Impetigo is a common but often misunderstood skin condition, that you may not even have heard of. But what causes it? And what treatments are available?

6 minute read 

Impetigo is a contagious skin condition that can affect people of any age from babies, to adults, but it is more common in younger children.

Its characteristics make it easy to identify, so let’s look deeper Impetigo, and get a better understanding on how it is controlled.

What is impetigo?

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection, that is caused primarily by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Bacteria can sneak their way into cuts, scrapes, and even pesky insect bites, potentially causing a contagious infection to take hold. This kind of infection can result in the formation of blisters or angry red sores on the skin, and this is known as Impetigo. These red sores can be more difficult to identify on darker skin tones.

Impetigo in the UK: The stats

Impetigo is one of the most prevalent skin infections which affects thousands of people every year. Studies show in the UK around 2.8% of children up to 4 years of age, and 1.6% of children aged 5–15 years develop Impetigo annually. That’s why its early detection and treatment are so important to controlling its spread and managing impetigo effectively. That's why it's crucial to detect and treat impetigo early to effectively control its spread and manage it.

Spotting impetigo

It’s important to keep an eye out for the symptoms of impetigo, but first, you have to know what you are looking for! The infection begins with sores or blisters on the skin that become filled with fluid. As these blisters or sores burst, they can leave a golden-brown crusty patch. They can be itchy and sometimes painful as they get bigger and can also spread to other parts of your body. The signs of Impetigo are quite distinctive which can help in early diagnosis.

Impetigo on the face

You can get Impetigo anywhere on your body, but getting in on your face is quite common. This can cause a lot of distress as it is clearly visible and hard to cover up. Many people may be embarrassed and it can affect their self-esteem, especially young children. On a positive note, early detection can help to get treatment and limit the spreading of the infection.

Who's at risk?

Anyone can get Impetigo, but it mostly affects children. As it is contagious and spreads easily through close physical contact, it commonly occurs in schools and daycare centres. Here adults can also be exposed and be infected with Impetigo, especially if they have weakened immune systems. It can spread in any crowded spaces and through skin-to-skin contact.

What causes it?

Impetigo is a bacterial infection caused when either Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes get into the skin. These bacteria can enter the skin through cuts, abrasions, or other openings, leading to infection. The transmission can also occur through direct contact with an infected person or by touching contaminated surfaces. 

The impact of stress

Stress is something we all have to deal with in our busy lives daily. With increased pressure at work, family responsibilities and other factors you can easily develop chronic stress that can affect your general health. While stress does not cause Impetigo, it can make you more likely to get it. When your body is stressed, it releases hormones such as Cortisol, which can over time make the immune system less effective. So, chronic stress can make your immune system weaker, which means you can become more prone to getting bacterial infections such as Impetigo. 

Being stressed can make you more susceptible to infections including impetigo. This is why it’s so important to manage your stress levels, not only for your mental health but also for your physical well-being and overall health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can all help to reduce your stress levels and the likelihood of you getting sick. If you are concerned that you may have Impetigo you should talk to your GP, or healthcare professional so they can give you a diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan.

Treatment strategies

The most important thing is to first get a verified diagnosis from a healthcare professional. Once you have a confirmed diagnosis of Impetigo, your doctor may prescribe you with an antiseptic such as hydrogen peroxide cream, or if it is really bad a course of oral or topical antibiotics to kill off the bacteria which is causing the infection. You must complete the full course of your treatment for it to be effective, even if you think your symptoms have gone away. Otherwise, it may come back again. 

Impetigo treatment at home

If you prefer home remedies instead of medical treatment you can try a few things. It’s important to keep the area clean and dry. Resist the urge to itch and scratch the sores, otherwise the bacteria will spread. You can get over-the-counter antibiotic creams to help the body heal within 7-12 days. It is however recommended that you speak to a healthcare professional before you try any home treatments.

Can you get rid of Impetigo in 24 hours?

If you search online you may come across articles on, “how to get rid of Impetigo in 24 hours”. This might appeal to you, especially if you are suffering from Impetigo on your face, but in reality, this is a false promise. It is not possible to recover from Impetigo within 24 hours. The fastest way to recovery is to see a healthcare professional and follow your prescribed treatment whilst maintaining a good hygiene practice.

Summary

Now you know more about Impetigo, its risks, signs of symptoms, and challenges, you should hopefully be able to recognise it when you see it. This will help you to seek medical advice for a diagnosis and treatment much sooner, so you can start your healing journey as soon as possible.

If you think you may have Impetigo, or think someone you know may have it, speak to your local healthcare professional as soon as you can.