Impetigo (im-puh-TIE-go) is a common and highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects infants and children. Impetigo usually appears as red sores on the face, especially around a child’s nose and mouth, and on hands and feet. The sores burst and develop honey-colored crusts.
A less common form of the disorder, called bullous impetigo, may feature larger blisters that occur on the trunk of infants and young children.
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
Treatment FAQs:
How is impetigo diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based primarily on the appearance of the skin lesion. A culture of the skin or mucosal lesion usually grows streptococcus or staphylococcus.
Can impetigo be treated?
The goal is to cure the infection and relieve the symptoms. A mild infection may be treated with a prescription antibacterial cream. More severe cases may require antibiotics, taken by mouth. Wash the skin several times a day, preferably with an antibacterial soap, to remove crusts and drainage.