Impetigo

Impetigo is a skin infection caused by bacteria. Usually the cause is staphylococcal (staph) but sometimes streptococcus (strep) can cause it, too. It is most common in children between the ages of two and six. It usually starts when bacteria get into a break in the skin, such as a cut, scratch or insect bite.
Symptoms start with red or pimple-like sores surrounded by red skin. These sores can be anywhere, but usually they occur on your face, arms and legs. The sores fill with pus, then break open after a few days and form a thick crust. They are often itchy, but scratching them can spread the sores. Impetigo can spread by contact with sores or nasal discharge from an infected person. You can treat impetigo with antibiotics.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Start Here
Impetigo(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
Impetigo(Logical Images)
Impetigo(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
Also available in Spanish
Basics
Learn More
Multimedia & Cool Tools
Overviews
Related Issues
No links available
Research
Reference Shelf
For You
Clinical Trials
Journal Articles
Medical Encyclopedia
Organizations
Children
Teenagers
Overviews
Impetigo(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Impetigo: A Common Skin Infection among Children(American Osteopathic Association)
Related Issues
Group A Streptococcal Infections(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
Staph Infections: Staphylococcus aureus(Nemours Foundation)
Clinical Trials
ClinicalTrials.gov: Impetigo(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Article: Identifying impetigo. Interview by Lynne Pearce.
Article: Chronic granulomatous disease in an adolescent with recurrent impetigo and...
Article: Blistering eruption in a Latino migrant farmworker.
Impetigo -- see more articles Return to top
Medical Encyclopedia
Impetigo Return to top
Organizations
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Also available in SpanishReturn to top
Children
Impetigo(Nemours Foundation) Return to top
Teenagers
Impetigo(Nemours Foundation) Return to top
Home Health Topics Drugs & Supplements Encyclopedia Dictionary News Directories Other Resources
Disclaimers Copyright Privacy Accessibility Quality GuidelinesU.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health Department of Health & Human Services
Date last updated: 18 March 2009 Topic last reviewed: 09 March 2009