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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Impetigo physical examination

Introduction

Overview

Overview

The diagnosis of impetigo is primarily clinical. A thorough physical examination plays an important role in the diagnosis of impetigo along with a detailed history taking.Bullae, papules, pustules or ulcers may be visible depicting various types of impetigo.[1][2]

Physical Examination

Physical Examination

The follwoing findings on physical examination may suggest impetigo:[1][3]

  • Bullous impetigo
    • Fluid filled bullae
    • Lesions are flaccid and present as a rim of thin brown crust after rupture
    • Bullous impetigo can usualy be seen on the trunk
  • Non-bullous impetigo
    • Papules
    • Pustules
    • Vesicles
    • Non-bullous impetigo is usually seen on the extremities and face
    • Complete brown crust may be seen after rupture
  • Ecthyma
    • Ulcers are punched-out with raised borders
    • Brown crust can be seen on the ulcer

General Appearance

  • Patients with impetigo are usually not in distress
  • Patients may appear fatigued

Vital Signs

The following vital signs may be noticed in impetigo:

Abdomen

Trunk and Extremities

Genitourinary

The following findings may be found on genitourinary examination of a patient with impetigo:

Cardiovascular

Neurological

There are usually no neurological findings in a patient with impetigo.

Gallery

Given below are some exmples of impetigo on various skin locations.

Skin

Face
Trunk
Extremity
Ear
Genitalia
References

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Duggal SD, Bharara T, Jena PP, Kumar A, Sharma A, Gur R; et al. (2016). “Staphylococcal bullous impetigo in a neonate”. World J Clin Cases. 4 (7): 191–4. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v4.i7.191. PMC 4945591. PMID 27458596.
  2. ↑ Cole C, Gazewood J (2007). “Diagnosis and treatment of impetigo”. Am Fam Physician. 75 (6): 859–64. PMID 17390597.
  3. ↑ Adams BB (2002). “Dermatologic disorders of the athlete”. Sports Med. 32 (5): 309–21. PMID 11929358.
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.29 4.30 4.31 4.32 4.33 4.34 4.35 4.36 4.37 4.38 4.39 4.40 4.41 4.42 4.43 4.44 4.45 4.46 4.47 4.48 4.49 4.50 4.51 4.52 4.53 4.54 4.55 4.56 4.57 4.58 4.59 4.60 4.61 4.62 4.63 4.64 4.65 4.66 4.67 4.68 4.69 4.70 4.71 4.72 4.73 4.74 4.75 4.76 4.77 “Dermatology Atlas”.
  5. ↑ “Public Health Image Library (PHIL)”.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kiran Singh, M.D. [2], Usama Talib, BSc, MD [3]