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Impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection caused by two types of bacteria, streptococcus or staphylococcus. The bacteria enter the skin through scratches, small cuts, or insect bites. Anyone can get impetigo, but it normally occurs in young children. It may affect the skin anywhere on the body, but the most common places that it occurs are around the nose and mouth, hands and forearms.

 

An impetigo infection appears 4 to 10 days after exposure. When impetigo is caused by streptococcus, it first appears as tiny blisters that eventually burst and leave small, wet patches of red skin. These patches eventually develop tan or yellowish-brown crusty scab-like covers. When it is caused by staphylococcus, larger fluid-filled blisters appear clear and eventually become cloudy. These blisters usually stay intact longer on the skin without bursting.

Impetigo can be spread through direct contact with the infected skin or anything that has touched the infected skin, such as clothing, towels, sheets, and blankets. It can also be spread to other parts of the body. For example, if a child has impetigo on his or her arm and then touches the other arm, the infection can spread.

It is usually treated with antibacterial ointment that is put on the infection. If the infection has spread to other areas on your child’s skin, your pediatrician may prescribe oral antibiotics.

Wear gloves when treating the infected area. While the infection is healing the area should be washed gently and the crusted areas should be soaked in warm soapy water (if the sores are on the face, apply a wet warm washcloth) for 10 to 15 minutes to soften them, so that you can get rid of the bacteria underneath them. Do not scrub the sores because the scabs can be painful. After the area is clean, apply the antibacterial ointment and cover it with gauze and tape or a loose plastic bandage. Also, make sure to keep your child’s fingernails short and clean so that he or she does not scratch the infected area and spread the infection elsewhere on his or her body.

Impetigo can be prevented through good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and regular baths. It is also pay close attention to rashes, cuts, and insect bites, wash them with soap and water and keep them covered.

Though it is not normally serious, if left untreated impetigo may lead to complications such as cellulitis (a serious skin infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin and may spread to the blood and lymph nodes) or the sores may abscess (which is a deep pus-pocket under the skin) and require a surgical incision and drainage.

If you think your child may have impetigo, call your child’s doctor, especially if he or she has been exposed to a family member or classmate with the infection. If your child is being treated for impetigo, watch the sores carefully and call your doctor if the skin does not begin to heal after 3 days of treatment or if your child develops a fever.