Impetigo
Impetigo is a common skin infection caused by one or both of the following bacteria:
- Group A Streptococcus
- Staphylococcus Aureus
Transmisson
Anyone can get impetigo. Impetigo spreads through germs entering an opening on the skin (i.e., cut, insect, bite) via:
- Person to person by direct contact with an infected person.
- Environment to person by contaminated surfaces.
Risk factors:
- Age: Most common in children two through five years old.
- Infections or injuries that break the skin: People with scabies infection are at increased risk or people who participate in activities where cuts or scrapes are common.
- Group settings that are in close contact with people, such as:
- Schools
- Day care
- Military training facilities
- Climate: Impetigo is more common in areas with hot, humid summers and mild winters (subtropics), or wet and dry seasons (tropics).
- Seasonality: More common during seasons with warm weather. Poor personal hygiene: Lack of proper hand washing, body washing or facial cleanliness.
A person can spread this disease until the skin sores are treated with antibiotics for at least 24 hours or until crusting lesions are no longer present. Repeated infections can occur.
Symptoms
Symptoms develop within seven to 10 days after the bacteria attach to the skin and may include:
- Itchy pimples or fluid-filled sores, generally small and red that break open and leak a clear fluid or pus. Often located on the face but can be anywhere on the body.
- Sores normally leak for a few days after onset.
- Crusty yellow or “honey-colored” scab forms over the sore.
- After leaking decreases the sores typically form a crust and resolve.
Diagnosis
Health care providers typically diagnose impetigo by looking at the sores during a physical examination. Lab tests are not needed.
Treatment
Impetigo is treated with antibiotics, either:
- Topical antibiotics (medicine rubbed onto the sores).
- Usually recommended for a few sores only.
- Oral antibiotics (medicine taken by mouth).
- Usually recommended for more serious sores.
Use the prescription exactly as directed by the provider.
Prevention
- Avoid physical contact with infested individuals and their belongings, especially clothing, headgear and bedding.
- Examine close contacts and playmates of infected persons.
- Educate on the life cycle of lice, proper treatment, and the importance of laundering clothing and bedding in hot water (130°F for 20 minutes) or dry cleaning to destroy lice and eggs.
- Inspect regularly for lice, on the scalp (and when indicated on the body and clothing), particularly of children in schools, and persons in institutions, nursing homes, and summer camps, is important.
Exclusion Guidance
Individuals with impetigo should not be excluded from work, school, or childcare unless the general exclusions apply.
- Exclusion and treatment can occur at the end of the day, with return after their first treatment, and as long as exposed lesions can be covered.