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Diagnosis of Impetigo

 A diagnosis of impetigo is very straightforward and is based mainly on the clinical appearance of the skin lesion. A skin culture may be required to determine which bacteria are causing the infection so that the correct antibiotics are prescribed to treat the condition.

It is also important to note that not all blisters and lesions imply an impetigo infection. In many cases these lesions could be due to other skin conditions such as ringworm, scabies, herpes, poison ivy and various other skin allergies. It is best to consult with your doctor or health care provider if you or your child exhibits any of the symptoms to determine whether it is impetigo. On diagnosing the condition as impetigo, your doctor will then decide whether topical antibiotic creams or oral antibiotics would best suit your particular case.