In this Article

• What is impetigo? What causes it?
• What are the types and symptoms of impetigo? What does impetigo look like?
• Is impetigo contagious?
• How is impetigo diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for impetigo?
• What are possible complications of impetigo?
• Will impetigo leave scars?
• Impetigo At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Impetigo - Length Symptoms Lasted
• Impetigo Glossary
• Impetigo Index

What is the treatment for impetigo?

Impetigo is not serious, may go away and dry up on its own, and is easy to treat. Mild cases can be handled by gentle cleansing, removing crusts, and applying the prescription-strength antibiotic ointment mupirocin (Bactroban). More severe or widespread cases, especially of bullous impetigo, may require oral antibiotic medication for impetigo. In recent years, more staph germs have developed resistance to standard antibiotics. Bacterial culture tests can help guide the use of proper oral therapy if needed. Antibiotics which can be helpful include penicillin or its derivatives, erythromycin, azithromycin, and cephalosporins such as cephalexin (Keflex.) If clinical suspicion supported by culture results show other bacteria, such as drug resistant staph (methacillin resistant staphylococcus aureus or MRSA), treatment is guided by laboratory results (culture and sensitivity tests).

What are possible complications of impetigo?

One potential complication of impetigo caused by strep germs is glomerulonephritis, a kidney condition producing inflammation. Treating the impetigo does not prevent glomerulonephritis from occurring, but this very uncommon and usually causes no lasting kidney damage.

Will impetigo leave scars?

Because the crusts and blisters of impetigo are superficial, impetigo does not leave scars. Affected skin looks red for a while after the crusts go away, but this redness fades in a matter of days to weeks.

Impetigo At A Glance

• Impetigo is a bacterial infection of the surface of the skin.
• Impetigo is more common in children than in adults.
• The two types of impetigo are non-bullous and bullous impetigo.
• Impetigo is contagious.
• Impetigo is not serious, may go away and dry up on its own, and is easy to treat.

Impetigo - Length Symptoms Lasted

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• Rash - Learn about rash causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Common skin rashes include poison ivy, hives, shingles, eczema, contact dermatitis, ringworm, psoriasis and impetigo.
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