Health Tip: Understanding Impetigo

(HealthDay News) -- Impetigo is a common bacterial infection of the skin. The contagious infection could be triggered by an illness or injury, or the bite of an animal, insect or another person.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says impetigo could lead to these potential complications:

• Infection that spreads beyond the skin to other areas of the body.
• Patches of impetigo all over the body, a complication that typically affects children.
• Rarely, permanent scars and skin damage.
• Also rarely, kidney failure.

Mild infections typically are treated with a prescribed antibacterial cream, while a more serious case of impetigo might require an antibiotic.