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Public Health Solutions
District Health Department
995 East Hwy 33, Ste 1
Crete, NE 68333-2562
888.310.0565
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Impetigo
What is Impetigo?
Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection, characterized by blisters, pustules, and yellowish crusts. The blisters appear first which expand and rupture within 24 hours. The lesions break down over four (4) to six (6) days to form thick crusts. Impetigo is usually caused by infection by Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, or a combination of the two. Less often, other types of bacteria can cause Impetigo.
How does a person get Impetigo?
Possible modes of spread include direct contact, environmental contamination, or vector spread. Once a person is exposed to the bacteria, Impetigo may develop.
Who is at risk for getting Impetigo?
Impetigo is most common in crowded settings or where direct person-to-person contact predominates (e.g. military institutions or schools).
What is used to treat Impetigo?
Impetigo may be treated with an antibiotic or with an antibiotic ointment to the affected areas. The specific antibiotic depends on which bacterium is causing the infection.
How long is a person with Impetigo contagious?
Without treatment, the person may be contagious for several weeks. With treatment, the person probably is not contagious after 24 hours of adequate antibiotic treatment.
Are there any complications of Impetigo?
Usually, people recover from Impetigo. Rarely, the bacteria can invade beyond the skin. People whose Impetigo is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes may develop post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis or scarlet fever. Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis follows about 10 days after the streptococcal infection and causes temporary kidney failure. For most people who develop this complication, the long-term prognosis is excellent. Scarlet fever is caused by a toxin produced by certain strains of Streptococcus pyogenes and is characterized by high fever, chills, sore throat, vomiting, and a fine red rash.
How can Impetigo be prevented?
The most effective preventive measure available is good personal hygiene, with special attention to scrubbing with soap and water. Individuals with Impetigo should be excluded from school, day care or other settings where close person-to-person is likely to occur until at least 24 hours after beginning appropriate antibiotic therapy.
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