DISCLAIMER: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product, service, or external web site does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product, service, or external web site content by CPCMG. We attempt to keep lists of resources and referrals as up to date as possible; however, this information is constantly changing. Please check with the service provider and your insurance company to verify coverage.
What is impetigo? 
A common skin infection caused by bacteria.
Anyone can get it.
It causes sores covered by honey-colored crusts or scabs.
What causes impetigo?
It starts when bacteria get into any break in the skin. This could be from an insect bite, a scratch or cut, or another skin condition like eczema.
The most common bacteria are:
“Staph” (Staphylococcus aureus)
“Strep” (Streptococcus pyogenes)
What does impetigo look like? 
There are two main types:
Non-bullous
“Crusted”
Most common
Starts as small red bumps that turn into tiny blisters that burst, leaving red oozing patches. These patches then develop yellow or honey-colored crusts.
Usually on the face (nose, mouth, ears), arms, or legs.
Bullous
“Blistering”
Larger blisters filled with clear fluid that may burst, leaving moist red sores and dry crusts.
Can appear on the face, body, arms, legs, or diaper area.
|
|
|---|---|
Non-bullous impetigo | Bullous impetigo |
Is impetigo contagious?
Yes!
It spreads very easily through skin-to-skin contact.
Also spreads by sharing towels, washcloths, or clothing.
Scratching or picking can spread it to other parts of the body.
How is impetigo diagnosed? 
Most of the time, your child's healthcare provider can diagnose impetigo just by looking at the rash.
In some cases, a sample may be taken from the sore and sent to a lab to confirm which bacteria is causing the infection.
How is impetigo treated?
Impetigo needs to be treated with antibiotics.
The type of treatment depends on how many sores there are and how severe they are.
For mild cases (1–2 small sores):
Clean the sores. Gently wash the area with soap and warm water to remove the crusts and scabs. The bacteria live underneath the scabs, so removing them helps the medicine work.
Apply antibiotic ointment. Over the counter antibiotic ointments include Polysporin and Neosporin.
Cover with a bandage. This helps prevent scratching and keeps the infection from spreading.
Repeat the washing, ointment, and bandage 3 times a day.
For more severe cases (many sores, large sores, or sores that are not getting better): 
Your child's healthcare provider may prescribe an antibiotic to take by mouth.
It is important to finish all of the medicine, even if the sores start to look better before it is gone.
Do not skip doses.
How to stop impetigo from spreading during treatment:
Wash hands often, especially after touching the sores.
Avoid scratching or picking at the sores.
Keep your child's towels, washcloths, and bedding separate from other family members.
Change clothing and bedding every day and wash them in hot water.
Do not share towels, washcloths, or clothing.
Keep fingernails short to reduce damage from scratching.
What to Expect During Healing:
Sores should stop growing within 1 to 2 days of starting treatment.
The skin usually heals within about 1 week.
Without treatment, impetigo can take 2 to 3 weeks to go away on its own, and it may spread or get worse.
When can my child go back to activities (school/daycare/sports)?
For mild impetigo (1 or 2 sores): Your child can go to school as long as the sores are fully covered with a bandage.
For more severe impetigo: Your child should stay home until they have been on an oral antibiotic for at least 24 hours.
For contact sports:
Your child generally needs to be on antibiotics for at least 3 days before returning to sports.
There should be no pus or drainage from the sores.
Check with your child’s coach or the team's trainer for sport-specific rules.
When To Call CPCMG
Redness spreading around sores (even without fever).
Fever or sore throat.
A sore larger than 1 inch across.
Sores or crusts inside the nose.
Fluid-filled blisters on the face.
Sores worsening after 48 hours of antibiotic ointment.
Pink or tea-colored urine.
Your child looks or acts very sick.
You have any other concerns.
📚 References
This content was adapted from HealthyChildren.org, The American Academy of Pediatrics Parenting Website, DermNet.
Images from HealthyChildren.org, The American Academy of Pediatrics Parenting Website, DermNet.
Reviewed by AR DO, Patient Education Committee.