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A common and contagious skin infection primarily affecting young children is caused by bacteria.
What is it?
Impetigo, an infection often caused by bacteria such as staphylococcus (staph) or streptococcus (strep), results in itchy and occasionally painful sores and blisters. This highly contagious condition typically spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual. However, it can also develop through a cut, scratch, insect bite or rash, as these provide perfect entry points for the bacteria. Initial symptoms often manifest as sores and blisters around or on the child's mouth and nose, but these could also appear on the scalp, hairline, arms and legs. There are various forms of impetigo, including non-bullous impetigo (early-stage impetigo), bullous impetigo (frequently observed in infants up to two years old) and ecthyma (impetigo that has been left untreated and has spread deeper into the skin).
How is it treated?
Addressing impetigo promptly is crucial to avoid further complications, such as the emergence of more sores or blisters, and to prevent the contagion of impetigo to others. Antibiotics are predominantly used to treat impetigo. Our experienced, board-certified dermatologists can assist your child by prescribing antibiotics to be applied directly on the affected skin areas. For more serious cases where the infection spans a substantial area or multiple regions, we may prescribe an oral liquid antibiotic. Once the infection is treated, impetigo typically becomes non-contagious. Rest assured, our team at Beavercreek Dermatology can provide a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan to treat impetigo effectively and efficiently.