What should you know about impetigo in infants?

Impetigo often begins where skin has been scratched, irritated, or affected by another itchy rash. Small red spots may become fluid-filled blisters or shallow open sores. When the fluid dries, it can leave a yellow-brown crust. The rash may occur around the nose and mouth, on the hands, or elsewhere on the body. Infants can transfer bacteria by rubbing a sore and then touching nearby skin, so new patches may appear over a short time.

Crusting alone does not prove that a baby has impetigo; drool irritation, eczema, and other rashes can look similar. A clinician can examine the pattern and decide whether treatment is needed. Read more about [Crusting Skin](/symptoms/skin-crusting/) and [Atopic Dermatitis](/conditions/atopic-dermatitis/) when comparing possible causes.

Gently clean the affected skin with lukewarm water, pat it dry, and avoid rubbing or picking the crusts. Keep the baby's nails short and wash your hands before and after touching the area. Do not share towels, face cloths, clothing, bedding, or feeding items with other children. Launder items that touch the sores, and keep the infant away from close skin-to-skin contact until a clinician has advised when it is safe to return to normal contact.

Use only medicine recommended for this infant. Depending on the number and location of sores, a clinician may discuss [Topical Antibiotic Therapy](/treatments/medical-dermatology/topical-antibiotic-therapy/) or [Antibiotics For Skin Infection](/treatments/medical-dermatology/antibiotic-therapy-for-skin-infection/). Do not put household antiseptics, steroid creams, or leftover antibiotics on the sores unless specifically instructed.

Contact a healthcare professional promptly if you suspect impetigo in an infant, especially when there are several sores, rapid spread, weeping blisters, or difficulty keeping the area clean. Seek urgent help if the baby seems very unwell, is unusually sleepy, feeds poorly, has fewer wet nappies, develops fever, or has swelling near the eye. Redness that is spreading, increasing tenderness, warmth, or pus can signal a deeper skin infection and also needs prompt assessment.

Ask which cream or medicine is suitable for your infant, how often to apply it, how to clean the skin first, and how long to continue it. Mention any fever, feeding change, new rash, recent eczema flare, or contact with someone who has similar sores. Ask when the infant can attend childcare, how to protect siblings, and what improvement should look like.