NHS Choices Condition
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Complications of impetigo are rare but they can occasionally be serious. So you should stay alert for any changes or worsening in symptoms and report them to your GP.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis occurs when the infection spreads to a deeper layer of skin. Cellulitis can cause symptoms of red inflamed skin, fever and pain. The condition can be treated with antibiotics, and paracetamol can be used to relieve symptoms of pain.
Guttate psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis is a non-infectious skin condition that can develop in children and teenagers after a bacterial infection. It is normally more common after a throat infection, but some cases have been linked to impetigo. It causes small (less than 1 cm/one third of an inch) droplet-shaped sores on the chest, arms, legs and scalp.
Creams can be used to help control the symptoms of guttate psoriasis.
Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is a rare bacterial infection that causes a fine pink rash across the body. Associated symptoms of infection such as nausea, pain, and vomiting are common. The condition is usually treated using antibiotics.
Scarlet fever is not normally serious, but it is contagious, so it is important to isolate an infected child and avoid close physical contact. You should keep your child away from school and other people until they have had at least five days treatment with antibiotics.
Septicaemia
Septicaemia is a bacterial infection of the blood. It can cause symptoms of fever, rapid breathing and vomiting. Also the person may feel confused, faint and dizzy. Septicaemia is potentially life-threatening and requires immediate admission to hospital for treatment with antibiotics.
Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis is a very rare complication of impetigo. It is an infection of small blood vessels in the kidneys.
Symptoms of the condition include a change in the colour of urine to a reddish-brown, or cola, colour. Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis also causes a rise in blood pressure.
Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis can be fatal in adults, but deaths in children are very rare. In fact, less than 1% of children who develop post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis die as a result of the condition.
People with post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis will normally require hospital treatment so that their blood pressure can be monitored and controlled.
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