Is impetigo a form of herpes?
It’s true that both of these skin infections are contagious and can be passed on by sexual contact, but impetigo infections can’t cause herpes outbreaks and vice versa.
How do you describe impetigo lesions?
Impetigo starts as a red, itchy sore. As it heals, a crusty, yellow or “honey-colored” scab forms over the sore. In general, impetigo is a mild infection that can occur anywhere on the body. It most often affects exposed skin, such as around the nose and mouth or on the arms or legs.
Why is impetigo contagious?
Impetigo can spread to anyone who touches infected skin or items that have been touched by infected skin (such as clothing, towels, and bed linens). It can be itchy, so kids also can spread the infection when they scratch it and then touch other parts of their body.
Do you need to see a doctor for impetigo?
If you and your parents think you have impetigo, you should see a doctor. A doctor usually can tell if you have impetigo by examining your skin. If you have mild impetigo, your doctor probably will prescribe an antibiotic ointment, which gets put right on your skin.
What looks similar to impetigo?
Some skin rashes are just as contagious as impetigo. These include cold sores, ringworm, scabies, and chickenpox. Impetigo is different from rashes that are caused by an allergic reaction. The latter aren’t contagious, and these rashes don’t spread from person to person.
What triggers impetigo?
Impetigo is caused by bacteria, usually staphylococci organisms. You might be exposed to the bacteria that cause impetigo when you come into contact with the sores of someone who’s infected or with items they’ve touched — such as clothing, bed linen, towels and even toys.
What can impetigo be confused with?
Impetigo can be confused with other skin infections, including cellulitis (a deeper infection) and even ringworm. Causes of common childhood skin disorders include: Impetigo. Ringworm.
What does the beginning of impetigo look like?
The first signs of impetigo are reddish sores on the skin, often clustered around the nose and lips. These sores quickly grow into blisters, ooze and burst, and then form a yellowish crust. The clusters of blisters may expand to cover more of the skin.