What is impetigo disease

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.

Impetigo stops being infectious after 48 hours of treatment starting or after the sores have stopped blistering or crusting. In addition to the situations mentioned above, there are a number of other factors that can increase your chances of developing impetigo. These include:. Treatment is often recommended as it can help clear up the infection in around seven to 10 days and reduce the risk of the infection being passed on to others.

If impetigo is confirmed, it can usually be effectively treated with antibiotics. If the infection is being caused by an underlying skin condition, such as eczema , this may also need to be treated. For mild cases of impetigo that cover a small area, antibiotic cream is often recommended. This usually needs to be applied three or four times a day for seven days.

Before applying the cream, wash any affected areas of skin with warm, soapy water and try to clean off any crusts that have developed. To reduce the risk of spreading the infection, it's also important that you wash your hands immediately after applying the cream or, if available, wear latex gloves while applying the cream.

If symptoms haven't improved after seven days of starting treatment, ask your pharmacist about other possible treatment options. Antibiotic tablets may be prescribed if the infection is more severe and widespread, or if the symptoms don't improve after using antibiotic cream. These usually need to be taken two to four times a day for seven days. If a course of oral antibiotics is prescribed for you or your child, it's very important that the course is finished even if the symptoms clear up before you've taken all the tablets.

Speak to your pharmacist if your symptoms haven't improved after seven days of treatment with antibiotic tablets. Further tests are usually only required in cases where the infection is severe or widespread, doesn't respond to treatment, or keeps recurring.

In these circumstances, your GP may refer you to a dermatologist skin specialist for further tests or they may take a swab of the affected skin themselves for testing. This can help to rule out or confirm other skin conditions that may be responsible for your symptoms and can detect whether you carry one of the types of bacteria responsible for the infection inside your nose.

If your doctor thinks you may keep getting impetigo because you naturally have these bacteria inside your nose, they may prescribe you an antiseptic nasal cream to try to clear the bacteria. Cellulitis occurs when the infection spreads to a deeper layer of skin. It can cause symptoms of red, inflamed skin with fever and pain. It can usually be treated with antibiotics, and painkillers can be used to relieve pain.

Guttate psoriasis is a non-infectious skin condition that can develop in children and teenagers after a bacterial infection. It is usually more common after a throat infection, but some cases have been linked to impetigo. Guttate psoriasis causes small, red, droplet-shaped, scaly patches on the chest, arms, legs and scalp. Creams can be used to control the symptoms and in some cases the condition will disappear completely after a few weeks.

Scarlet fever is a rare bacterial infection that causes a fine, pink rash across the body. Associated symptoms of infection, such as nausea, pain and vomiting, are also common. The condition is usually treated with antibiotics. Scarlet fever is not usually serious but it is contagious. 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. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.

Show references AskMayoExpert. Mayo Clinic; The sores remain infectious until they crust over, so avoid kissing anyone who has never had cold sores until that time.

Cold sores form in five stages. Learn what to expect after you see one pop up. Essential oils are liquids extracted from plants. Dozens of essential oils have antibacterial properties. This suggests that essential oils may be useful for treating impetigo, though currently there is no research to support this. These products could have advantages over antibiotics, because some of the bacteria that cause impetigo have become resistant to current antibiotic drugs.

Geranium, patchouli, and tea tree oil are a few of the essential oils that may be helpful for treating impetigo. Before you try any essential oil or other alternative treatment, talk to your doctor.

Some of these products can cause side effects, and they may not be safe for everyone. More than 90 different types of essential oils exist.

Each has its own unique health benefits. Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. The name refers to the ring-like shape of the red, raised skin patches it produces. You can catch ringworm through direct contact or by sharing personal items with people who are infected. The typical treatment is with an antifungal skin cream.

Some products are available over the counter. Others require a prescription from your doctor. Ringworm is an itchy, annoying problem. Good hygiene can help prevent it from starting or coming back. Erysipelas is a bacterial infection that affects the upper layers of skin. Similar to impetigo, these bacteria sneak into the skin through an open wound or crack.

Doctors typically prescribe oral antibiotics to treat the infection. More severe cases may need to be treated with IV antibiotics in a hospital. Treatment is usually very effective at eliminating the infection. Not treating erysipelas can increase your risk for serious complications. Instead, it can be a reaction to substances in your environment, like detergent, metal, or latex, or it may be associated with allergies or asthma.

One type called dyshidrotic eczema causes tiny fluid-filled blisters to form on your hands or feet. These blisters may itch or hurt. People who have allergies are more likely to get eczema. Avoiding the substance that caused the skin reaction can prevent it in the future. Eczema comes in seven different types.

Learn how to identify them. It clears up faster with antibiotics and requires good hygiene to prevent it from spreading. Bacitracin and Neosporin can help you keep an infection at bay. Learn the differences between these two common over-the-counter antibiotics.

Learn about post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. People can get impetigo more than once. Having impetigo does not protect someone from getting it again in the future. While there is no vaccine to prevent impetigo, there are things people can do to protect themselves and others.

Keep sores caused by impetigo covered in order to help prevent spreading group A strep to others. If you have scabies, treating that infection will also help prevent impetigo.

Appropriate personal hygiene and frequent body and hair washing with soap and clean, running water is important to help prevent impetigo. The best way to keep from getting or spreading group A strep is to wash your hands often. This is especially important after coughing or sneezing. To prevent group A strep infections, you should:. You should wash the clothes, linens, and towels of anyone who has impetigo every day.

These items should not be shared with anyone else. After they have been washed, these items are safe for others to use. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation.