Impetigo

What does impetigo look like?

Small blisters develop at first. You may not see blisters as they soon burst to leave scabby patches on the skin. Sometimes only one or two patches develop. They look like moist, golden crusts stuck onto the skin. An area of redness (inflammation) may develop under each patch. The face is the most common area affected but impetigo can occur on any part of the skin.

Patches of impetigo vary in size, but are usually quite small - a centimetre or so to begin with. Smaller 'satellite' patches may develop around an existing patch and spread outwards. If left untreated, the rash may spread and become worse.

Who gets impetigo?

Impetigo can affect anyone, but it mainly occurs in children. The bacteria (bugs) that cause impetigo are common. They are often present on the skin in small numbers, causing no harm. However, the bacteria sometimes invade the skin to cause infection. This is more likely if you have a cut or graze which can allow bacteria to get under the surface of the skin.

What is the treatment for impetigo?

An antibiotic cream is the usual treatment if there are only a few small patches of impetigo on the skin. The crusts should be cleaned off with water before applying the cream. This allows the antibiotic to penetrate into the skin.

Antibiotic liquid medicine or tablets may be prescribed if the rash is more widespread.

What can I do?

Impetigo is contagious (can be passed on by touching):

• Try not to touch patches of impetigo, and do not allow other children to touch them.
• Wash your hands after touching a patch of impetigo, and after applying antibiotic cream.
• Don`t share towels, flannels, etc, until the infection has gone.
• Children should be kept off school or nursery until treatment is underway, and there is no more blistering or crusting developing. (This may be for a day or so after you start treatment.)

© EMIS and PIP 2004   Updated: November 2002   CHIQ Accredited