Knowra Impetigo Impetigo Impetigo is a contagious superficial bacterial skin infection that causes sores or blisters, most often in children. Its main forms are nonbullous and bullous impetigo.
Staphylococcus aureus : A bacterium that commonly lives on skin and can cause infections, including impetigo. It is a leading cause of impetigo, especially bullous disease.
Mupirocin : A topical antibiotic used to treat certain superficial bacterial skin infections. It is a standard topical option for localized impetigo.
Cellulitis : A bacterial infection of deeper skin and underlying tissues that causes spreading redness, warmth, and swelling. Unlike superficial impetigo, cellulitis affects deeper tissue and may cause systemic illness.
Honey-colored crust : A golden-yellow crust formed as fluid from a skin lesion dries. It is the classic visible sign of nonbullous impetigo.
Streptococcus pyogenes : A bacterium that causes strep throat, scarlet fever, and several skin infections. It can cause nonbullous impetigo, alone or alongside Staphylococcus aureus.
Retapamulin : A topical antibiotic approved for treating limited cases of impetigo. It provides an alternative topical treatment for eligible patients.
Ecthyma : A deeper form of skin infection, often caused by impetigo bacteria, that produces ulcers beneath crusts. It penetrates deeper than impetigo and can leave scars.
Skin lesion : An area of skin with an abnormal change in appearance or structure. Impetigo presents as superficial lesions that may blister, ooze, or crust.
Nonbullous impetigo : The common form of impetigo marked by sores that develop characteristic honey-colored crusts. This form accounts for most cases and often begins around the nose or mouth.
Oral antibiotics : Antibiotic medicines taken by mouth to treat infections throughout the body or across larger areas. Clinicians may use them when impetigo is widespread, recurrent, or difficult to treat topically.
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