The most common type of bacteria associated with this infection include:
These types of bacteria are normally found on the skin and in the nose. The bacteria does not cause trouble until it gets under the skin. Bacteria gets in under the skin through small cuts, scratches, or insect bites.
Factors that increase your chance for impetigo include:
Symptoms of impetigo appear 4-10 days after contact with the bacteria.
The main signs of impetigo are skin lesions. They occur most often on the face, arms, or legs but can appear anywhere on the body. The lesions may be red spots, sores, or blisters. The lesion may:
Impetigo is normally a fairly mild condition. However, further problems could develop if it is not treated. The infection could spread. This can lead to pain, swelling, pus, or fever. Rarely, impetigo that is caused by Group A
may develop into:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. The skin lesions will be examined. Your doctor will be able to diagnose impetigo by the look of your skin lesions.
Your doctor may test a sample of the infected skin. This will show what specific bacteria are causing the infection. It may help to guide treatment choices.
The goals of treatment are to relieve the symptoms and cure the infection.
Antibiotics are a type of medicine that can fight bacteria. For a mild infection your doctor may recommend:
Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics, such as:
In some cases, staphylococcal infections (such as
) may be resistant to these antibiotics. Others options may be needed.
Good skin care is important with this type of infection. It can help prevent the spread of the infection to other areas of your skin or to others. In general:
To help avoid spreading the infection:
Prevention of impetigo involves good personal hygiene. The following tips can help:
American Academy of Dermatologyhttp://www.aad.org/
Kid's Health for Parents (Nemours Foundation)http://www.kidshealth.org/
Canadian Dermatology Associationhttp://www.dermatology.ca/
American Osteopathic Association website. Available at:
Accessed July 27, 2012
Impetigo. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
. Updated March 15, 2012. Accessed July 27, 2012.
Koning S, van der Wouden JC, Chosidow O, Twynholm M, Singh KP, Scangarella N, Oranje AP. Efficacy and safety of retapamulin ointment as treatment of impetigo: randomized double-blind multicentre placebo-controlled trial.
Br J Dermatol
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website. Available at:
. Updated April 2008. Accessed July 27, 2012.