What should you know about impetigo adults mouth?

The infection can affect skin beside the lips, under the nose or on the chin. It may start with redness, itching, small blisters or wet-looking sores before a crust forms. Saliva, lip licking, shaving irritation or a scratch can leave the skin more vulnerable. A sore on the lip edge is not automatically impetigo: cold sores, irritant dermatitis and other conditions can appear in the same area. A clinician can examine the pattern and symptoms.

Wash your hands before eating and after touching the area. Rinse gently with lukewarm water, pat dry, and avoid picking, squeezing or licking the sore. Do not share cups, cutlery, towels, lip balm, razors or cosmetics. Keep personal items separate and wash them regularly. A clinician may prescribe topical antibiotic therapy for limited skin involvement, or antibiotic therapy for a skin infection when the area is more extensive or difficult to treat. Use only the medicine recommended for you, especially near the mouth.

Arrange prompt review if sores spread, become increasingly painful, or are accompanied by fever or feeling unwell. Seek urgent assessment if swelling makes it difficult to eat, drink, swallow or breathe, or if redness is moving quickly across the face. Recurrent sores, sores inside the mouth, or no improvement with prescribed treatment also deserve reassessment.

Is the sore on the skin, the lip edge or inside the mouth? Could it be a cold sore or dermatitis instead? Which product is safe near my mouth? How should I protect household members from contact?