Impetigo is a very contagious skin rash that children get from direct contact. It can spread around a camp bunk quickly as my nephew will testify to. The bacteria can be either strep or staph infections and often antibiotics orally are used for treatment. If you have insect bites or cuts on your arms or legs this is a way often you may pick it up. It can also be picked up via towels and linen similar to scabies.

Both strep impetigo and staph impetigo have blisters,but staph impetigo
may not necessarily burst. They can be clear and may open due to abrasion. Kids like to scratch of course. The strep blisters usually burst and can then crust over.Soaking the skin in warm water can help with the crust softening. some have extreme itching with impetigo and others don’t find it too bothersome. A doctor will recommend an anti-itch lotion and some people need benadryl to sleep when it’s a severe case. The antibiotics may be topical but can be taken orally for cases that appear to difficult to control otherwise.

Be careful about touching the infected skin and then touching another part of your body as it can spread that way. Don’t share beach towels or other items with family members or friends. The contagious aspect should be gone after 2-3 days but it is good to be cautious. Also impetigo can start innocently as a small scratch. Some cases may occur on the upper lip and resemble a cold sore but herpes simplex 1 is a virus and not a bacterial infection.