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June 19, 2013
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Impetigo

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Impetigo Overview

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

  • Bacteria may enter through some sort of break in the skin. Typically the break in the skin is obvious (such as a skinned knee or a cut, or even an insect bite), but even very small, microscopic breaks may allow for bacteria to enter.
  • 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. It is this blistering and crusting which is typical of impetigo.
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Impetigo - Length Symptoms Lasted

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Impetigo - Treatment

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Impetigo »

Impetigo is a highly contagious gram-positive bacterial infection of the superficial layers of the epidermis.

Read More on Medscape Reference »


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