impetigo

American  

[im-pi-tahy-goh] / ˌɪm pɪˈtaɪ goʊ /

noun

Pathology.

1. a contagious skin disease, especially of children, usually caused by streptococcal bacteria, marked by a superficial pustular eruption, particularly on the face.

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impetigo British  

/ ˌɪmpɪˈtɪdʒɪnəs, ˌɪmpɪˈtaɪɡəʊ /

noun

1. a contagious bacterial skin disease characterized by the formation of pustules that develop into yellowish crusty sores

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impetigo Scientific  

/ ĭm′pĭ-tī′gō /

1. A contagious skin infection caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria and seen most commonly in children. Impetigo is characterized by superficial pustules that rupture and form thick yellow crusts, usually on the face.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• impetiginous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of impetigo

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin impetīgō, equivalent to impet ( ere ) to make for, attack ( see impetus) + -īgō, as in vertīgō vertigo

Compare meaning

How does impetigo compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• impetigo vs. ringworm

Example Sentences

It’s a health issue, with higher rates of respiratory illnesses and skin infections like impetigo and boils where plumbing doesn’t exist.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 8, 2023

Group A strep bacteria can cause many different infections, including the skin infection impetigo which causes sores, scarlet fever and strep throat.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2022

The bacteria doesn’t always cause illness, but it can cause tonsillitis, sore throat, skin rashes, scarlet fever and impetigo.

From New York Times • Dec. 6, 2022

She would have continued had it not been for her son’s rashes, later diagnosed as impetigo, which she believes came from bacteria on the roof’s shingles.

From The Guardian • Oct. 4, 2018

Dried effete masses of exudation; as, for example, the crusts of impetigo, of eczema, and of the pustular and ulcerating syphilodermata.

From Essentials of Diseases of the Skin Including the Syphilodermata Arranged in the Form of Questions and Answers Prepared Especially for Students of Medicine by Stelwagon, Henry Weightman