Infection Prevention and Control Team
Lanchester Road Hospital
Lanchester Road
Durham
DH5 1RD
Phone: 0191 333 3584
Email: [email protected]
What is Impetigo?
Impetigo is a common bacterial skin infection that is contagious but not usually serious. It is most common in children, but anyone can be infected.
The bacteria that cause impetigo often take advantage of skin that is already damaged by cuts or grazes, insect bites, head lice, scabies, cold sores, or eczema but impetigo can also invade unaffected skin.
People with diabetes or low immunity are more susceptible to getting impetigo.
Signs and symptoms?
Impetigo starts with either:
- Red sores (Non-bullous), or blisters (Bullous), usually around the mouth and nose which may be harder to see on brown and black skin.
- These sores or blisters burst often leave crusty, golden-brown patches, and can look like cornflakes. They can get bigger and/or spread to other parts of the body. They can be itchy and/or painful.
What to look out for:
- Itchy, dry, cracked sores.
- Blisters on lips or area of the mouth.
- Itchy blisters.
- Crusty, golden-brown patches.
How does it spread?
Impetigo can spread easily to other body parts or through close contact with someone who has the infection including sharing towel and face cloths.
Due to symptoms starting at day 4-10 the infection is spread easily to other unintentionally.
How is impetigo treated?
Impetigo can be treated with either an antibiotic cream or oral antibiotic medication. In some cases, you may be prescribed a non-antibiotic cream.
Impetigo usually improves after 7-10 days of applying treatment. However, it is important that you do not stop your treatment early, even if the impetigo appears to improve or clear.
Do
- Do stay away from work or school.
- Do keep the affected areas clean and dry.
- Do cover the affected area with loose clothing or dressings.
- Do wash your hands regularly following the hand hygiene guidelines.
- Do wash bedding, towels, and face cloths at a high temperature.
- Do wash or wipe toys with detergent and warm water if your children have impetigo.
Don’t
- Don’t touch or scratch the affected area – this can also help to stop scarring.
- Don’t have close contact with individuals with diabetes or a weakened immune system.
- Don’t share bedding, towels, and face cloths.
- Don’t prepare food for others.
- Don’t go to the gym or play contact sports.
When can I return to work/school?
You should remain off work or school until 48 hours after starting treatment or until the sores have dried out and healed.
Where can I get further information?
If you require further information, please ask the ward staff or the infection prevention and control nurse.
Feedback
Please let your care team know if you want to comment on whether:
- this information is useful
- any information is missing
- you do not understand the information
Do you have concerns or complaints?
If you have concerns or complaints about a service, you can:
- tell a member of staff
- call our complaints team – freephone 0800 052 0219
- email [email protected]
Information in other languages and formats
All our website and leaflet information can be made available in many formats. Please ask a member of staff if you would like this information in another language, large print, audio or braille.
