Quick answer
What is impetigo?
Impetigo is a common, very contagious bacterial skin infection, most often seen in children. It causes sores and blisters that burst and form golden-brown crusts. It usually clears quickly with treatment from a GP or pharmacist, and good hygiene stops it spreading.
What is impetigo?
Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection that is very common in children, though anyone can get it. It is not usually serious, but it is highly contagious — which is why prompt treatment and simple hygiene matter. With treatment, it usually clears within about a week.
Symptoms
Impetigo causes:
- red sores or blisters, often around the nose and mouth or on hands
- sores that quickly burst and weep
- distinctive golden-brown or honey-coloured crusts
- sometimes itching or mild soreness
How it spreads
It spreads through close contact and shared items such as towels, flannels and toys. Bacteria often enter through broken skin — a cut, an insect bite, or skin damaged by eczema. It can spread to other parts of the same person’s body too.
Treatment
Impetigo is treated with antiseptic or antibiotic creams, or antibiotic tablets if it is more widespread. In many areas a pharmacist can assess and treat impetigo directly. Treatment shortens the illness and, importantly, the contagious period — you are generally no longer infectious 48 hours after starting treatment, or once the patches have crusted and healed.
Stopping the spread
Until then: stay off school, nursery or work; wash hands frequently; do not share towels or flannels; wash bedding and clothes hot; and try not to touch or scratch the sores. See a GP if it spreads, returns, or comes with feeling unwell.
Common questions
- How do you catch impetigo?
- Through close contact with someone who has it, or via towels, flannels, clothing or toys. The bacteria often get in through broken skin — cuts, insect bites or eczema patches.
- How long is impetigo contagious?
- Until the patches have crusted and healed, or until 48 hours after starting treatment. Children should stay off school or nursery, and adults off work, until then.
- How is impetigo treated?
- With antiseptic or antibiotic creams, or antibiotic tablets for more widespread cases. Treatment usually clears it within about a week. A pharmacist can treat impetigo in many areas without a GP visit.
- How do I stop impetigo spreading at home?
- Wash hands often, don't share towels or flannels, wash bedding and clothes at a high temperature, keep nails short, and avoid touching or scratching the patches.