Impetigo

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Impetigo, bullous on the buttocks

Impetigo on a child's face

The goal is to cure the infection and relieve the symptoms.

A mild infection may be treated with a prescription antibacterial cream. More severe cases may require antibiotics, taken by mouth.

Wash the skin several times a day, preferably with an antibacterial soap, to remove crusts and drainage.

The sores of impetigo heal slowly and seldom scar. The cure rate is extremely high, but they often come back in young children.

• The infection could spread to other parts of the body. This is common.
• Children often have multiple patches of impetigo.
• A systemic infection could lead to kidney failure (post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis). This is a rare occurrence.
• Permanent skin damage and scarring may occur (also extremely rare).

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms indicating impetigo are present.

Review Date: 10/16/2006
Reviewed By: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.