SKINIPEDIA - Skin Encyclopedia: Impetigo Contagiosa
Impetigo Contagiosa Article by Medical Authors: Alan Rockoff, MD, and John Mersch, MD, FAAP
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Can impetigo be prevented?
Routine hand washing with soap and warm water is an important and effective mechanism to prevent the spread of impetigo.
Impetigo at 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 and is caused by strains of both Staph and Strep bacteria.
- Impetigo is not serious and is easy to treat with either prescription topical or oral antibiotics. Scarring is very rare.
IMPETIGO TRANSMITION
The infection is spread by direct contact with lesions (wounds or sores) or nasal discharge from an infected person. Scratching may spread the lesions. It usually takes 1 to 3 days from the time of infection until you show symptoms. If your skin doesn't have breaks in it, you can't be infected by dried strep bacteria in the air.
SOURCE: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health
Patient Discussion:
"I'm a 21 year old female. I think I got it from a cold sore. It's right in the corner of my mouth. I thought it was just a cold sore but then it started swelling up into my mouth. It was so painful and I knew something was wrong. So I went to the doctor and she said it was the worst she'd seen! She gave me antibiotics, antiinflammatory/painkiller, and topical cream. I am being very careful never touching it and using a new towel every time and changing sheets everyday. It is so gross. I've had it for five days now and got antibiotics and meds about 3 days ago, so it is just clearing up now. It is disgusting and leaking pus. I am so embarrassed of it and I seriously feel for all of you. I've been missing school. Seriously all of us just have BAD LUCK. So I really hope this doesn't come back in 8 months, or whatever. I think for anyone who has it, the most important thing is to not touch it and sanitize everything!" by "Katie".
"I got bullous impetigo on my arm last year and went to the hospital
where they told me I had ringworm. I was instructed to buy some
Monistat-7 and that it would go away. Two weeks later it had pretty
much taken over all of my upper arm and when I called the hospital the
RN that saw me told me not to go back, to go see a specialist. The
dermatologist was able to see me a week later and the impetigo was now
all over my arm and side of my chest. Derm Doctor got me squared away
on topical and oral antibiotics and it was gone in about a week. I feel
for the person who expressed how depressing Impetigo can make you feel,
it was a horrible experience. Now a year later, I have the same little
burning crusty scabs coming on." by "PZheul".