What should you know about impetigo bug bite?

An insect bite often starts as a single itchy bump. If scratching breaks the surface, bacteria can enter and a secondary impetigo infection may develop. Look for increasing ooze, a sticky yellow-brown crust, new nearby sores or tenderness rather than itch alone. Impetigo can resemble an irritated bite, eczema or another skin problem, so appearance by itself cannot confirm the diagnosis.

Tell the clinician about the original bite, scratching, travel or outdoor exposure, and how quickly the area changed. A close look helps determine whether you need local treatment or medicine for a broader infection.

Rinse gently with clean water and mild soap, pat dry, and cover the spot with a breathable dressing if it is rubbing or draining. Wash hands before and after care. Keep fingernails short and avoid squeezing the lesion. Use separate towels and wash clothing or bedding that touches it. A healthcare professional may prescribe topical antibiotic therapy for limited disease or antibiotics for skin infection when several areas are involved. Do not use leftover antibiotics.

Get medical advice if the bite-like lesion is enlarging, develops crusting or pus, or is joined by new spots. Prompt assessment is needed when redness, warmth, swelling or pain is increasing. Seek urgent help for fever, feeling faint or very unwell, fast progression, or swelling near the eye or mouth. A rapidly changing lesion may need a different treatment from a simple bite.

Does this look like an infected bite or impetigo? Should I use a dressing, and how often should it be changed? Which signs mean the infection is spreading? Could an underlying rash such as atopic dermatitis be contributing?