What should you know about tell me about impetigo?

The sores often appear around the nose and mouth, on the hands or wherever skin has been scratched. They can begin as small blisters or moist red patches before drying into crusts. Infection spreads through direct skin contact and shared towels, clothing or personal items. Atopic Dermatitis and other itchy skin problems can create openings that make infection easier to acquire. A clinician can often recognise the pattern by examining the lesions and asking whether new spots are appearing.

Wash hands after touching the area, keep nails short, avoid picking, and gently cleanse with water and mild soap. Do not share towels, razors, clothing or bedding; wash used fabrics regularly. Cover lesions with a clean dressing when practical and keep children away from close-contact activities until a clinician confirms it is reasonable to return. Treatment may involve Topical Antibiotic Therapy for limited disease or Antibiotics For Skin Infection when lesions are widespread or deeper.

Arrange medical review when sores are spreading, recurring, painful, affecting the eye area or not settling with hygiene measures. Seek prompt care for fever, marked swelling, rapidly worsening redness, severe illness or signs of infection in a newborn. A clinician can also advise how to protect household members and whether close contacts need assessment.

Ask whether the lesions are impetigo, which treatment suits their extent, how long to avoid close contact, and how to manage an underlying itchy skin condition.