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IMPORTANT POINTS
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 Impetigo is a bacterial infection of the surface of the skin.
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Impetigo is infectious and can spread from one member of the family to another and from one school child to another.
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 Impetigo commonly occurs on the face, arms or legs.
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 Impetigo is treated with antiseptic solutions applied to the skin. Antibiotics taken by mouth or antibiotic creams applied to the skin may also be needed.

WHAT IS IT?
Impetigo is a bacterial infection that causes crusting, weeping and occasionally blistering on the surface of the skin. It comes up over several days on areas such as the face or the limbs. It can sometimes spread onto the trunk.

The infection does not normally cause any symptoms and does not lead to scarring. It can occur occasionally on top of a skin condition such as eczema. This may cause the eczema to become worse with weeping and yellow crusting.

HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED?
Impetigo is highly infectious and can spread from one member of the family to another or can spread between children at school, hence the name "school sores".

HOW IS IT PREVENTED?
Children with impetigo should be kept away from other children. Twenty-four hours after oral antibiotic therapy has been started and when no new spots are occurring the child should no longer be infectious and able to spread it to others.

HOW IS IT TREATED?
Impetigo may start after scratching an insect bite or from other slight breaks in the skin. To prevent this, antiseptics should be applied to any cuts or grazes.

Very mild impetigo can be treated by washing the infected skin with antiseptic solution and applying an antibiotic cream prescribed by a doctor. If the infection is more widespread, the doctor may prescribe oral (by mouth) antibiotics to be used with the antiseptics.



WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Crusting and blistering red rash on skin behind the knees.

Yellow crusting and weeping rash on the face due to impetigo.


FURTHER INFORMATION
Your pharmacist. Your family doctor. A dermatologist.

© 2002, Department of Dermatology, St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065 Australia.