Impetigo

[Rmaki]

My daughter had impetigo several weeks back. She was treated with a cream and oral antibiotics. The area has healed. However, she has and pigmented discolored area exactly the same size as where her impetigo spot was. Will this go away? How long will it take? Is this normal and is there anything we can do to help this area return to its natural skin color.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The lesion that you have described sounds like a scar with post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Without treatment, this usually takes about 6 months to resolve and for the skin color to go back to its normal color.  Topical treatments with acids and chemical peels can be effective but can take a while for the skin to totally revert to its normal color.  Microdermabrasion can also be done, but this might require several sessions.  Skin resurfacing using lasers is also an option.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Caryopteris]

This scar will fade in time but needs to be protected from sunlight for the next year.  A scar is like baby skin and tanning the area will damage it more than usual. Makeup can be used if it shows too much.