Honey-Crusted Sores? Why Your Skin Is Weeping and How to Heal Impetigo

If you or your child has developed red sores that ooze and form a yellow or "honey-colored" crust, you may be dealing with impetigo. This common skin infection can look alarming, but it is usually treatable and rarely dangerous when handled properly.

Understanding what impetigo is, why it happens, and how to treat it can help you heal faster and prevent it from spreading.

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What Is Impetigo?

Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection. It most often affects babies and young children, but adults can get it too.

It is caused by common bacteria:

• Staphylococcus aureus (staph)
• Streptococcus pyogenes (strep)

These bacteria enter through small breaks in the skin, such as:

• Scratches
• Insect bites
• Cuts
• Eczema patches
• Chapped skin

Once inside, the bacteria multiply and cause surface-level infection.

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What Does Impetigo Look Like?

Impetigo usually starts as small red spots or blisters. Over time, these change in appearance.

Common signs of impetigo include:

• Red sores around the nose and mouth (most common)
• Sores on the arms, legs, or diaper area
• Blisters that burst easily
• Oozing fluid ("weeping" skin)
• Thick, yellow or honey-colored crust
• Mild itching or discomfort

In most cases, impetigo is not painful. Fever is uncommon but can happen in more widespread cases.

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Why Is the Skin "Weeping"?

The "weeping" appearance happens because:

• The infection forms small blisters.
• These blisters rupture easily.
• Fluid leaks out.
• The fluid dries and forms the classic honey-colored crust.

This crust is a hallmark of non-bullous impetigo, the most common type.

There is also a less common form called bullous impetigo, which causes:

• Larger fluid-filled blisters
• Clear or yellow fluid inside
• Skin that may look raw after blisters break

Both types require treatment.

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How Contagious Is Impetigo?

Impetigo spreads easily through:

• Direct skin-to-skin contact
• Touching contaminated towels, clothing, or bedding
• Scratching infected areas and touching other parts of the body

Children in daycare or school settings are especially at risk.

The infection can spread quickly without treatment, both to other areas of the body and to other people.

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Who Is Most at Risk?

While anyone can get impetigo, certain factors increase the risk:

• Children ages 2–5
• Warm, humid weather
• Close-contact environments (schools, sports teams)
• Skin conditions like eczema
• Poor skin hygiene
• Minor skin injuries

Adults with weakened immune systems may also be more vulnerable.

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How Is Impetigo Diagnosed?

In most cases, a doctor can diagnose impetigo just by looking at it. The honey-colored crust is very distinctive.

Sometimes, a swab may be taken if:

• The infection is not improving
• It keeps coming back
• There are concerns about antibiotic resistance

If you're unsure whether your symptoms match this condition, you can use a free AI-powered Impetigo symptom checker to help identify what may be causing your skin issues and determine if you should seek medical care.

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How to Treat Impetigo

The good news: impetigo is highly treatable.

Treatment depends on how widespread the infection is.

1. Topical Antibiotics (Most Common)

For mild cases, doctors usually prescribe a prescription antibiotic ointment such as:

• Mupirocin
• Retapamulin

These are applied directly to the sores after gently washing the area.

Most people improve within:

• 3–5 days of treatment
• 7–10 days total healing time

2. Oral Antibiotics

If impetigo is:

• Widespread
• Severe
• Not improving with topical treatment

Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics.

It's important to:

• Take the full course
• Not stop early, even if it looks better

Stopping early can allow bacteria to return.

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How to Care for Impetigo at Home

Medical treatment works best when combined with good hygiene.

Steps you can take:

• Gently wash the area with mild soap and water.
• Soften crusts with warm water before cleaning.
• Keep fingernails trimmed to prevent scratching.
• Cover sores loosely if needed to prevent spreading.
• Wash hands frequently.

Prevent spreading by:

• Not sharing towels or clothing
• Washing bedding and clothes in hot water
• Keeping children home from school until 24 hours after starting antibiotics

These steps help protect others and speed healing.

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What Happens If Impetigo Is Not Treated?

In most healthy people, impetigo stays on the surface of the skin. However, without treatment, it can:

• Spread to larger areas
• Become deeper (ecthyma)
• Cause scarring (rare)
• Lead to cellulitis (a deeper skin infection)

Very rarely, certain strains of strep bacteria linked to impetigo can trigger kidney inflammation (post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis). This is uncommon but serious.

That's why prompt treatment matters.

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When Should You Speak to a Doctor?

You should speak to a doctor if:

• The rash is spreading quickly
• There is fever
• The area is painful or swollen
• The skin looks very red and warm
• Symptoms are not improving after a few days
• The infection keeps coming back
• The patient is a newborn

If you notice signs of a deeper infection — such as severe pain, swelling, red streaks, or high fever — seek urgent medical care.

Impetigo is usually mild, but untreated skin infections can sometimes become serious. It's always better to get medical advice if you're unsure.

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How Long Until It's No Longer Contagious?

With proper antibiotic treatment:

• Impetigo is usually no longer contagious after 24 hours.
• Without treatment, it can remain contagious for weeks.

This is why early treatment protects both you and others.

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Can Impetigo Be Prevented?

You can reduce your risk by:

• Washing hands regularly
• Cleaning and covering cuts promptly
• Avoiding scratching insect bites
• Managing eczema properly
• Not sharing personal items

Good skin care and hygiene go a long way.

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The Bottom Line on Impetigo

Impetigo is a common, contagious skin infection that causes red sores and honey-colored crusts. While it can look concerning, it is usually mild and responds well to antibiotics.

The key points to remember:

• It spreads easily.
• It is caused by common bacteria.
• Early treatment speeds healing.
• Hygiene helps prevent spread.
• Most cases resolve without long-term problems.

If you're experiencing symptoms like weeping sores with honey-colored crusts and want to understand whether it could be impetigo, try using a free Impetigo symptom checker to get personalized insights based on your specific symptoms.

Most importantly, speak to a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan — especially if symptoms are severe, spreading, or accompanied by fever. Skin infections are usually manageable, but in rare cases, they can become serious if ignored.

With timely care and proper hygiene, impetigo is very treatable — and your skin can heal completely.