Is It Impetigo or Something Else? 8 Distinguishing Factors - Everyday Health

7. Impetigo Can Be a Complication of Another Skin Condition

What's interesting about impetigo is that this skin infection is sometimes a complication of another skin condition.

If you have a dry or itchy rash from eczema, chickenpox, or another similar ailment, scratching the rash can break your skin. This can provide a point of entry for the staph or strep bacteria. (9)

Take steps to soothe itchy skin if you have any type of rash. This includes applying topical anti-itch cream or other soothing lotion. Keeping a rash covered with gauze can help prevent scratching and complications. (11) Keeping the skin covered can also prevent the spread of contagious rashes to other people.

8. Impetigo Can Cause Complications Itself, But You Can Prevent Them by Taking Simple Steps

The good news is that impetigo is generally harmless and doesn't cause severe complications in most people. If you choose not to treat the rash with antibiotics, there's the risk of developing ecthyma (when impetigo penetrates a deeper layer of the skin). (3)

This can lead to permanent skin scarring, but these deep infections are more likely to occur in those with a weakened immune system. (3) Simple hygiene and topical antibiotics are all that are needed to speed resolution and prevent deeper infections, explains Pescatore.

Other complications of impetigo can include cellulitis, which is when the infection affects the tissue underlying the skin. The strep bacteria can also lead to poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. This is when an immune reaction results in kidney inflammation and renal damage. (3)

Once treatment begins with antibiotics, you're no longer contagious after 24 to 48 hours. Even so, you must take steps to prevent recurrent impetigo infections. (2)

Avoid sharing personal items, and wash your bath towels, linens, and any clothes worn during the infection in hot water. You can also help avoid recurrent infections by avoiding close contact with anyone who has a skin rash or lesions. (3)

One Last Note on the Importance of Getting an Impetigo Diagnosis

If you suspect impetigo, make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist as soon as possible to begin treatment and clear the infection.

Some skin rashes are minor and treatable with over-the-counter medication. But some highly contagious skin rashes and infections require prescription medication. So don't ignore any unusual bumps, lesions, or blisters on the skin. A doctor can determine the exact cause (bacterial, fungal, viral, allergic) and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Quick action lowers the risk of spreading the infection to other parts of your body and to other people.

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