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Impetigo: Sores on the Upper Lip
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Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection that is caused by strep or staph bacteria. The infection often begins when bacteria that normally can be present on the skin enter a small cut or scratch.
Symptoms of impetigo include honey-colored, crusty, oozing blisters or sores. These most often develop between the upper lip and nose. The blisters commonly occur after a cold. The sores can appear anywhere on the body. Scratching the blisters may spread impetigo to other parts of the body. Impetigo is more common in children than adults.
Impetigo is treated with antibiotics.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | John Pope, MD - Pediatrics |
| Last Revised | June 25, 2012 |
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: June 25, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics John Pope, MD - Pediatrics |
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