Impetigo
Overview
Impetigo is a skin infection that's very contagious but not usually serious. Anyone can get it, but it's more common in young children. With treatment, impetigo often gets better in a few days.
Symptoms
Impetigo starts with red sores or blisters, but the redness may be harder to see on brown and black skin. The sores or blisters quickly burst and often leave crusty, golden-brown patches. The patches can: look a bit like cornflakes stuck to your skinget bigger and spread to other parts of your bodybe itchy and are sometimes painful
Causes
Bacteria (Staph/Strep). Enters cut/bite. Highly contagious. Common in children.
Treatment
A pharmacist or GP will check if your symptoms are caused by a more serious skin infection, likecellulitis. If it's impetigo, they may prescribe: hydrogen peroxide creamantibiotic cream or tablets Babies and people with a weakened immune system may need antibiotic tablets to stop the infection causing more serious problems. Do not stop using cream or taking antibiotic tablets early, even if the impetigo starts to clear up.
Prevention
Impetigo usually infects skin that's already damaged. You can get it if you have a minor injury like a cut, scratch or insect bite, or a skin condition. To avoid getting impetigo: keep cuts, scratches and insect bites clean – for example, by washing them with warm water and soapget treatment for skin conditions, likeeczemaandscabies
When to see a doctor
See GP if: sores spreading/painful; fever; not healing.