Individuals with
poor hygiene
, diabetes or a weakened immune system are also more vulnerable to contracting an impetigo infection. Adults are at higher risk than children for complications of impetigo. Complications are rare but include cellulitis, kidney problems and scarring.
Why does my daughter keep getting impetigo?
Kids can be more likely to develop impetigo
when their skin is already irritated by another problem
, such as eczema, poison ivy, insect bites, and cuts or scrapes. Scratching a sore or a rash is a common cause — for example, poison ivy can get infected and turn into impetigo.
How do you clean your house after impetigo?
Home treatment options
Gently clean the
sores with warm water and soap
, and then remove the crusts. Wash your hands thoroughly after treating the sores to avoid spreading the infection. Dry the area and apply the prescription antibiotic ointment as directed.
How long is impetigo contagious for?
How long is a person considered infectious? A person with impetigo is probably no longer infectious after
24 hours
of adequate antibiotic treatment.
What is impetigo caused by?
Impetigo is a skin infection caused by one or both of the following bacteria:
group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus
. This page focuses on impetigo caused by group A Streptococcus (group A strep).
Does impetigo stay in your system forever?
Impetigo will go away within a few weeks on its own
. (6) A doctor might prescribe an antibiotic for 7 to 10 days, though you will likely see a response within 72 hours, Oza says.
Does impetigo make you feel ill?
Impetigo can make the
skin red, sore and itchy
. There may be swollen glands. It is unusual to have a fever or feel very unwell.
Can my child go to school with impetigo?
Impetigo can easily spread to other parts of your body or to other people until it
stops being contagious
. It stops being contagious: 48 hours after you start using the medicine prescribed by your GP. when the patches dry out and crust over (if you do not get treatment)
How do you stop recurring impetigo?
To reduce the risk of impetigo returning, make sure
any cuts, scratches or bites are kept clean
. Ensure any condition that causes broken skin, such as eczema, is treated promptly. If you develop impetigo frequently, your doctor may suggest taking a swab from around your nose to see if you carry staphylococcal bacteria.
Can you get impetigo twice?
Anyone can get impetigo
— and more than once, Smith says. Although impetigo is a year-round disease, it occurs most often during the warm weather months.
Why do adults get impetigo?
It’s most often caused by the
bacteria Staphylococcus aureus
(called staph) or Streptococcus pyogenes (called group A strep). Impetigo is much more common in children, but adults can get it too. It’s more common in the summer months. Normally, your skin is covered by millions of bacteria.
Can you kiss someone with impetigo?
Impetigo is contagious
, and can spread from one person to another. It’s usually caused by one of two bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes (also called group A streptococcus, which also causes strep throat).
Can you catch impetigo from bed sheets?
Infection is also possible without skin damage. This can occur due to contact with items that an infected person has touched, such as bed linen, towels, clothing or toys.
Should I let impetigo dry out?
Children with impetigo should be kept home from school or other group settings if their wounds cannot be kept covered until
24 hours after antibiotic treatment has been started
, or until the blisters have dried out if antibiotics are not used.
Can you put Vaseline on impetigo?
Dr. Friedler recommends applying Vaseline,
Bactroban (mupirocin)
, or Bacitracin to the bite or cut and then covering the area with a bandage to help promote healing.
How long should a child stay out of school with impetigo?
The infection is caused by bacteria and is highly contagious. For that reason, children who have impetigo aren’t allowed to return to school or daycare until they’re no longer contagious –
about 24 hours after the start of treatment with antibiotics
. Without treatment, impetigo can remain contagious for several weeks.
