Infintigo, Infantigo, Impetigo - READ THIS FIRST!

Lots of people find their way to this site to ask a question about 'infintigo'.

If you Google the term, this is one of the first sites you'll be directed to. (If you're reading this, that may well be how you got here!)

However, if you're a regular on the site, you may well be fed up with seeing the same question asked again and again - especially as infantigo appears to be a misheard (or Americanised) version of what we in Britain call impetigo!

For the benefit of anyone who wants to know about infantigo/infintigo/impetigo (and for the benefit of everyone who doesn't want to read about it in the questions!) we hope this answers your question:

Impetigo (the more common name for what some call infantigo) is quite easy to catch. It's generally caused by one of two bacteria: Group A streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus.

It needs a break in the skin for the bacteria to enter -- nappy rash is often enough to leave a toddler open to infection. Eczema, insect bites or skin allergy are other skin irritants that may leave a child open to infection.

Being contagious, impetigo can spread from one area of the body to another through touch - and the infection can spread to family and friends via clothing or towels that have come into contact with the infected person.

Symptoms: "A small patch of blisters that after a few hours breaks into a red, moist area that oozes or weeps fluid; appears mainly on the face, but also on exposed areas of the arms and legs".

Many people carry the bacteria without showing any symptoms. Antibiotics clear it up pretty quickly.