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Impetigo Skin Rash
If you have red, flat spots or pimple-like bumps surrounded by red skin, you may have a skin rash called impetigo. This condition is a type of bacterial infection and most commonly affects children between the ages of two and five.
Impetigo is a contagious rash and can be spread from one person to another, or from one part of the body to another. Skin-to-skin contact is the most common method of transmission.
This skin condition may appear as a single sore in the beginning. However, it more commonly consists of multiple sores. After a couple of days, the sores form blisters and fill with pus. They then burst and form a weepy, thick, yellow, gold, or brown crust. On occasion, the blisters may leave a crater in the skin.
Impetigo is frequently found on the arms, legs, or face. It is treated with antibiotics, either applied directly to the skin (topical) or taken by mouth (oral).
(Click Impetigo for more information on this skin rash. This article also describes the causes of this condition, lists possible signs to watch out for, and discusses possible treatment options.)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD