Impetigo pictures can give you a fairly good idea of what this condition looks like.
Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection that causes sores and a honey-colored crust or blister-like bumps.
This article describes the types of impetigo and shares pictures of impetigo to help illustrate the symptoms.
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It also discusses similar conditions, causes, and risks factors.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
The two main types of impetigo are non-bullous impetigo and bullous impetigo.
Helin Loik-Tomson / Getty Images
If untreated, impetigo can develop intoecthyma.
Ecthyma is a serious infection that goes deeper into the skin than the other two types.
Symptoms and Pictures of Impetigo
Impetigo is generally a mild infection most common in young children.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Untreated infections can quickly spread to other areas on the child’s body.
Pain and itchiness may occur in all types of impetigo, and scratching can further spread the infection.
It often occurs in areas where the skin has been broken, irritated, or damaged.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Ora Waikatowww.dermnetnz.org2023.
The nostrils, especially in kids with runny noses, are commonly affected.
Helin Loik-Tomson / Getty Images
Key features:
Bullous Impetigo
Bullous impetigo also affects the epidermis.
Reproduced with permission from A DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Siro Rodenas Cortes / Getty Images
Reproduced with permission from A DermNet and A Te Whatu Ora Waikatowww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Other Conditions That Look Like Impetigo
Multiple other blistering and rash disorders can look like impetigo.
Ecthyma can occur from untreated impetigo that develops into a deeper infection.
Direct contact with infected lesions is what causes spread.
This can occur in a number of ways and parameters, such as:
TheS.
aureusbacteria commonly colonize (live on) the skin of children and adults.
They are especially commonly found in the nose and can be passed easily if children pick their noses.
Who’s At Risk for Impetigo?
Anyone can get impetigo, but some people are more at risk than others.
A healthcare provider may also want to do a bacterial culture.
Topical antibiotics are applied to the skin, while oral antibiotics are taken by mouth.
Topical products containing fusidic acid or mupirocin work better.
MRSA is resistant to some antibiotics that are commonly used to treat impetigo, including macrolides and mupirocin.
Once treatment starts, the infection should begin to disappear within a few days.
Repeat Infections
It is possible to get impetigo more than once.
How Long Is Impetigo Contagious?
Prognosis for Impetigo
Impetigo can heal on its own, even without treatment.
When it does heal by itself, it should go away in about seven to 10 days.
Most cases of impetigo resolve without complications or scarring.
If a scar does occur, it is typically from a deep infection of ecthyma.
In extremely rare cases, impetigo can lead to serious complications if it goes untreated.
Summary
Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial infection.
It most commonly affects children aged two to five years, but can affect anyone.
Of the two main types, non-bullous impetigo is more common than bullous impetigo.
If left untreated, impetigo can develop into a serious infection called ecthyma.
Impetigo pictures show what this infection looks like.
Symptoms include discolored, itchy sores with crusted lesions; large, fluid-filled blisters; and deep ulcers.
See a healthcare provider if you suspect impetigo or another skin condition.
If diagnosed, impetigo can be treated with antibiotics.
Prevent impetigo by washing hands and laundry often and keeping wounds clean.
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