Impetigo: Signs, Treatment, and Safer Home Care

It often begins where skin is scratched, irritated, or broken and can form golden or honey-coloured crusts. A clinician may prescribe a topical antibiotic for a limited area or an oral antibiotic when infection is more extensive or otherwise requires systemic treatment. Use only the medicine prescribed, complete the instructed course, and do not save or share antibiotics.

Impetigo can appear as red sores that rupture and crust or as larger fluid-filled blisters. It commonly involves exposed skin around the nose, mouth, arms, or legs. It spreads through direct contact and contaminated items, especially when scratching transfers bacteria. Atopic dermatitis, insect bites, small cuts, and other barrier damage can provide an entry point, but crusting alone does not confirm impetigo.

Gently clean affected skin, pat it dry, and follow instructions on whether to cover it with a light dressing. Wash hands before and after applying medicine, keep fingernails short, and avoid scratching or picking crusts. Do not share towels, bedding, razors, clothing, or skincare items. Launder used fabrics and clean frequently touched surfaces. A clinician or local public-health guidance can advise when school, nursery, work, swimming, or close-contact activities may resume.

Seek a timely assessment for suspected impetigo, particularly in a baby, a person with reduced immune protection, or anyone with widespread lesions. Promptly contact a clinician if redness spreads, pain or swelling increases, pus develops, fever or marked unwellness occurs, the eye area is involved, or prescribed treatment is not helping. Breathing difficulty, unusual drowsiness, rapidly worsening illness, or extensive blistering calls for urgent medical care.

Ask whether the appearance fits impetigo or another cause of crusting, whether a skin swab is useful, and exactly how to apply or take the prescribed antibiotic. Confirm how to handle dressings, household laundry, close contact, and missed doses. If infections recur, mention eczema, frequent scratching, shared sports equipment, or similar symptoms among close contacts so the clinician can consider contributing factors.