Impetigo

Summer Skin Hazards Slideshow

• Impetigo Overview
• Impetigo Causes
• Impetigo Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Impetigo Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Related impetigo articles:
  Impetigo - on WebMD

Impetigo - on MedicineNet

Impetigo Overview

Impetigo is a common type of skin infection. If you pick at sores or scratch itchy bites, you may cause bacteria to enter your skin and cause impetigo.

• Bacteria get below the surface of the skin, usually by some sort of break in the skin. Typically, the break in the skin will be noticed (such as a skinned knee or a cut, even an insect bite), but a very small, even microscopic, break is common.

• Once the bacteria get into the inner layers of the skin, they grow and multiply, creating a blister. Usually, this blister becomes filled with pus and bursts, leaving a crust.