Symptoms of Infantigo

Infantigo, more commonly known as impetigo, is a skin infection caused by a staphylococcus (staph) bacterial infection. The contagious form of the infection can be caused by staph or streptococci (strep) bacteria. The bacteria infection is characterized by skin blisters and lesions. Impetigo is most common in children.

Causes

Impetigo is caused by bacteria entering the skin through an open wound or insect bite. Bacteria lives on skin naturally, but can cause an infection once skin has broken. Once the bacteria is inside the body, it produces a toxin that splits the skin open and causes the rash seen with the infection. This broken skin is the first symptom of the disease.

Rash Location

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Imeptigo can cause a rash anywhere on the body, but typically it is seen on the face. Around the nose and mouth is the most common place for the rash to occur.

Red Sore Stage

The first stage of the impetigo skin rash begins as a discolored red sore. If the case is the contagious form, the red area will typically begin 4 to 10 days after being exposed.

Blister Stage

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The red sore will later develop fluid-filled blisters. The blisters are very thin and rupture easily. The blisters will also ooze and weep. The fluid inside the blisters is straw-colored.

Crust Stage

The rash forms a honey colored crust as it dries up and goes away. The rash can be quite itchy, and can be mildly painful. A fever does not normally accompany this infection.

Improvement of Rash Symptoms

The impetigo rash will begin to go away once it is treated with antibiotics, and it does not normally leave any scars on the skin.