Impetigo is highly contagious. Whenever one person has impetigo, precautions must be taken to prevent it from spreading to others. Because bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, most cases occur during the hot, humid summer months. That is also the time when children are outdoors playing in shorts and short-sleeved shirts, so they are more likely to have small skin injuries that provide an opening for the bacteria. Poor nutrition, poor personal hygiene, unsanitary living conditions, or an illness that has lowered an individual s resistance are also risk factors for developing impetigo.
Bacteria live on the surface of the skin.
If a skin injury is not kept clean, it is an invitation for those bacteria to invade the body and cause infection. Good personal hygiene helps to keep the bacteria in check, both as a preventive measure, and as part of the treatment schedule if one does develop impetigo. Although many cases of impetigo do arise spontaneously because the bacterial agents exist already on the skin and in the environment, most cases are probably contracted by coming into direct contact with discharge from an impetigo lesion. This can occur either by touching the lesion or, less commonly, by coming into contact with such articles as clothing, towels, or bedding that have been contaminated by discharge. To prevent the patient from spreading impetigo to other parts of his body, he should avoid scratching or touching the lesion.