Impetigo Treatment

What starts as a redish rash, soon becomes small, highly-contageous rupturing blisters with a yellow-brown crust.

Impetigo causes sores that can form commonly around the nose and mouth but can occur anywhere on the skin. These small blisters rupture, ooze for a few days, and develop a yellow-brown crust. It is incredibly contagious and should be treated immediately to avoid further transmission.

Most people get impetigo through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has it. Children and athletes like wrestlers and football players often get it this way. It's also possible to get it by using something infected like an infected towel or sports equipment. Wearing infected clothing is another way to get impetigo.

Staph and strep cause most cases of impetigo. These bacteria cause impetigo by getting into the skin. They can get in through a cut, scratch that barely breaks the skin or bug bite. A rash, sore, or burn also provides a great entry point for the bacteria.

While highly contagious, impetigo is rarely severe. It often clears on its own in a few weeks. Treatment, however, is recommended. By treating it, you reduce your risk of developing complications. Without treatment, the infection can cause new sores or blisters to grow for several weeks. The disease can also go deeper into the skin, which can be severe if untreated. Treatment also reduces your risk of spreading impetigo to others.

Your dermatologist will determine the best treatment plan for you at your appointment.

After your consultation, we will develop a treatment plan specific to your needs. Please call or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment today for an immediate appointment.

Our Impetigo Treatments:

Over-the-counter treatments are not strong enough to treat impetigo bacteria (streptococcus - aka strep or staphylococcus - aka staph) and are therefore not recommended. It is important to treat immediately to prevent further spreading of this infection to other parts of the body and other people. We strongly advise you to make an appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists if you think you may have impetigo to prevent further spreading.

Impetigo Clinical Treatment:

The cure rate is very high, but the problem occasionally comes back in young children. We may recommend that you follow a series of hygiene measures to avoid repeat outbreaks. Our dermatologists may prescribe a topical antibiotic for treatment. Patients sometimes inadvertently spread the infection to other parts of the body by incorrectly using the topical treatment. Also, do not use over-the-counter topical medicines unless your physician recommends that you do so. The most severe cases of impetigo are treated with oral antibiotics. The specific type will depend on the cause of the infection. [ Request an urgent appointment }