Impetigo (say "im-puh-TY-go") is a skin infection caused by bacteria. It causes blisters that break open, ooze fluid, and form patches of crusty sores. These patches may look yellow, gold, or brown.
Impetigo can be anywhere on the body. Scratching the sores may spread the infection to other parts of the body. It can also spread to others through close contact or by sharing towels, clothing, and other items.
Prescription antibiotic ointment or pills can usually cure impetigo.
Impetigo is a skin infection caused by bacteria. The infection often begins when bacteria that normally can be present on the skin enter a small cut or scratch. Impetigo is very contagious.
Symptoms of impetigo include blisters that break open, ooze fluid, and form patches of crusty sores. These patches may look yellow, gold, or brown. The sores can appear anywhere on the body. Scratching the blisters may spread impetigo to other parts of the body. Impetigo is more common in children than adults.
Impetigo is most often treated with antibiotics.
Impetigo begins as sores that form small reddish blisters that break open. The sores are typically not painful, but they may be itchy. They may ooze fluid and form patches of crusty sores that may look yellow, gold, or brown. They may also increase in size and number.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Impetigo (say "im-puh-TY-go") is a bacterial skin infection. It causes blisters that can break open, ooze fluid, and form patches of sores. These sores can occur anywhere on the body. Impetigo is one of the most common skin infections in children. It also can occur in adults. It's easily spread.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
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