After taking antibiotic medication as prescribed, impetigo healing time is usually about a week. Though this skin infection may take several days to clear, the contagion period for impetigo typically ends within about 24 hours of treatment.
If you or your child have signs of this very common rash, which can be identified by its characteristically inflamed and honey-colored crusting, you may wonder about impetigo stages and recovery. Though it’s typically a mild condition, starting treatment as soon as possible can help reduce the risk of complications and prevent it from spreading to others.
If you or someone you know is affected by this infection, here’s what you need to know about the stages of impetigo, treatment duration, healing, and recovery.
What is Impetigo?
Impetigo is a common, highly contagious bacterial skin infection that typically initially begins as irritated and sometimes painful blisters and sores. Impetigo is also known as infantigo. It usually affects young children, most commonly those ages two to five. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while it’s usually a mild condition, more serious problems can arise if left untreated.
Impetigo can show up anywhere on the body but typically involves the face and extremities.
Causes
Impetigo is caused by bacteria — typically either Staphylococcus (staph) aureus or group A Streptococcus (strep) – that enter the body through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person via a break in the skin, such as a wound, bug bite, or rash. If you have a scabies infection you’re at increased risk, too. (Impetigo can also be caused by methicillin-resistant staph aureus, or MRSA, which is becoming more prevalent, particularly in hospitals.)
It’s important to note that without treatment, impetigo may remain contagious for several weeks and/or until the rash dries up, fades, and no new lesions appear. This period of the infection greatly increases the risk of infecting others, especially other children.
Symptoms
Most of the time, impetigo rashes appear about two to 10 days after being infected.
Initial symptoms present as red bumps on the skin (usually the face, arms, or legs) which usually develop into blisters and burst. This is followed by a “honey-colored” crust which is considered a classic sign of impetigo. In some cases, painful sores can develop.
If you have symptoms like fever, severe pain, increasing redness and swelling, or loss of appetite, it could be a sign of a more serious infection. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you notice these symptoms.
Who is Most Susceptible to Getting Impetigo?
The condition is most common among young children ages two to five, but it may affect anyone at any age.
Though impetigo impacts both male and female children roughly equally, in adults, it’s more common in males. It most often occurs in the summer and fall. Since impetigo-causing bacteria is more readily able to infect someone via a skin trauma, factors that make someone more likely to contract impetigo include:
- A tendency to scratch the skin
- Lice or insect bites
- Varicella (the virus that causes chickenpox)
- Comprised skin such as cuts, burns, or other traumas
- Malnutrition or immunosuppression
- Crowded living conditions or close-contact environments (e.g., schools, daycare centers)
- Diabetes
- Poor hygiene
Keep in mind that having impetigo doesn’t create resistance to impetigo-causing bacteria, so there’s always the risk of re-infection.
Here’s what else to know about impetigo treatment and management.
How Long Does Impetigo Last?
Impetigo typically clears within a week of treatment with antibiotic creams or antibiotic pills. A doctor can determine once someone is no longer contagious, which usually happens within 24 hours.
Without treatment, impetigo usually heals within three weeks. However, it’s possible that the infection will last for up to six or more weeks.
Keep in mind that those with impetigo remain contagious as long as they are infected. That’s why many doctors recommend treatment: It reduces the length of illness as well as the risk of spreading it to others.
Complications like the rash spreading to deeper layers of skin (a condition called ecthyma) are rare, but can happen, particularly without treatment. The risk of other rare adverse outcomes, including renal failure, septic arthritis, or scarlet fever, can be reduced by undergoing antibiotic treatment.
How Do You Treat Impetigo?
Antibiotic topical treatments are an effective way to treat impetigo infections.
Oral antibiotics, meanwhile, are typically only prescribed to children when there are either several body parts or a large area of skin affected. Due to an increased risk of side effects of antibiotic pills compared to creams, experts typically recommend sticking to topical treatment, especially when treating children.
Though anti-bacterial disinfectant topical treatments are also available, experts say there’s not enough evidence to suggest that they can effectively treat impetigo.
Gently washing the skin with an antibacterial soap several times a day is also recommended to help remove flakiness and soothe the skin as it heals.
How Do You Prevent Impetigo?
People are more likely to get impetigo when they don’t practice healthy hygiene habits. This in part is why the condition is much more prevalent in children, who are more likely to play with each other — perhaps with scrapes or other susceptible wounds — without sufficient washing.
In the case of an existing impetigo infection, reduce the risk of the condition spreading by:
- Washing your hands regularly with soap and water
- Keeping hands away from the rash and sores
- Not sharing towels with others
- Washing potentially infected sheets, clothes, etc. at a temperature of at least 140 °F
- Avoiding others until the doctor deems the infection no longer contagious
When Should You See a Doctor for Impetigo?
It’s a good idea to see a doctor for any rash that worsens, grows, or persists, particularly if you think the rash is impetigo. A doctor can also rule out other conditions that are commonly mistaken for impetigo, including fungal rashes or scabies.
Due to its distinct appearance, doctors can often identify impetigo by sight. They may occasionally need to conduct a swab test to be sure.
Worried About Impetigo? Work with a Piction Dermatologist.
If you suspect you or your child has impetigo, consult a Piction Dermatologist for prompt support today. These experts can assess the rash, prescribe the most effective antibiotic treatment, and recommend a suitable self-care regimen to promote optimal healing.
They can then determine when it’s safe for you to return to work (or your child can go back to school) or other activities.
