II. Epidemiology

  1. Preschool children (age 2-5 years old) most often affected
  2. Most common Bacterial Skin Infection in children
  3. Non-Bullous Impetigo represents 70% of cases, whereas Bullous Impetigo represents the remainder
  4. Highly contagious
    1. Spreads across body with scratching, towels or clothing resulting in satellite lesions (autoinoculation)
    2. Spreads easily in daycares and schools

III. Pathophysiology

  1. Streptococcus Pyogenes and Staphylococcus Aureus normally colonize the nose and pharynx, axilla and perineum
  2. Local Skin Trauma allows colonizing Bacteria to break through skin barrier and results in localized infection

IV. Causes

  1. Staphylococcus Aureus
    1. Most common cause of Impetigo
  2. Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus Pyogenes)
    1. May also cause Impetigo, especially in warm, humid climates

V. Predisposing factors

  1. Minor Skin Trauma (e.g. abrasions, Insect Bites)
  2. Hot, humid weather
  3. Poor hygiene
  4. Daycare attendence
  5. Over-crowded living conditions
  6. Comorbid conditions (especially Diabetes Mellitus)
  7. Malnutrition
  8. Atopic Dermatitis
  9. Dialysis

VI. Types

  1. Bullous Impetigo (less common)
    1. Staphylococcal toxin mediated reaction
  2. NonBullous Impetigo (>70%): Described below
    1. Host response to infection
    2. Primary Impetigo (most common)
      1. Due to direct spread of infection
    3. Secondary Impetigo (Common Impetigo)
      1. Related to underlying secondary Impetigo cause
      2. Common predisposing factors (see above)
        1. Diabetes Mellitus
        2. AIDS
        3. Herpes Simplex Virus
        4. Varicella
        5. Insect Bites

VII. Symptoms

  1. Pruritus is often present

VIII. Signs: Streptococcal Impetigo

  1. Distribution
    1. Affects face (esp. nares, perioral), extremities and other exposed areas
  2. Characteristics
    1. Onset with 2 mm Macule or Papule
    2. Rapidly evolves into vessicle and erythematous margin
    3. Vessicle breaks
    4. Leaves erosion with honey colored crust
    5. Full skin thickness lesions occur with Ecthyma due to Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus
  3. Associated findings
    1. Regional Lymphadenopathy

IX. Signs: Staphylococcal Impetigo

  1. Similar to Streptococcal Impetigo
  2. Minimal surrounding erythema
  3. Lesion more shallow

X. Complications

  1. Cellulitis
  2. Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis (PSGN)
    1. Occurs with Streptococcal Impetigo caused by S. pyogenes (the Impetigo strains have minimal nephritogenic potential)
    2. Rare now due to Staphylococcus Aureus as the most Common Impetigo cause (previously 1-5% of Impetigo)
    3. PSGN is most commonly associated with Streptococcal Pharyngitis (also due to Streptococcus Pyogenes)
    4. Not prevented by Antibiotic use

XI. Labs: Optional (Impetigo is clinical diagnosis)

  1. Lesion Gram Stain reveals Gram Positive Cocci
  2. Lesion culture indications
    1. Poststreptoccal Glomerulonephritis outbreaks
    2. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcal aureus suspected

XII. Differential Diagnosis

XIII. Course

  1. Mild to moderate cases are non-scarring, self limited
    1. Untreated cases heal in 3-6 weeks
    2. Treated cases resolve more quickly

XIV. Management

  1. Infections are self-limited even without Antibiotics
    1. However Antibiotics speed resolution and help to prevent spread to others
  2. Topical therapy (as effective as systemic)
    1. Mupirocin (Bactroban) 2% ointment
      1. Applied three times daily to affected area for 7-10 days
      2. May be used in age 2 months and older
    2. Retapamulin (Altabax) 1% ointment
      1. Apply twice daily to affected area for 5 days
      2. May be used in age 9 months and older
      3. Treatment area must be <100 cm2 (or <2% total BSA in children)
    3. Fusidic Acid 2% cream (Not available in United States)
      1. Apply three times daily to affected area for 10-12 days
      2. Koning (2002) BMJ 324:203-6 [PubMed]
  3. Systemic Agents
    1. General
      1. In most cases, topical agents are preferred
      2. Systemics indicated in severe or extensive cases
    2. Preferred systemic agents
      1. Cephalexin (Keflex)
        1. Child: 25-50 mg/kg/day divided bid-qid x10 days
        2. Adult: 250-500 mg PO qid for 10 days
      2. Dicloxacillin
        1. Child: 12.5 to 25 mg/kg/day PO divided qid
        2. Adult: 250-500 mg PO qid for 5-7 days
    3. Staphylococcus suspected (especially if suspected MRSA)
      1. Precautions
        1. Review local antibiograms to determine local resistance rates
        2. Given the self-limited nature of Impetigo, consider topical agents only (see above)
      2. Clindamycin
        1. Adult: 300-600 every 6-8 hours for 10 days
        2. Child: 10-25 mg/kg/day divided every 6 to 8 hours
      3. Doxycycline
        1. Adult: 100 mg twice daily for 10 days
        2. Child: Do not use under age 8 years old
      4. Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (Septra)
        1. Adult: 1 tab twice daily for 10 days
        2. Child: 8-10 mg/kg/day (of trimethoprim component) divided twice daily for 10 days
    4. Other systemic agents with higher resistance rates
      1. Precautions
        1. These agents are not recommended for Impetigo due to high resistance rates
        2. Also, these are less effective given a predominance of Staphylococcus Aureus in Impetigo
      2. Penicillin VK
        1. Child: 25 to 50 mg/kg/day divided qid for 10 days
        2. Adult: 250 mg PO qid for 10 days
      3. Amoxicillin
        1. Child: 40 mg/kg/day PO divided tid for 10 days
        2. Adult: 250 mg PO tid for 10 days
      4. Erythromycin
        1. Child: 30-50 mg/kg/day PO divided qid for 10 days
        2. Adult: 250 mg PO qid for 10 days
  4. Avoid Topical Disinfectants (no better than Placebo)
    1. Hexachlorophene (Phisohex)
    2. Povidone-IodineShampoo offers no benefit
      1. Koning (2002) BMJ 324:203-6 [PubMed]

XV. Prevention

  1. Clean minor injuries with soap and water
  2. Regular Handwashing and bathing
  3. Avoid contact with infected children

XVI. References

  1. Cydulka in Marx (2002) Rosen's Emergency Med., p. 1639
  2. Swartz in Mandell (2000) Infectious Disease, p. 1037
  3. Cole (2007) Am Fam Physician 75(6):859-68 [PubMed]
  4. Brown (2003) Int J Dermatol 42:251-5 [PubMed]
  5. Hartman-Adams (2014) 90(4): 229-35 [PubMed]

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Related Studies

Ontology: Impetigo (C0021099)

Definition (MEDLINEPLUS)

Impetigo is a skin infection caused by bacteria. It is usually caused by staphylococcal (staph) bacteria, but it can also be caused by streptococcal (strep) bacteria. It is most common in children between the ages of two and six. It usually starts when bacteria get into a break in the skin, such as a cut, scratch, or insect bite.

Symptoms start with red or pimple-like sores surrounded by red skin. These sores can be anywhere, but usually they occur on your face, arms and legs. The sores fill with pus, then break open after a few days and form a thick crust. They are often itchy, but scratching them can spread the sores.

Impetigo can spread by contact with sores or nasal discharge from an infected person. You can treat impetigo with antibiotics.

NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Definition (NCI) A contagious bacterial cutaneous infection that affects children and is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus. It usually presents in the face with honey colored scabs.
Definition (MSH) A common superficial bacterial infection caused by STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS or group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Characteristics include pustular lesions that rupture and discharge a thin, amber-colored fluid that dries and forms a crust. This condition is commonly located on the face, especially about the mouth and nose.
Concepts Disease or Syndrome (T047)
MSH D007169
ICD9 684
ICD10 L01 , L01.0, L01.00
SnomedCT 200710001, 156319000, 267836006, 48277006
English Impetigo, Impetigo NOS, Impetigo [any organism] [any site], impetigo, impetigo (diagnosis), Impetigo, unspecified, Impetigo [Disease/Finding], Impetigo NOS (disorder), Superficial pustule, Impetigo (disorder), Impetigo, NOS
Dutch impetigo NAO, Impetigo [elk organisme][elke lokalisatie], impetigo, Impetigo
French Impétigo SAI, Impétigo
German Impetigo NNB, Impetigo contagiosa [jeder Erreger] [jede Lokalisation], Impetigo
Italian Impetigine NAS, Impetigine
Portuguese Impetigo NE, Impetigo
Spanish Impétigo NEOM, impétigo, SAI (trastorno), impétigo, SAI, impétigo (trastorno), impétigo, Impétigo
Japanese 膿痂疹NOS, 膿痂疹, ノウカシン, ノウカシンNOS
Swedish Svinkoppor
Czech impetigo, Impetigo, Impetigo NOS
Finnish Märkärupi
Russian IMPETIGO, ИМПЕТИГО
Korean 농가진[모든 부위][모든 미생물], 농가진
Polish Liszajec
Hungarian impetigo k.m.n., impetigo
Norwegian Impetigo

Ontology: Streptococcal impetigo (C0406097)

Concepts Disease or Syndrome (T047)
SnomedCT 238375000
Italian Impetigine streptococcica
Japanese レンサ球菌性膿痂疹, レンサキュウキンセイノウカシン
Czech Streptokokové impetigo
Hungarian streptococcus impetigo
English Streptococcal impetigo (diagnosis), impetigo streptococcal, Streptococcal impetigo, Streptococcal impetigo (disorder)
Spanish impétigo estreptocócico (trastorno), impétigo estreptocócico, Impétigo estreptocócico
Portuguese Impetigo estreptocócico
Dutch streptokokkenimpetigo
French Impétigo streptococcique
German Impetigo durch Streptokokken

Ontology: Staphylococcal impetigo (C0853937)

Concepts Disease or Syndrome (T047)
Italian Impetigine stafilococcica
Japanese ブドウ球菌性膿痂疹, ブドウキュウキンセイノウカシン
Czech Stafylokokové impetigo
English Staphylococcal impetigo
Hungarian Staphylococcus impetigo
Portuguese Impetigo estafilocócico
Spanish Impétigo estafilocócico
Dutch stafylokokkenimpetigo
French Impétigo staphylococcique
German Impetigo durch Staphylokokken