Impetigo
Also known as: Impetigo, unspecified
General information only. Anpheros does not diagnose and does not recommend treatment. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your situation. In an emergency, call 112 (or your local emergency number).
In short
Impetigo is a skin infection caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria, and it is most common in children between two and six years of age. The infection usually begins when bacteria enter a break in the skin, such as a cut, scratch, or insect bite. Symptoms start with red or pimple-like sores, typically on the face, arms, and legs, which fill with pus, break open, and form a thick crust. The sores can spread through scratching or by contact with the sores or nasal discharge of an infected person, and the condition can be treated with antibiotics.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
AI-generated summary of the sources cited on this page, checked automatically against them. Not reviewed by a clinician; not medical advice.
Codes
Description
Impetigo is a skin infection caused by bacteria. It is usually caused by staphylococcal (staph) bacteria, but it can also be caused by streptococcal (strep) bacteria. It is most common in children between the ages of two and six. It usually starts when bacteria get into a break in the skin, such as a cut, scratch, or insect bite.
Symptoms start with red or pimple-like sores surrounded by red skin. These sores can be anywhere, but usually they occur on your face, arms and legs. The sores fill with pus, then break open after a few days and form a thick crust. They are often itchy, but scratching them can spread the sores.
Impetigo can spread by contact with sores or nasal discharge from an infected person. You can treat impetigo with antibiotics.
Next to it in ICD-10
- K87Gallbladder, bile duct and pancreas disorders in other diseases
- K90Intestinal malabsorption (including coeliac disease)
- L00Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
- L03Cellulitis
- L04Acute lymphadenitis
- L05Tailbone Disorders
Neighbouring codes in the classification, not a medical link.
External resources
Questions
What is the ICD-10 code for Impetigo?
L01 (WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision).
What is the ICD-11 code for Impetigo?
1B72.Z: Impetigo, unspecified (WHO, ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics).
Sources and attribution
- ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, © World Health Organization, licensed under CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO.
- Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Names other than the official source titles: Anpheros translations and plain-language names, made with AI assistance and checked automatically; the source names are in English.
- ICD-10 codes and titles © World Health Organization. Source: WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (2019).
Anpheros Search catalog 2026.10.5, published 17 October 2026. About the data →
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