Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptoms and PicturesSimilar ConditionsCausesRisk FactorsDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms and Pictures
Similar Conditions
Causes
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Prevention
Impetigo pictures can give you a fairly good idea of what this condition looks like.
Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection that causes sores and a honey-colored crust or blister-like bumps. It can be itchy and painful, and it occurs when skin—especially already irritated or broken skin—comes in contact with a common type ofstaphor the bacteria responsible forstrep throat.
This article describes the types of impetigo and shares pictures of impetigo to help illustrate the symptoms. It also discusses similar conditions, causes, and risks factors. You’ll learn how impetigo is diagnosed, treated, and prevented, plus what to expect if a child has it or you do.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoImpetigo on a child’s arm.Matthew Roberge / Getty Images
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Types of Impetigo
Impetigo can happen to anyone, but it typically affects infants and children and is most common in those ages 2 to 5 years.It is classified based on the appearance of the infected skin and how deep the infection goes intoskin layers.
If untreated, impetigo can develop intoecthyma. Ecthyma is a serious infection that goes deeper into the skin than the other two types.
Symptoms and Pictures of Impetigo
Impetigo is generally a mild infection most common in young children. Common areas where it begins are on exposed skin, such as around the nose and mouth or on the arms and legs.
Untreated infections can quickly spread to other areas on the child’s body. Pain and itchiness may occur in all types of impetigo, and scratching can further spread the infection.
2:13Click Play to Learn All About Impetigo
2:13
Click Play to Learn All About Impetigo
Non-Bullous Impetigo (Impetigo Contagiosa)
Themost common form of impetigo, it involves only the outermost layers of skin called theepidermis. It often occurs in areas where the skin has been broken, irritated, or damaged.
The nostrils, especially in kids with runny noses, are commonly affected. The face, the neck, and the hands are other areas of the body where you are likely to see lesions.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoHelin Loik-Tomson / Getty Images
Helin Loik-Tomson / Getty Images
Key features:
Bullous Impetigo
Bullous impetigo also affects the epidermis. It tends to form in areas where skin folds or rubs against other skin, including the arms, legs, trunk, buttocks, armpits, and groin.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Ecthyma (Deep Impetigo)
This is a more serious bacterial infection thatgoes into the deeper skin layer of thedermis.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Ora Waikatowww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Ora Waikatowww.dermnetnz.org2023.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you notice any itchy or painful red bumps, a honey-colored crust over sores, or blister-looking bumps on your child’s skin, call thepediatricianimmediately so that the infection can be treated and to prevent it from spreading elsewhere on the child or to others.
If you child has a fever, swollen glands, blood in their urine, or no energy, seek urgent medical attention.
Types of Bacterial Skin Infections and How to Treat Them
Other Conditions That Look Like Impetigo
Multiple other blistering and rash disorders can look like impetigo. Ones that may look like non-bullous impetigo include:
To make sure it’s not bullous impetigo, healthcare providers will want to rule out these similar conditions:
Causes of Impetigo
Impetigo can occur when skin is exposed to either:
The likely culprit(s) of a case of impetigo ultimately depends on the type that occurs.
Ecthyma can occur from untreated impetigo that develops into a deeper infection.
Impetigo can develop as aprimary infectionwhen the bacteria infects normal skin, or it can form as asecondary infectionwhen bacteria invades already irritated or open skin, such as from a wound,insect bite,poison ivy,eczema,herpes, orscabies.
Direct contact with infected lesions is what causes spread. This can occur in a number of ways and settings, such as:
TheS. aureusbacteria commonly colonize (live on) the skin of children and adults. They are especially commonly found in the nose and can be passed easily if children pick their noses.
Though technically one step removed from direct contact, the infection can also spread if you touch the clothes, towels, or sheets of an infected person.
Can Stress Cause Impetigo in Adults?
Who’s At Risk for Impetigo?
Anyone can get impetigo, but some people are more at risk than others.
These factors can increase the risk of impetigo:
How Impetigo Is Diagnosed
Diagnosis of impetigo is usually made after a practitioner examines the skin and notices the typical appearance of the infection.
Use of Bacterial Cultures in Diagnosis
Treatment for Impetigo
For small areas of infection, an over-the-counter or prescription-strength topical antibiotic is typically all that is needed. You will also need to regularly wash the area with warm, soapy water and then cover it with a bandage to prevent spread to others.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoSiro Rodenas Cortes / Getty Images
Siro Rodenas Cortes / Getty Images
Treatment options for topical antibiotics include:
Oral antibiotics that may be used to treat impetigo include:
Neosporin is generally not advised for use in the treatment of impetigo. As far as topical antibiotics go, the ingredient neomycin in Neosporin is not as effective as other options for in treating impetigo. Topical products containing fusidic acid or mupirocin work better.
30 Most Commonly Prescribed Children’s Medications
For more extensive or persistent infections, an oral or intravenous antibiotic might be needed.Ecthyma is typically treated with oral antibiotics, for example.
MRSA is resistant to some antibiotics that are commonly used to treat impetigo, including macrolides and mupirocin.
If MRSA is suspected, antibiotic treatment options include trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, or a tetracycline (doxycycline or minocycline).
Once treatment starts, the infection should begin to disappear within a few days. If you aren’t noticing a change, let your healthcare provider know since a different medication may be needed.
Repeat Infections
It is possible to get impetigo more than once. If impetigo or other staph-related skin infections continue to occur, your practitioner may recommend that all members of your household get treated with antibiotics, such as Bactroban (mupirocin) nasal gel twice a day for five to seven days.
Other measures, such as baths with Hibiclens (an antiseptic, antimicrobial skin cleanser) and very frequent hand washing, may also be recommended.
What 10 Common Skin Rashes Look Like
How Long Is Impetigo Contagious?Children are usually no longer contagious once they have been on antibiotics for 24 to 48 hours, there is no longer any discharge from lesions, and you are seeing signs of improvement.
How Long Is Impetigo Contagious?
Children are usually no longer contagious once they have been on antibiotics for 24 to 48 hours, there is no longer any discharge from lesions, and you are seeing signs of improvement.
Prognosis for Impetigo
Most cases of impetigo resolve without complications or scarring. If a scar does occur, it is typically from a deep infection of ecthyma. In these cases, you may want to see adermatologistwho can offer treatments to minimize the appearance of the scar.
In extremely rare cases, impetigo can lead to serious complications if it goes untreated. These can include:
How to Prevent Impetigo
By following these prevention tips, you can help protect yourself and others:
Make sure children follow good hand hygiene, and if they have any bites, scrapes, or rashes, keep a close eye on the injuries and keep them clean and covered.
Summary
Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial infection. It most commonly affects children aged two to five years, but can affect anyone. Of the two main types, non-bullous impetigo is more common than bullous impetigo. If left untreated, impetigo can develop into a serious infection called ecthyma.
Impetigo pictures show what this infection looks like. Symptoms include discolored, itchy sores with crusted lesions; large, fluid-filled blisters; and deep ulcers.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Impetigo.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Impetigo: signs and symptoms.Hartman-Adams H, Banvard C, Juckett G.Impetigo: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(4):229-35.Wound Management & Prevention.Neonates and topical antimicrobials: what should we be using?Creech CB, Al-Zubeidi DN, Fritz SA.Prevention of recurrent staphylococcal skin infections.Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2015;29(3):429–464. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2015.05.007American Academy of Dermatology Association.Impetigo: diagnosis and treatment.Galli L, Novelli A, Ruggiero G, Stefani S, Fortina AB.Pediatric impetigo: an expert panel opinion about its main controversies.J Chemother. 2022;34(5):279-285. doi:10.1080/1120009X.2021.1961185National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Glomerular diseases.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Impetigo.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Impetigo: signs and symptoms.Hartman-Adams H, Banvard C, Juckett G.Impetigo: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(4):229-35.Wound Management & Prevention.Neonates and topical antimicrobials: what should we be using?Creech CB, Al-Zubeidi DN, Fritz SA.Prevention of recurrent staphylococcal skin infections.Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2015;29(3):429–464. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2015.05.007American Academy of Dermatology Association.Impetigo: diagnosis and treatment.Galli L, Novelli A, Ruggiero G, Stefani S, Fortina AB.Pediatric impetigo: an expert panel opinion about its main controversies.J Chemother. 2022;34(5):279-285. doi:10.1080/1120009X.2021.1961185National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Glomerular diseases.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Impetigo.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Impetigo: signs and symptoms.Hartman-Adams H, Banvard C, Juckett G.Impetigo: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(4):229-35.Wound Management & Prevention.Neonates and topical antimicrobials: what should we be using?Creech CB, Al-Zubeidi DN, Fritz SA.Prevention of recurrent staphylococcal skin infections.Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2015;29(3):429–464. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2015.05.007American Academy of Dermatology Association.Impetigo: diagnosis and treatment.Galli L, Novelli A, Ruggiero G, Stefani S, Fortina AB.Pediatric impetigo: an expert panel opinion about its main controversies.J Chemother. 2022;34(5):279-285. doi:10.1080/1120009X.2021.1961185National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Glomerular diseases.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Impetigo.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Impetigo: signs and symptoms.
Hartman-Adams H, Banvard C, Juckett G.Impetigo: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(4):229-35.
Wound Management & Prevention.Neonates and topical antimicrobials: what should we be using?
Creech CB, Al-Zubeidi DN, Fritz SA.Prevention of recurrent staphylococcal skin infections.Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2015;29(3):429–464. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2015.05.007
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Impetigo: diagnosis and treatment.
Galli L, Novelli A, Ruggiero G, Stefani S, Fortina AB.Pediatric impetigo: an expert panel opinion about its main controversies.J Chemother. 2022;34(5):279-285. doi:10.1080/1120009X.2021.1961185
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Glomerular diseases.
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