Impetigo
- 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 - Viewer Comments: Impetigo - Length Symptoms Lasted
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.
Next: Impetigo Causes »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Impetigo - Length Symptoms Lasted
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
How long did the symptoms of your impetigo last? Was there anything in particular that helped with pain/symptom relief?
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Impetigo »
Impetigo is a highly contagious gram-positive bacterial infection of the superficial layers of the epidermis.
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