What should you know about small impetigo?

The infection often affects exposed skin, especially around the nose and mouth, but it can occur anywhere. A spot may ooze, break, and leave crusting skin; nearby areas can become involved through scratching or contact. Atopic dermatitis and other breaks in the skin can make infection easier to develop. Because eczema, insect bites, and irritation may resemble early impetigo, an examination helps distinguish them.

Keep sores clean with gentle washing, pat them dry, and cover them with a clean dressing when practical. Wash hands after touching the area, avoid sharing towels or face cloths, and launder items that contact the sores. Keep fingernails short and discourage scratching. A clinician may prescribe topical antibiotic therapy for limited disease or antibiotics for skin infection when more extensive treatment is needed. Use the prescribed course exactly as directed.

Arrange medical review promptly if sores spread, multiply, become painful, or fail to improve with prescribed treatment. Seek urgent care for fever, marked swelling, rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, eye involvement, or a child who appears unusually unwell. Recurrent episodes also deserve review because the skin barrier, household spread, or another condition may need attention.

Ask whether the sores are impetigo, which treatment form fits their extent, how long to keep them covered, and when it is safe to return to school, work, or close contact.