Antibiotics can also help protect others from getting sick. Impetigo is a skin infection caused by one or both of the following bacteria: group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. This page focuses on impetigo caused by group A Streptococcus group A strep. In addition to impetigo, group A strep cause many other types of infections.
When group A strep infects the skin, it causes sores. The bacteria can spread to others if someone touches those sores or comes into contact with fluid from the sores. Impetigo starts as a red, itchy sore. In general, impetigo is a mild infection that can occur anywhere on the body. It most often affects exposed skin, such as around the nose and mouth or on the arms or legs. Symptoms include red, itchy sores that break open and leak a clear fluid or pus for a few days. Doctors typically diagnose impetigo by looking at the sores physical examination.
Lab tests are not needed. Impetigo is treated with antibiotics that are either rubbed onto the sores topical antibiotics or taken by mouth oral antibiotics. A doctor might recommend a topical ointment, such as mupirocin or retapamulin, for only a few sores. Oral antibiotics can be used when there are more sores. Very rarely, kidney problems post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis can be a complication of impetigo.
If someone has this complication, it usually starts one to two weeks after the skin sores go away. 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.
It's important not to touch or scratch the sores because this can spread the infection to other parts of the body, and to other people.
Other symptoms, such as a high temperature fever and swollen glands , are rare but can occur in more severe cases. The symptoms of bullous impetigo begin with the appearance of fluid-filled blisters bullae which usually occur on the central part of the body between the waist and neck, or on the arms and legs.
The blisters are usually about cm across. The blisters may quickly spread, before bursting after several days to leave a yellow crust that usually heals without leaving any scarring. The blisters may be painful and the area of skin surrounding them may be itchy.
As with non-bullous impetigo, it's important not to touch or scratch the affected areas of the skin. Impetigo isn't usually serious and can be treated by a pharmacist. Your pharmacist may recommend that you contact your GP practice if required.
Impetigo occurs when the skin becomes infected with bacteria, usually either Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. The bacteria can be spread easily through close contact with someone who has the infection, such as through direct physical contact, or by sharing towels or flannels. As the condition doesn't cause any symptoms until four to 10 days after initial exposure to the bacteria, it's often easily spread to others unintentionally.
Children and people with diabetes or a weakened immune system — either due to a condition such as HIV or a treatment such as chemotherapy — are most at risk of developing impetigo.
However, treatment is often recommended because it can reduce the length of the illness to around seven to 10 days and can lower the risk of the infection being spread to others. The main treatments prescribed are antibiotic creams or antibiotic tablets.
These usually have to be used for around a week. Read about treating impetigo. During treatment, it's important to take precautions to minimise the risk of impetigo spreading to other people or to other areas of the body. Most people are no longer contagious after 48 hours of treatment or once their sores have dried and healed. It's important to stay away from work, school, nursery or playgroup until this point. If you think that the infection has spread to someone else, make sure they're seen by a pharmacist as soon as possible.
To reduce the risk of impetigo returning, make sure any cuts, scratches or bites are kept clean. Ensure any condition that causes broken skin, such as eczema, is treated promptly. If you develop impetigo frequently, your doctor may suggest taking a swab from around your nose to see if you carry staphylococcal bacteria.
These bacteria can live in the noses of some people without causing problems, although they can lead to impetigo if they infect broken skin nearby. If you're found to carry these bacteria, you may be prescribed an antiseptic nasal cream to apply several times a day for five to 10 days in an attempt to clear the bacteria and reduce the chances of impetigo recurring. Complications of impetigo are rare, but they can sometimes occur and can be serious.
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. Hand sanitizers should be okay, too, but children will likely be much more resistant to them.
This will keep bacteria from getting under the nail and spreading when the child scratches other parts of the body. Other people in the household should also avoid sharing towels and sheets if one child has impetigo, and dirty laundry should be washed at a temperature of at least degrees F.
By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: June 7, Medically Reviewed. Typically, How Is Impetigo Diagnosed? What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Impetigo? Non-bullous impetigo sores are not painful, but bullous blisters can be. Is Impetigo Contagious, and if So, How? Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. November 1, PubMed Health. Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
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