Impetigo

Please click the frequently asked questions below for further information and IPC precautions required:

• What is Impetigo?

  Impetigo is a skin infection caused by one or both of the following bacteria: group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus.

• How does it spread?

  The bacteria can be spread easily through close contact with someone who has the infection, such as through direct physical contact, or by sharing towels or flannels.

  As the condition doesn’t cause any symptoms until 4 to 10 days after initial exposure to the bacteria, it’s often easily spread to others unintentionally.

  Children and people with diabetes or a weakened immune system – either due to a condition such as HIV or a treatment such as chemotherapy – are most at risk of developing impetigo.

• What are the symptoms?

  Impetigo starts with red sores or blisters, but the redness may be harder to see in brown and black skin.

  The sores or blisters quickly burst and leave crusty, golden-brown patches.

  The patches can:

  • look a bit like cornflakes stuck to your skin
  • get bigger
  • spread to other parts of your body
  • be itchy
  • sometimes be painful

  

• Why is this important?

  If NIAS staff are aware that the patient has a suspected or confirmed case this should be communicated to the Control Room (Emergency or Non-emergency as appropriate) and the staff in the receiving unit when transferring the patient to ensure effective patient care and management.

• IPC Precautions
  • Contact Precautions should be used.
  • Hand Hygiene should be completed as per the 5 moments in line with usual practice.
  • Eye protection should be risk assessed for any concern regarding a splash risk.
  • Gloves and Aprons should be worn.
  • The patient should ideally be transported via ambulance (eg. PCS) with no other patients present where possible. Individual cases can be discussed with the IPC team and a risk assessment can be made.
  • Laundry should be treated as contaminated, placed into an alginate bag and placed into a red laundry bag.
• What cleaning is required?

  All equipment and the ambulance should have an in-between patient clean, paying particular attention to touch points.

• Do staff need prophylaxis or follow up?

  No staff follow up required.

• Links to Guidance:

  Impetigo: guidance, data and analysis – GOV.UK