Complications

Complications of impetigo are rare, but they can sometimes occur and can be serious. Tell your pharmacist if you have impetigo and your symptoms change or get worse.

Some complications associated with impetigo include:

• cellulitis – an infection of the deeper layers of the skin and underlying tissue
• scarlet fever – a rare bacterial infection that causes a fine, pink rash across the body
• guttate psoriasis – a non-infectious skin condition that can develop in children and teenagers after a bacterial infection
• septicaemia (a type of sepsis) – a bacterial infection of the blood
• Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) – a serious skin condition that looks like the skin has been scalded with boiling water
• post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis – an infection of the small blood vessels in the kidneys

In very rare cases, impetigo may lead to some scarring, particularly if you scratch at the blisters, crusts or sores