What should you know about impetigo is caused by what bacteria?

Both bacteria can live on skin or in the nose without causing illness. When skin is broken by a scratch, insect bite, eczema flare, or rubbing, they may enter the outer layers and produce impetigo. The infection can cause red spots, fragile blisters, oozing, and yellow-brown crusts. Touching a sore can transfer bacteria to another area, and shared towels or clothing can pass them between people.

Knowing the possible bacteria does not diagnose an individual sore. A clinician uses the appearance, symptoms, location, and response to treatment, and may consider a swab when infection is recurrent, extensive, or not responding. Crusting Skin is a useful related symptom guide.

Keep sores clean and covered when practical, wash hands regularly, and avoid scratching or squeezing. Use separate towels and face cloths, launder clothing and bedding that touch the lesions, and clean frequently handled items. Do not share or save antibiotic medicines. A clinician may recommend Antibiotics For Skin Infection or Topical Antibiotic Therapy based on the number and position of sores, the person’s age and health, and whether the infection has returned. If atopic dermatitis is present, ask how to protect the skin barrier; see Atopic Dermatitis for context.

Arrange medical review when sores multiply, return often, involve the eye area, or fail to improve with the prescribed plan. Seek prompt care for fever, rapidly spreading redness, marked swelling, severe tenderness, or a person who is unusually sleepy or unwell. These warning signs reflect possible progression and require attention whether the cause is one of the common impetigo bacteria or another condition.

Ask whether the appearance supports impetigo, whether a swab would change treatment, which medicine is intended for this site, and how long to use it. Ask what to do if a family member develops crusted sores and when close contact can resume.