What should you know about early stage impetigo?

The spots may be red, itchy, or mildly sore. They can ooze and then develop a yellow-brown crust, especially around the nose and mouth, on the hands, or where skin has been scratched. Impetigo can appear on healthy skin or enter through a small cut, insect bite, or irritated patch such as eczema. A person can pass it to another person through close contact, shared towels, clothing, or touching the affected area.

Keep the area clean with gentle washing and pat it dry rather than rubbing. Avoid picking or scratching, cover sores when practical, wash hands after touching them, and do not share towels, razors, clothing, or bedding. A clinician may recommend a treatment applied to the skin or an antibiotic taken by mouth, depending on how widespread the infection is and where it appears. Read about [Topical Antibiotic Therapy] and [Antibiotics For Skin Infection].

Arrange medical advice when sores are spreading, painful, recurrent, near the eye, or not settling with careful hygiene. Seek prompt care if there is fever, marked swelling, rapidly worsening redness, or a child seems unusually unwell. A clinician can distinguish impetigo from other causes of [Crusting Skin] and check whether an underlying condition such as [Atopic Dermatitis] needs attention.

Ask which treatment suits the number and location of sores, how long to avoid close skin contact, and whether household members need practical hygiene advice. Ask what changes should prompt a follow-up visit.