Impetigo: What You Should Know

By Alan S. Peterson, M.D.

What Is Impetigo?

Impetigo is a skin infection caused by bacteria. They can be either strep or staph. It is a rash that starts as a small red spot or bump and turns into a blister frequently. They usually leave a honey-colored crust. Sometimes the blisters can get very large. They usually are on the face or the arms, but also can be in damp areas like the diaper areas or the armpit.

Who Gets It And Why?

Impetigo is most common in children. It is very contagious, and you can get it by touching other people who have it or from surfaces the infected people have touched. It usually starts where you have a cut, scratch, or insect bite. You can spread it on yourself by scratching. It is most common in the summer, and in crowded living conditions, or in areas where it is hard to stay clean.

How Do I Know If I Have Impetigo?

The rash is usually itchy. Sometimes people with impetigo have swollen glands, a fever, or diarrhea. Impetigo can look like fever blisters, rash, burns, or eczema. Your doctor usually can tell if you have impetigo by the way the rash looks and where it is on your body.

How Is Impetigo Treated?

Impetigo is treated with antibiotics. If the rash is small, an antibiotic prescription cream like mupirocin (one brand name: Bactroban) works best. For a larger rash, your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic. Over-the-counter creams don’t work well to treat impetigo.

What Can I Expect?

Even without treatment, the rash almost always goes away without scarring. Treatment helps the rash go away faster and may keep it from spreading to other people. Rarely, some patients may have kidney or other health problems after impetigo.

How Can I Keep From Spreading Impetigo?