Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the surface layers of the skin, which causes sores and blisters (see Impetigo - symptoms).
Impetigo is not usually a serious condition. However, you should take precautions to avoid spreading it to other people, particularly newborn babies. For example, carefully wash your hands after touching affected areas of skin, and do not share towels or bed linen. See Impetigo - prevention for more information.
Treating impetigo
Antibiotic creams are usually recommended to treat the impetigo infection and minimise the risk of it spreading (see Impetigo - treatment).
Most people are no longer contagious after 48 hours of treatment, or once their sores have dried and healed.
As impetigo is a self-limiting condition (it gets better on its own), complications tend to be rare. However, sometimes the infection can spread to the lymph nodes (lymphadenitis), or to a deeper layer of skin (cellulitis). See Impetigo - complications for more information.
Types of impetigo
There are two types of impetigo:
- bullous impetigo - which causes large, painless, fluid-filled blisters
- non-bullous impetigo - which is more contagious than bullous impetigo and causes sores that quickly rupture (burst) to leave a yellow-brown crust
Impetigo can also be classed as:
- primary - where bacteria enters skin that is otherwise healthy - for example, through a cut or wound, or
- secondary - where the infection is the result of another underlying cause, such as atopic eczema (a common skin condition).
How common is impetigo?
Non-bullous impetigo is the most common type of impetigo, accounting for more than 70% of cases.
Impetigo most commonly affects children. This is due to environments, such as schools and nurseries, where the infection can easily be spread.
In the UK, around 3% of children up to four years old, and 2% of children who are between five to 14 years old get impetigo each year.
Impetigo can sometimes affect adults, for example, when people are living in a confined environment, such as an army barracks.
