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A common and contagious bacterial skin infection primarily affects young children.
What is it?
Impetigo is a highly contagious skin disease most common among young children, although it can affect people of all ages. The ailment is marked by red sores or blisters that can occur anywhere on the body but typically begin on the arms, legs and face. Impetigo blisters frequently break open, drain for a few days, and then form a honey-colored crust. Although this condition can be itchy and uncomfortable, it rarely leads to serious health complications.
It’s important to treat impetigo to reduce the risk of developing additional complications, including new sores or blisters, and to reduce the risk of spreading impetigo to others.
How is it treated?
Impetigo is most commonly treated with antibiotics. Our experienced and board-certified dermatologists can help your child by prescribing topical antibiotics to apply directly on the impacted skin areas. We may also prescribe an oral liquid antibiotic for more severe cases if the infection covers large or multiple areas.
Once the infection clears, impetigo is typically unable to spread the bacteria to others. Our dermatologists in Farmington Hills, Shelby Township, Clinton Township, Warren and St. Claire Shores, Michigan, can advise on how to manage symptoms, halt impetigo from spreading and avoid reoccurrence.