Impetigo

For the band, see Impetigo (band).

Not to be confused with the 2019 horror film, Impetigore.
Impetigo
Other namesSchool sores,[1] impetigo contagiosa
A case of impetigo on the chin
Pronunciation
SpecialtyDermatology, infectious disease
SymptomsYellowish skin crusts, painful[2][3]
ComplicationsCellulitis, poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis[3]
Usual onsetYoung children[3]
DurationLess than 3 weeks[3]
CausesStaphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes which spreads by direct contact
Risk factorsDay care, crowding, poor nutrition, diabetes mellitus, contact sports, breaks in the skin[3][4]
PreventionHand washing, avoiding infected people, cleaning injuries[3]
TreatmentBased on symptoms[3]
MedicationAntibiotics (mupirocin, fusidic acid, cefalexin)[3][5]
Frequency140 million (2010)[6]

Impetigo is a contagious bacterial infection that involves the superficial skin.[2] The most common presentation is yellowish crusts on the face, arms, or legs.[2] Less commonly there may be large blisters which affect the groin or armpits.[2] The lesions may be painful or itchy.[3] Fever is uncommon.[3]

It is typically due to either Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes.[7] Risk factors include attending day care, crowding, poor nutrition, diabetes mellitus, contact sports, and breaks in the skin such as from mosquito bites, eczema, scabies, or herpes.[3][4] With contact it can spread around or between people.[3] Diagnosis is typically based on the symptoms and appearance.[3]

Prevention is by hand washing, avoiding people who are infected, and cleaning injuries.[3] Treatment is typically with antibiotic creams such as mupirocin or fusidic acid.[3][5] Antibiotics by mouth, such as cefalexin, may be used if large areas are affected.[3] Antibiotic-resistant forms have been found.[3] Healing generally occurs without scarring.[7]

Impetigo affected about 140 million people (2% of the world population) in 2010.[6] It can occur at any age, but is most common in young children.[3] In some places the condition is also known as "school sores".[1] Without treatment people typically get better within three weeks.[3] Recurring infections can occur due to colonization of the nose by the bacteria.[8][9] Complications may include cellulitis or poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis.[3] The name is from the Latin impetere meaning "attack".[10]

  1. ^ a b "Impetigo - school sores". Bettel Health Channel. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Ibrahim F, Khan T, Pujalte GG (December 2015). "Bacterial Skin Infections". Primary Care. 42 (4): 485–499. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2015.08.001. PMID 26612370. S2CID 29798971.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Hartman-Adams H, Banvard C, Juckett G (August 2014). "Impetigo: diagnosis and treatment". American Family Physician. 90 (4): 229–235. PMID 25250996.
  4. ^ a b Adams BB (2002). "Dermatologic disorders of the athlete". Sports Medicine. 32 (5): 309–321. doi:10.2165/00007256-200232050-00003. PMID 11929358. S2CID 34948265.
  5. ^ a b Koning S, van der Sande R, Verhagen AP, van Suijlekom-Smit LW, Morris AD, Butler CC, et al. (January 2012). "Interventions for impetigo". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 1 (1): CD003261. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003261.pub3. PMC 7025440. PMID 22258953.
  6. ^ a b Vos T, Flaxman AD, Naghavi M, Lozano R, Michaud C, Ezzati M, et al. (December 2012). "Years lived with disability (YLDs) for 1160 sequelae of 289 diseases and injuries 1990-2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010". Lancet. 380 (9859): 2163–2196. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61729-2. PMC 6350784. PMID 23245607.
  7. ^ a b Stevens DL (2022). "18. Impetigo". In Jong EC, Stevens DL (eds.). Netter's Infectious Diseases (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier. pp. 78–80. ISBN 978-0-323-71159-3.
  8. ^ "Impetigo symptoms and treatments". www.nhsinform.scot. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  9. ^ "Impetigo and Ecthyma - Skin Disorders". Merck Manuals Consumer Version. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  10. ^ Concise English Dictionary. Wordsworth Editions Limited. 1993. p. 452. ISBN 978-1-84022-497-9. Archived from the original on 2016-10-03.