Impetigo im-peh-TIE-go is a bacterial infection of the skin that is more common in young children than other ages. Doctors use antibiotics to treat impetigo and prevent rare, but serious long-term health problems. Antibiotics can also help protect others from getting sick. Impetigo is a skin infection caused by one or both of the following bacteria: group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. This page focuses on impetigo caused by group A Streptococcus , which are also called group A strep. In addition to impetigo, group A strep cause many different infections.

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How to Treat Impetigo and Control This Common Skin Infection | FDA
Impetigo is a bacterial infection that occurs most often in young children ages 2 to 5. They can still contract it — usually by catching it from their children — but the treatment is the same, says Vikash S. Impetigo is contagious and is passed through direct physical contact. But if the skin is compromised in some way, whether through a scrape or a bug bite or an eczema flare-up, the risk of developing impetigo increases. The good news is that both types of impetigo are easily treated. The key is to treat it early. Friedler recommends applying Vaseline, Bactroban mupirocin , or Bacitracin to the bite or cut and then covering the area with a bandage to help promote healing.


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When there was an outbreak of impetigo at their school two months ago, both of our children, aged seven and nine, got it. The younger girl was treated with antibiotic cream and got better quickly. The older boy had a worse attack, with spots on hands and face, and had to take antibiotics for a week.



Rashes that involve the skin of the face can be caused by infections, irritations or inflammatory reactions. Local reactions cause a variety of facial skin rashes; however, some facial rashes can be caused by systemic medical conditions as well. If not treated promptly, some of these facial rashes can lead to long-term facial skin problems.