Impetigo

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Impetigo, bullous on the buttocks

Impetigo on a child's face

The goal is to cure the infection and relieve the symptoms.

A mild infection may be treated with a prescription antibacterial cream. More severe cases may require antibiotics, taken by mouth.

Wash (do not scrub) the skin several times a day, preferably with an antibacterial soap, to remove crusts and drainage.

The sores of impetigo heal slowly and seldom scar. The cure rate is extremely high, but the condition often comes back in young children.

• Kidney failure (post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis) (rare)
• Many patches of impetigo (in children)
• Permanent skin damage and scarring (very rare)
• Spread of the infection to other parts of the body (common)

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of impetigo.

Review Date: 10/05/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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