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Scheduling your impetigo treatment online is simple and hassle-free. Book your consultation in minutes, connect with certified doctors, and get personalised care from the comfort of your home. No more long waits—expert help is just a click away.

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Get tailored solutions for impetigo treatment online from experienced doctors. From topical creams to oral antibiotics, receive a comprehensive treatment plan designed to soothe symptoms, accelerate recovery, and prevent recurrence.

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Ongoing Support

Experience continuous care with impetigo treatment online. Stay connected with your doctor for follow-ups, progress tracking, and personalised advice. Enjoy expert guidance every step of the way to ensure long-term skin health and confidence.

What Is Impetigo?

Impetigo is a skin infection that spreads easily from one person to another. It mostly affects children but can happen to anyone. The infection is caused by bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus or Group A Streptococcus. It often starts as small red or pink sores around the nose, mouth, hands, or feet. On darker skin, the sores may look dark red, brown, or grey.

 

The sores quickly become blisters that can ooze and pop, leaving behind yellow or honey-coloured crusts. These crusty areas can spread to other skin parts, especially in warmer weather. The sores might be itchy or a little painful, but they usually heal without leaving scars.

Impetigo Symptoms

Impetigo usually starts as small red or pink sores, often appearing around the nose and mouth. On darker skin, these sores might look purple, grey, or brown. The sores can spread to other places like the arms, legs, or the diaper area in babies. These sores turn into blisters filled with fluid or pus. The blisters burst and form a yellow or honey-coloured crust.

Before the crust appears, the skin might look red, moist, and raw. The sores can be itchy and a little painful, but they don’t usually hurt too much. Sometimes, nearby lymph nodes may swell as your body fights the infection.

Types Of Impetigo:

  • Non-bullous impetigo: The most common type, which causes small blisters and sores that develop a golden crust.

  • Bullous Impetigo: A less common type, with larger blisters that usually appear on the body of young children or babies.

  • Ecthyma: A serious type of impetigo that causes deep, painful sores filled with pus.

The golden crust is a key sign of impetigo, but it can look different depending on your skin tone. If you notice these symptoms, talk to a doctor to get treatment and stop the infection from spreading.

Impetigo Causes

Impetigo is caused by bacteria, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus (staph) or Group A Streptococcus (strep). These bacteria can enter the skin through a cut, scrape, insect bite, or rash. Once inside, they grow and cause an infection in the top layers of skin, leading to the telltale sores and blisters.

 

Sometimes, impetigo can occur without visible skin damage. It can happen after other skin conditions like eczema, scabies, or even chickenpox. Scratching itchy spots, like those from insect bites or rashes, can break the skin and make it easier for bacteria to enter.

How Does Impetigo Spread?

Impetigo spreads easily through direct contact with an infected person or by touching objects they’ve used, like towels, clothing, or bedding. Sharing these items can quickly pass the bacteria from one person to another.

Who Is at Risk?

While anyone can get impetigo, certain factors increase the chances, including:

  • Age: Most common in children aged 2 to 5.

  • Warm, Humid Climates: Bacteria thrive in these conditions.

  • Skin Conditions: Issues like eczema, psoriasis, or scabies increase risk.

  • Open Wounds: Cuts, scrapes, or insect bites make it easier for bacteria to enter.

  • Crowded Spaces: Close contact in schools, nurseries, or sports teams helps bacteria spread.

Taking precautions like maintaining hygiene and treating skin injuries can reduce the risk of impetigo.

Impetigo Treatment

Impetigo is usually treated with antibiotics to help the skin heal faster and prevent the infection from spreading to others. Most cases improve within 7 to 10 days with proper treatment. The type of treatment depends on how serious or widespread the infection is.

Topical Treatments:

For smaller areas of infection, doctors often prescribe antibiotic creams or ointments like mupirocin (Bactroban®) or retapamulin (Altabax®). These are applied directly to the infected skin.

  • Gently wash the area with warm soapy water to remove crusts.

  • Apply the cream as directed, usually 2 to 3 times a day.

  • Cover the area loosely with a bandage to prevent spreading.

Oral Antibiotics:

Doctors may prescribe oral antibiotics such as amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin®), cephalosporins, or clindamycin if the infection is severe or covers a large area. These are taken for 7 to 10 days. Be sure to complete the entire course, even if the skin looks better before finishing the medication.

Home Care Tips:

  • Wash your hands before and after touching the infected skin.

  • Keep the area clean and dry.

  • Avoid sharing towels, clothing, or bedding.

For mild cases, over-the-counter antibiotic creams with bacitracin may help, but prescription medication is often more effective. If symptoms don’t improve within a few days, consult your doctor to adjust the treatment.

Impetigo Prevention

While you can’t completely avoid exposure to the bacteria that cause impetigo, you can take steps to reduce the chances of spreading it to others or to different parts of your body. Prevention focuses on good hygiene and proper wound care.

Tips To Prevent Impetigo:

  1. Wash Hands Regularly: Clean your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser when soap isn’t available.

  2. Keep Skin Clean: Bathe daily and wash cuts, scrapes, insect bites, or wounds with soap and water immediately.

  3. Avoid Scratching: Trim fingernails and discourage scratching to prevent bacteria from entering the skin or spreading the infection.

  4. Cover Wounds: Use a bandage to protect any cuts, sores, or rashes until they are fully healed.

  5. Disinfect Personal Items: Wash bedding, clothing, and towels in hot water and avoid sharing these items with others.

  6. Practice Hygiene: Teach children to sneeze into their elbows and wash their hands often, especially after playing outside or touching shared items.

Preventing The Spread Of Impetigo:

  • Gently clean sores with mild soap and running water. Cover them with a non-stick bandage.

  • Wash toys, towels, and linens touched by someone with impetigo.

  • Avoid close contact with others, including hugging, sharing items, or participating in sports, until the infection clears.

  • Keep children with impetigo home from school or daycare until a doctor confirms they are no longer contagious.

By following these steps, you can protect yourself and others from the spread of impetigo while supporting faster healing. Mobi Doctor makes impetigo treatment easy and convenient. Connect with experienced doctors online for fast diagnosis, personalised treatment plans, and expert advice.

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