Impetigo: What Is It, and How Is It Treated?
Quick answer: Impetigo is a common, highly contagious bacterial skin infection — usually caused by staph or strep — that produces red sores and honey-colored crusts and generally needs medical treatment with antibiotics. See a physician or dermatologist for diagnosis and care. At Deeper Healing in Charleston, SC, we support your overall skin and immune health alongside that standard medical treatment.
Updated: August 25, 2026 · Reviewed by Michael Bauerschmidt, MD
Key takeaways
- Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection, most common in young children but possible at any age.
- According to the CDC, it is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus or group A Streptococcus bacteria entering through breaks in the skin.
- Because it spreads easily by contact, impetigo should be seen and treated by a physician or dermatologist — typically with topical or oral antibiotics.
- With proper medical treatment, impetigo usually clears well; untreated infection can occasionally lead to complications such as cellulitis.
- Deeper Healing does not treat or cure impetigo — we support your general skin and immune health alongside your doctor’s care.
What is impetigo?
Impetigo is a common and highly contagious bacterial infection of the skin, most often seen in infants and young children but able to affect anyone. It develops when bacteria — usually Staphylococcus aureus or group A Streptococcus — enter through a cut, scrape, insect bite, or other break in the skin, producing red sores or blisters that rupture and form a distinctive honey-colored crust, frequently around the nose and mouth. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, impetigo spreads through direct contact and generally requires medical treatment with antibiotics. As reported by the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus, it is one of the most common skin infections in children.
What are the symptoms of impetigo?
Impetigo tends to appear on exposed skin and can spread to nearby areas. Common signs include:
- Red sores or small blisters, often around the nose and mouth
- Sores that burst and ooze, then form a honey-colored or golden crust
- Itching and mild soreness around the affected skin
- Clusters of lesions that spread with scratching or contact
- Occasionally, fluid-filled blisters (bullous impetigo)
- Swollen nearby lymph nodes in some cases
Because impetigo is contagious and can resemble other skin conditions, any new crusting or spreading skin sores should be evaluated by a physician or dermatologist.
What causes impetigo — and why overall skin and immune health matter
Impetigo is caused by bacteria, most often Staphylococcus aureus or group A Streptococcus, that enter through broken skin and multiply. Data from the CDC’s group A strep resources emphasize that the active infection needs conventional medical treatment — antibiotics prescribed and monitored by a qualified provider. At the same time, the skin’s barrier function and a person’s general immune resilience are part of overall wellness, and standard medical guidance emphasizes good skin hygiene and wound care to reduce spread. At Deeper Healing, our role is not to treat the infection but to support your general skin and immune health alongside the care your physician provides.
According to the CDC, impetigo is a common, contagious skin infection caused by group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus, and it is treated with antibiotics. Source: CDC — Impetigo (Group A Strep).
How Deeper Healing supports patients with impetigo
Impetigo itself is treated by your physician or dermatologist, usually with topical or oral antibiotics, and that medical care should always come first. Deeper Healing does not diagnose or treat the infection. What we offer is complementary support for your overall wellness: reviewing general skin and immune health, nutrition, and the body’s overall toxic burden through environmental medicine and supportive therapies such as light and oxygen therapies. Our aim is to support your general resilience while you follow the treatment plan your doctor prescribes.
Conventional care vs a supportive wellness approach
| Standard medical care (your physician) | Deeper Healing supportive wellness |
|---|---|
| Diagnoses impetigo and prescribes antibiotics | Supports general skin and immune health alongside that care |
| Clears the active bacterial infection | Reviews nutrition, overall wellness, and body burden |
| Advises on hygiene to prevent spread | Reinforces healthy-skin and lifestyle habits |
| Monitors for complications and recurrence | Complements — never replaces — your medical treatment |
Key terms explained
- Impetigo
- A common, contagious bacterial skin infection that causes red sores and honey-colored crusts, most often in young children.
- Honey-colored crust
- The golden-brown crust that forms when impetigo sores ooze and dry — a classic sign clinicians look for.
- Staphylococcus aureus and group A Streptococcus
- The two bacteria that most often cause impetigo when they enter through a break in the skin.
- Contagious
- Able to spread from person to person; impetigo spreads through direct contact with the sores or with items that touched them.
- Bullous impetigo
- A form of impetigo that produces larger fluid-filled blisters, most often caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
- Cellulitis
- A deeper bacterial skin infection that can occasionally develop if impetigo is left untreated — one reason prompt medical care matters.
- Topical antibiotic
- An antibiotic ointment or cream applied directly to the skin, often prescribed for limited or localized impetigo.
- Bacterial culture
- A laboratory test on a swab of the sore used to identify the bacteria and help guide antibiotic choice when needed.
Patient experience
Many families come to us focused on overall wellness while an active issue is being handled by their regular doctor. We’re glad to support general skin and immune health as a complement to that care. Read more about how patients work with our team: Deeper Healing patient stories →
Frequently asked questions
Can impetigo be cured?
Yes. Impetigo is generally treated effectively with antibiotics prescribed by a physician or dermatologist — either a topical ointment or, for more widespread cases, oral antibiotics. Most people improve within days of starting treatment. Because it is contagious and can occasionally lead to complications, impetigo should always be evaluated and treated by a qualified medical provider rather than managed at home alone.
What causes impetigo?
Impetigo is caused by bacteria, most often Staphylococcus aureus or group A Streptococcus. These bacteria enter through breaks in the skin such as cuts, scrapes, insect bites, or areas of irritation, then multiply and produce the characteristic sores and honey-colored crusts. Warm, humid conditions and close contact — common in schools and daycares — can make it easier for the infection to spread.
Is impetigo contagious?
Yes, impetigo is highly contagious. It spreads through direct contact with the sores or with items such as towels, clothing, or bedding that have touched them. Good hand and skin hygiene, keeping sores covered, and following your doctor’s guidance help limit spread. Children are often advised to stay home from school or daycare until a provider confirms they are no longer contagious.
How is impetigo diagnosed?
A physician or dermatologist can usually diagnose impetigo by examining the skin, since the honey-colored crusts are distinctive. In some cases a swab of the sore may be taken to identify the bacteria and guide antibiotic choice, especially if the infection is not improving. Because other skin conditions can look similar, a professional evaluation is important for accurate diagnosis.
Can supporting my overall skin and immune health help?
General skin hygiene, good nutrition, and overall wellness are part of staying healthy, and standard guidance emphasizes clean skin and wound care. However, these supportive steps are not a treatment for an active infection. Impetigo needs proper medical care with antibiotics. At Deeper Healing we can support your general skin and immune health as a complement to — never a replacement for — that medical treatment.
Does Deeper Healing replace my physician or dermatologist for impetigo?
No. Impetigo is a contagious bacterial infection that needs medical care, and your physician or dermatologist should diagnose and treat it, typically with antibiotics. Deeper Healing does not treat or cure impetigo. We complement your standard medical care by supporting your overall skin and immune health and general wellness. Always follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
Where can I find help in Charleston, SC?
For impetigo itself, see a physician or dermatologist promptly for diagnosis and antibiotic treatment. If you are also interested in supporting your overall skin and immune health, Deeper Healing Medical Wellness Center is located at 234 Seven Farms Drive, Suite 110, Charleston, SC 29492, on Daniel Island, and works alongside your regular medical care.
Your next step: support your overall wellness
While impetigo itself is treated by your physician, many people also want to understand the bigger picture of their skin and immune health — including their overall toxic “body burden.” Our free two-minute assessment is a simple way to start that conversation, alongside the medical care your doctor provides.
Take the Toxin Quiz
Two minutes, free, and completely confidential — see whether your overall body burden of toxins could be affecting your general health.
Sources
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Impetigo (Group A Strep)
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — About Group A Strep
- U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus — Impetigo
- U.S. National Library of Medicine, NCBI Bookshelf (StatPearls) — Impetigo
Medically reviewed by Michael Bauerschmidt, MD — Founder and Medical Director, Deeper Healing Medical Wellness Center. Board-certified physician specializing in functional and environmental medicine.
Last reviewed: August 2026.
This page is offered to provide education and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Symptoms can have many possible causes, ranging from minor to serious, and what’s true for one person may not be true for another. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any health decisions. This content hasn’t been evaluated by the FDA and isn’t intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, contact your physician or local emergency services.
If you’d like personalized guidance from Deeper Healing, here is an invitation to learn more. And wherever you are on your journey, we encourage conscious, intentional choices that support your health and the planet’s. Every decision matters.
Impetigo is a contagious infection that requires medical care — always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your individual condition.
