Condition Basics

What is impetigo?

Impetigo (say "im-puh-TY-go") is a bacterial skin infection. It causes small blisters that can break open, ooze fluid, and form patches of crusty sores. These sores can occur anywhere on the body.

Impetigo is one of the most common skin infections in children. It can occur in adults but is seen far more often in children. Impetigo is very contagious and can be spread to others through close contact or by sharing towels, sheets, clothing, toys, or other items. Scratching can also spread the sores to other parts of the body.

What causes it?

Impetigo is caused by one of two kinds of bacteria—strep (streptococcus) or staph (staphylococcus). Often these bacteria enter the body when the skin has already been irritated or injured because of other skin problems such as eczema, poison ivy, insect bites, burns, or cuts. Children may get impetigo after they have had a cold or allergies that have made the skin under the nose raw. But impetigo can also develop in completely healthy skin.

What are the symptoms?

You or your child may have impetigo if you have sores:

• That begin as small reddish blisters that break open. The sores are typically not painful, but they may be itchy.
• That ooze fluid and form patches of crusty sores that may look yellow, gold, or brown.
• That increase in size and number.

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor can usually diagnose impetigo just by looking at your or your child's skin. Sometimes your doctor will gently remove a small piece of a sore to send to a lab to identify the bacteria. If you or your child has other signs of illness, your doctor may order blood or urine tests.

How is impetigo treated?

Impetigo is treated with antibiotics. For cases of mild impetigo, a doctor will prescribe an antibiotic ointment or cream to put on the sores. For widespread impetigo or cases of impetigo with many blisters, a doctor may also prescribe antibiotic pills.

A child can usually return to school or daycare after 24 hours of treatment. If you apply the ointment or take the pills exactly as prescribed, most sores will be completely healed in 1 week.

At home, gently wash the sores with clean water each day. If crusts form, your doctor may advise you to soften or remove the crusts. You can do this by soaking them in warm water and patting them dry. This can help the cream or ointment work better.

After you touch the area, wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Try not to scratch the sores, because scratching can spread the infection to other parts of the body. You can help prevent scratching by keeping your child's fingernails short. You can cover the sores with a loose bandage. The sores need air to heal.

Call your doctor if you do not get better as expected or if you notice any signs that the infection is getting worse, such as fever, pus, or increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.

How can you prevent it?

If you know someone who has impetigo, try to avoid close contact with that person until the infection has gone away. Do not share towels, sheets, or clothes until the infection is gone. Wash anything that may have touched the infected area.

If you or your child has impetigo, scratching the sores can spread the infection to other areas of your body and to other people. Wash your or your child's hands with soap to help prevent spreading the infection. And cover any blisters that are leaking fluid.