NHS Choices Condition
Content supplied by NHS Choices
Impetigo is caused by bacteria, specifically two types of bacteria known as staphylococcus aureus and staphylococcus pyogenes.
There are two ways an initial infection can occur:
- primary impetigo - is when the bacteria invades the skin through a cut, insect bite, or other injury, and
- secondary impetigo - is where the bacteria invades the skin because the skin barrier has been disrupted by another skin infection, such as scabies or eczema.
Once a person has become infected it is very easy for them to spread the infection to other people through close physical contact or through sharing towels or flannels.
Impetigo does not cause any symptoms until four to ten days after the initial exposure to the bacteria, so it is easy for people to spread the condition as they do not realise they are infected.
It is thought that the condition is more common in children because their immune system has not yet fully developed.
view information about Impetigo on www.nhs.co.uk »
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