Nonbullous Impetigo

The infection often starts as red spots, tiny blisters or shallow erosions around the nose and mouth, on the hands or on other exposed skin. The fragile surface can ooze and dry into crusting skin. Itching or tenderness may occur, while deeper pain or extensive swelling suggests another process that needs assessment. Children and adults can both develop it, especially when the skin barrier has been broken.

Wash hands after touching the area, keep sores gently covered when practical, avoid scratching, and do not share towels, bedding, clothing, razors or cosmetics. Launder items that contact the lesions and clean commonly touched surfaces. Do not pick crusts or use leftover antibiotics. If someone in the household has atopic dermatitis, controlling the itchy, broken skin can reduce opportunities for infection, but active sores still need clinical advice.

Arrange a clinical review when crusted sores are spreading, recurring, near the eyes, or affecting a person who is very young or medically vulnerable. Seek urgent help for fever, marked weakness, rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, facial swelling, eye symptoms or reduced urine. These signs can indicate a more extensive infection or another condition.

Does this look like nonbullous impetigo or another crusting rash? Which areas should be covered? How long should close-contact precautions continue? What should I do if new sores appear or treatment irritates the skin?