Impetigo is a contagious, superficial bacterial skin infection observed in children between the ages of 2–5 years, characterized by honey-crusted-like lesions. The worldwide prevalence of impetigo is over 140 million, with a stable disease burden. The highly communicable nature of impetigo can have a significant social impact, including school absenteeism.
Two recognized clinical patterns of impetigo: Nonbullous (70%) and Bullous (30%).
The primary causative agent for nonbullous impetigo is Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). However, Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) alone, or a combination of S. aureus and S. pyogenes, is also observed. Bullous impetigo is commonly observed in newborns and older infants, characterized by the rapid development of vesicles that progress to flaccid bullae. Children are affected by impetigo mainly because of close contact, such as daycare centers and schools. Paying attention to local antibiotic resistance patterns is crucial. Topical therapy has lesser side effects and is less likely to contribute to antibiotic resistance.