Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017 | 
Impetigo
Streptococcus - impetigo; Strep - impetigo; Staph - impetigo; Staphylococcus - impetigo
Impetigo is a common skin infection.
Causes
Impetigo is caused by streptococcus (strep) or staphylococcus (staph) bacteria. Methicillin-resistant staph aureus ( MRSA ) is becoming a common cause.
MRSA
MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA is a "staph" germ that does not get better with the type of antibiotics that usual...
Skin normally has many types of bacteria on it. When there is a break in the skin, bacteria can enter the body and grow there. This causes inflammation and infection. Breaks in the skin may occur from injury or trauma to the skin or from insect, animal, or human bites.
Impetigo may also occur on skin where there is no visible break.
Impetigo is most common in children who live in unhealthy conditions.
In adults, it may occur following another skin problem. It may also develop after a cold or other virus.
Impetigo can spread to others. You can catch the infection from someone who has it if the fluid that oozes from their skin blisters touches an open area on your skin.
Symptoms
Symptoms of impetigo are:
- One or many blisters that are filled with pus and easy to pop. In infants, the skin is reddish or raw-looking where a blister has broken.
-
Blisters that itch, are filled with yellow or honey-colored fluid, and ooze and crust over.
Rash
that may begin as a single spot, but spreads to other areas with scratching.
Rash
A rash is a change in the color or texture of the skin. A skin rash can be BumpyFlatRed, skin-colored, or slightly lighter or darker than skin color...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Skin sores
on the face, lips, arms, or legs that spread to other areas.
Skin sores
Rashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Swollen lymph nodes near the infection.
- Patches of impetigo on the body (in children).
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will look at your skin to determine if you have impetigo.
Your provider may take a sample of bacteria from your skin to grow in the lab. This can help determine if MRSA is the cause. Specific antibiotics are needed to treat this type of bacteria.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to get rid of the infection and relieve your symptoms.
Your provider will prescribe an antibacterial cream. You may need to take antibiotics by mouth if the infection is severe.
Gently wash (DO NOT scrub) your skin several times a day. Use an antibacterial soap to remove crusts and drainage.
Outlook (Prognosis)
The sores of impetigo heal slowly. Scars are rare. The cure rate is very high, but the problem often comes back in young children.
Possible Complications
Impetigo may lead to:
- Spread of the infection to other parts of the body (common)
-
Kidney inflammation or failure
(rare)
Kidney inflammation or failure
Acute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Permanent skin damage and scarring (very rare)
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if you have symptoms of impetigo.
Prevention
Prevent the spread of infection.
- If you have impetigo, always use a clean washcloth and towel each time you wash.
- DO NOT share towels, clothing, razors, and other personal care products with anyone.
- Avoid touching blisters that are oozing.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after touching infected skin.
Keep your skin clean to prevent getting the infection. Wash minor cuts and scrapes well with soap and clean water. You can use a mild antibacterial soap.
References
Habif TP. Bacterial infections. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 9.
Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF. Cutaneous bacterial infections. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 665.
Pasternack MS, Swartz MN. Cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, and subcutaneous tissue infections. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, Updated Edition . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 95.
-
Impetigo, bullous on the buttocks - illustration
Impetigo is a superficial skin infection caused by either streptococci or staphylococci. Here it is on the buttocks, but it is seen more frequently in children on the face, upper chest, and arms. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Impetigo, bullous on the buttocks
illustration
-
Impetigo on a child's face - illustration
Impetigo is a highly contagious disease caused by streptococcus or staphylococcus bacteria. It causes a superficial skin infection which appears red with yellow or golden crusts. It is seen frequently in children on the face, upper trunk, and arms. Note that the nose is also infected.
Impetigo on a child's face
illustration
-
Impetigo, bullous on the buttocks - illustration
Impetigo is a superficial skin infection caused by either streptococci or staphylococci. Here it is on the buttocks, but it is seen more frequently in children on the face, upper chest, and arms. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Impetigo, bullous on the buttocks
illustration
-
Impetigo on a child's face - illustration
Impetigo is a highly contagious disease caused by streptococcus or staphylococcus bacteria. It causes a superficial skin infection which appears red with yellow or golden crusts. It is seen frequently in children on the face, upper trunk, and arms. Note that the nose is also infected.
Impetigo on a child's face
illustration
Review Date: 10/24/2016
Reviewed By: David L. Swanson, MD, Vice Chair of Medical Dermatology, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Medical School, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
