10 Impetigo Symptoms

By harper

Reviewed: dr. vanta

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. CDC. 'Impetigo: All You Need to Know | CDC.' CDC, 2021, www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/impetigo.html
• 2. Kids Health. 'Impetigo (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth.' Kids Health, 2021, kidshealth.org/en/parents/impetigo.html
• 3. Mayo Clinic. 'Impetigo - Symptoms and Causes.' Mayo Clinic, 21 Apr. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/impetigo/symptoms-causes/syc-20352352
• 4. NHS Inform. 'Impetigo Symptoms and Treatments.' NHS Inform, 2021, www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/impetigo
• 5. Mayo Clinic. 'Fever - Symptoms and Causes.' Mayo Clinic, 13 May 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20352759
• 6. NHS. 'Swollen Glands.' NHS, 20 Oct. 2020, www.nhs.uk/conditions/swollen-glands
• 7. SkinSight. 'Skinsight - Impetigo.' SkinSight, 2021, www.skinsight.com/skin-conditions/adult/impetigo

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Impetigo is a contagious skin infection that's frequently seen in young children. However, a person of any age can get impetigo. In most cases, impetigo isn't serious, but the symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable. Typically, it begins on the face or hands but can spread to other parts of the body. It's usually caused by strains of staph or strep bacteria.

As impetigo is contagious, it's recommended to avoid touching the affected areas and keep those with the condition away from others until they've recovered. Common treatments for impetigo include antibiotic cream or tablets and calming lotions to relieve any discomfort.

Red Sores

In the majority of cases, impetigo is an easy-to-spot infection that rarely goes unnoticed due to its signature red sores.¹CDC. ‘Impetigo: All You Need to Know | CDC.’ CDC, 2021, www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/impetigo.html These sores can be of any size and are commonly located around the nose and mouth or on the hands and forearms. In very young children, red sores may also appear around the diaper area, although an impetigo breakout can occur anywhere on the body.²Kids Health. ‘Impetigo (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth.’ Kids Health, 2021, kidshealth.org/en/parents/impetigo.html

Red sores associated with impetigo are regularly associated with discomfort, and many people cite sores as the first sign of an impetigo infection. Upon noticing new red sores, visiting a doctor is highly recommended.¹CDC. ‘Impetigo: All You Need to Know | CDC.’ CDC, 2021, www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/impetigo.html

Itching

Another typical sign of an impetigo infection is itching. Itchiness caused by impetigo is usually localized at the site of the infection and rarely occurs elsewhere on the body. Those dealing with impetigo should expect to experience mild to moderate itching. However, sometimes itching can become intense.¹CDC. ‘Impetigo: All You Need to Know | CDC.’ CDC, 2021, www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/impetigo.html

When experiencing itching caused by impetigo, it's important to prevent scratching as this can cause the infection to spread and can even cause a more serious infection affecting the deeper layers of the skin, called cellulitis.²Kids Health. ‘Impetigo (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth.’ Kids Health, 2021, kidshealth.org/en/parents/impetigo.html

Clear or Yellow Fluid

Shortly after the red sores form, they rupture. Once this happens, clear or yellow fluid leaks from the sores before drying out over a few days.³Mayo Clinic. ‘Impetigo - Symptoms and Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 21 Apr. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/impetigo/symptoms-causes/syc-20352352 This fluid is normal when experiencing impetigo, and as long as there is no odor coming from the sores, there isn't a cause for concern.

However, if the fluid becomes dark and has an odor, it's best to speak with a doctor to rule out a more serious infection.

Crusty Scabs

Once the fluid from the ruptured impetigo sores leaks, it dries out. After two or three days, the fluid should form crusted scabs at the infection site. These scabs are commonly yellow or brown.¹CDC. ‘Impetigo: All You Need to Know | CDC.’ CDC, 2021, www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/impetigo.html

Scabs caused by impetigo are usually approximately 2cm across. Once the skin beneath the scab has healed, the crust should naturally fall off the skin, leaving red marks that heal without a scar. It's important not to remove the scab before it's ready as this could cause further infection.⁴NHS Inform. ‘Impetigo Symptoms and Treatments.’ NHS Inform, 2021, www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/impetigo

Fever

A fever is a less common symptom of impetigo; however, it's an important one to be aware of. Most people feel generally well with impetigo, but in rarer cases, an impetigo infection can become more severe and trigger a fever.⁴NHS Inform. ‘Impetigo Symptoms and Treatments.’ NHS Inform, 2021, www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/impetigo

Fever in itself is not a concern if it is mild. However, if the fever is high, medical advice and treatment is needed. Seek immediate medical attention if the fever is high and associated with persistent vomiting or seizures.⁵Mayo Clinic. ‘Fever - Symptoms and Causes.’ Mayo Clinic, 13 May 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20352759

Swollen Glands

Swollen glands are another symptom that isn't seen in most mild cases of impetigo, but they can develop in moderate and severe forms.⁴NHS Inform. ‘Impetigo Symptoms and Treatments.’ NHS Inform, 2021, www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/impetigo Swollen glands are a sign your body is fighting an infection and are characterized by painful lumps in the neck or under the chin.⁶NHS. ‘Swollen Glands.’ NHS, 20 Oct. 2020, www.nhs.uk/conditions/swollen-glands

In some cases of impetigo, swollen glands may occur and are not a cause for concern. However, if swollen glands last longer than two weeks and are painful, speaking with a medical professional is recommended.⁶NHS. ‘Swollen Glands.’ NHS, 20 Oct. 2020, www.nhs.uk/conditions/swollen-glands

Fluid-Filled Blisters

Most cases of impetigo are considered to be non-bullous impetigo, but in less common cases, people experience bullous impetigo. Those who have bullous impetigo typically encounter some different symptoms, including large fluid-filled blisters and a higher chance of experiencing fevers and swollen glands.⁴NHS Inform. ‘Impetigo Symptoms and Treatments.’ NHS Inform, 2021, www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/impetigo

Blisters in bullous impetigo are typically 1 to 2cm in size and spread quickly. As with the sores in non-bullous impetigo, they may be somewhat painful, itchy and highly contagious.⁴NHS Inform. ‘Impetigo Symptoms and Treatments.’ NHS Inform, 2021, www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/impetigo

A Spreading Site of Infection

It's well known that impetigo is an infectious condition that can easily spread from person to person. However, many don't realize it can also easily spread to new sites on the same person.

Touching an impetigo sore or blister and then touching another area of the body can result in a new impetigo site. For this reason, scratching should be prevented, and sores should be covered where possible.²Kids Health. ‘Impetigo (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth.’ Kids Health, 2021, kidshealth.org/en/parents/impetigo.html To prevent the urge to scratch, calming lotion can be applied.

Discomfort

As well as the itching caused by impetigo, the infection can cause other feelings of discomfort, such as soreness and pain. Pain is far less common, but if the infection progresses or the patient scratches the site, pain may occur.⁴NHS Inform. ‘Impetigo Symptoms and Treatments.’ NHS Inform, 2021, www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/impetigo

Non-bullous impetigo sores are less likely to be painful but often become sore, whereas bullous impetigo blisters regularly become large and painful.⁴NHS Inform. ‘Impetigo Symptoms and Treatments.’ NHS Inform, 2021, www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/impetigo To prevent pain caused by impetigo, doctors may recommend painkillers.

Feeling Unwell

As previously mentioned, most people with impetigo feel generally unwell, and symptoms typically remain localized to the infection site. However, for young children or elderly adults, feeling under the weather because of impetigo is not uncommon.

If someone feels under the weather, develops a fever, experiences a general feeling of malaise or they believe their symptoms are caused by coming into contact with someone who has an impetigo infection, seeking medical attention is highly advised.⁷SkinSight. ‘Skinsight - Impetigo.’ SkinSight, 2021, www.skinsight.com/skin-conditions/adult/impetigo