• 10 Aug, 2026
• SendClinic
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Impetigo: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment | SendClinic

What Is Impetigo?

You notice a small red sore near your child’s nose. Within a day or two, it breaks open, oozes, and forms a yellowish-brown crust. Sound familiar? This is a very common picture of impetigo, a skin infection that affects millions of children — and adults — every year. While it can look alarming, the good news is that impetigo is treatable and usually clears up quickly with the right care.

Impetigo is one of the most common bacterial skin infections in young children. It spreads easily from person to person, especially in schools, daycares, and households. Understanding what causes it, how to spot it, and when to seek treatment can help you act fast and protect the people around you.

What Causes Impetigo?

Impetigo is caused by bacteria. The two most common culprits are Staphylococcus aureus (staph) and Streptococcus pyogenes (strep). These bacteria live on the skin and in the environment. They cause an infection when they enter the body through a cut, scrape, insect bite, or even a patch of irritated skin.

The infection spreads through direct contact with the sores of someone who has it, or by touching items they have used — like towels, clothing, or toys. This is why it travels so quickly through classrooms and families. Children between the ages of 2 and 5 are most commonly affected, but anyone can develop impetigo, especially if they have a cut or a skin condition like eczema.

Warm, humid weather also creates conditions where bacteria thrive and spread more easily. This is why impetigo tends to show up more often during summer months. Poor hygiene, crowded living conditions, and skin injuries all increase the risk of developing the infection.

Recognizing the Symptoms

The most recognizable sign of impetigo is a sore that begins as a small red bump or blister. It quickly breaks open and weeps fluid. As it dries, it forms a thick, honey-colored crust. These sores most often appear around the nose and mouth, but they can show up anywhere on the body — including the hands, neck, and diaper area in infants.

There are two main types of impetigo. Non-bullous impetigo is the most common form. It starts as tiny red sores that burst and leave behind the crusty yellow patches described above. Bullous impetigo is less common and causes larger fluid-filled blisters that may last longer before breaking open. Both types can be itchy, which makes scratching — and spreading — hard to resist.

In most cases, impetigo does not cause fever or make a child feel very ill. However, the sores can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. In rare cases, the infection can spread deeper into the skin or lead to complications, which is one reason it is important to get it checked out by a licensed provider rather than hoping it goes away on its own.

How Is Impetigo Diagnosed and Treated?

A healthcare provider can usually identify impetigo by looking at the sores. In some cases, they may take a swab of the affected area to find out which bacteria is causing the infection. This can help guide the right treatment choice, especially if the infection has not responded to initial care.

Treatment typically involves antibiotics — either applied directly to the skin or taken by mouth, depending on how widespread or severe the infection is. Topical antibiotics, such as mupirocin, are often used for mild cases. Oral antibiotics may be prescribed when the infection covers a larger area or has not improved with topical treatment. It is important to complete the full course of antibiotics as directed, even if the sores start to clear up before the medication is finished.

You can also gently clean the crusted sores with soap and water to help them heal. Keeping the area covered with a loose bandage can reduce the chance of spreading the infection to others. Always wash your hands thoroughly after touching the sores or anything that has come into contact with them.

Preventing the Spread of Impetigo

Because impetigo is so contagious, stopping it from spreading is just as important as treating it. The most effective step you can take is frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water. This is especially important after touching the infected area or handling any items the infected person has used.

Keep towels, washcloths, bed linens, and clothing separate from other household members until the infection is cleared. Avoid sharing these items. Trim fingernails short to reduce the chance of spreading bacteria through scratching. Sores should be covered with a clean bandage whenever possible.

Children with impetigo should generally stay home from school or daycare until a provider says it is safe to return — usually after they have been on antibiotics for at least 24 to 48 hours and the sores are no longer draining. Letting a school or daycare know about the infection helps prevent it from spreading to other children.

When Should You See a Provider?

If you notice crusty, weeping sores on yourself or your child, it is a good idea to reach out to a healthcare provider sooner rather than later. Impetigo does not go away on its own without treatment, and waiting too long can allow the infection to spread to other parts of the body or to other people.

You should seek care right away if the sores are spreading rapidly, if they appear deep or very painful, if there is swelling or redness spreading beyond the sore, or if your child develops a fever. These can be signs that the infection has become more serious and needs prompt attention.

Getting care has never been easier. SendClinic offers fast, affordable video and phone visits with licensed providers — no insurance required. If you think you or your child may have impetigo, you can connect with a provider from home and get evaluated quickly without a long wait at the doctor’s office.

Moving Forward

Impetigo is uncomfortable and highly contagious, but it is also very treatable. Catching it early, following your provider’s treatment plan, and taking steps to stop the spread can help you and your family get through it quickly. With the right care, most cases of impetigo clear up within a week or two.

If you are unsure whether what you are seeing is impetigo or another skin condition, do not guess. Reach out to a licensed provider who can take a closer look and point you in the right direction. SendClinic makes it simple to get the care you need, when you need it — all from the comfort of home.

References

• Hartman-Adams, Holly, Clark Banvard, and Gary Juckett. “Impetigo: Diagnosis and Treatment.” American Family Physician. 2014.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Impetigo: All You Need to Know.” CDC.gov. 2022.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Impetigo.” Mayo Clinic. 2023.
• Koning, Sander, et al. “Interventions for Impetigo.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2012.
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. “Staphylococcal Infections.” NIH.gov. 2023.