Impetigo is a common contagious skin infection that may be caused by two germs— Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. Recommended treatment depends on which germs are causing impetigo. With the right treatment, impetigo usually goes away within two to three weeks. The signs of impetigo include red sores that pop easily and leave a yellow crust, fluid-filled blisters, itchy rash, skin lesions, and swollen lymph nodes. The sores can be uncomfortable and painful.
Impetigo is typically spread through skin-to-skin contact with an individual who has impetigo, but it can also be spread by contact with objects someone with impetigo has touched (for example, towels, blankets, and toys). It is recommended that children with impetigo be excluded from care until 24 hours after treatment is started.24