Impih-what? Impetigo (say: im-pih-tie-go) is a strange-sounding word that may be new to you. It's an infection of the skin caused by bacteria. Impetigo is commonly found on the face, often around the nose and mouth, but it can show up anywhere the skin has been broken.

If you have a cut or scrape or if you scratch your skin because of a bug bite, eczema, or poison ivy, germs may find a way to get inside. Once inside, the bacteria cause small blisters to develop on the skin. These blisters burst and ooze fluid that crusts over, a condition called impetigo.

Kids seem to get it more than adults do, but impetigo can affect anyone.

What Causes Impetigo?

We all have bacteria living on our skin and in our nose, but most of the time they don't cause any trouble. Two types of bacteria can cause impetigo: Group A streptococcus (say strep-toe-kah-kus) and Staphylococcus aureus (say: stah-fih-lo-kah-kus or-ee-us). It doesn't matter which bacteria caused your impetigo — the treatment will be similar (almost the same).

How Do I Know if I Have It?

Impetigo usually starts as small blisters that burst and ooze fluid that crusts over. The crust is yellow-brown, or honey-colored, making impetigo look different from other scabs.

The other kind of impetigo affects babies and younger kids more than older kids. In this type, the blisters are larger and take longer to burst. The fluid in these blisters may start out clear and then turn cloudy.

What Will the Doctor Do?

If you and your parents think you have impetigo, you should see a doctor. A doctor usually can tell if you have impetigo by examining your skin. If you have mild impetigo, your doctor probably will prescribe an antibiotic ointment, which gets put right on your skin.

If the impetigo has spread to a few places or if the antibiotic ointment is not working, you may need to take an antibiotic by mouth as a pill or liquid for about 10 days. Remember: It's important to finish ALL of the medicine even if the spots clear up quickly.

What Can I Do?

Impetigo might itch, but try not to scratch or touch the sores. Touching them can spread the sores to other parts of your body or to someone else. If you do touch the area, be sure to wash your hands right away.

Your parent can help you apply the ointment or take the medicine your doctor prescribed. Your parent also can help you gently wash the infected areas with mild soap and water, using a piece of clean gauze.

If a sore is very crusted, you can soak it in warm, soapy water to loosen the crust. You don't have to get it all off, but it's good to keep it clean. Your parent also might help you cover the sores with gauze and tape or a loose plastic bandage.

Impetigo is contagious, which means that you could spread it to other people. That's why someone with impetigo should keep the sores covered when they go to school or other public places. After the medicine has been taken for at least 24 hours, the impetigo is no longer contagious. After 3 days, the sores should begin to heal.

Your parent should call the doctor if you develop a fever or if you don't get better after taking the medicine for a couple days. Your parents should call the doctor right away if skin around the impetigo sore becomes red, warm, swollen, or painful if you touch it.

How to Prevent Impetigo

If someone in your family or a friend has impetigo, don't touch that person's skin. Also steer clear of his or her clothes, towels, sheets, and pillows. The bacteria that cause impetigo can live on all these things. Your parent should wash these items in very hot water.

And here are some good habits that can help you avoid getting impetigo in the first place:

• Take a bath or shower regularly.
• Use soap to keep your skin clean.
• Watch out for skin that's scraped or irritated, like a mosquito bite. Keep those areas clean and covered and don't scratch.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap.
• Keep your nails short and clean.

Impy-what? Now you know — it's impetigo!

Reviewed by: Yamini Durani, MD
Date reviewed: May 2011