What Is a Yellow Crusty Sore on My Face? Common Causes
What is a yellow crusty sore on my face?
The Quick Answer
Most commonly **impetigo**—a highly contagious bacterial infection causing reddish sores that burst and form honey-colored crusts, especially around nose/mouth. Other causes: staph infection, cold sores (herpes), or eczema with secondary infection. Facial location requires prompt evaluation due to proximity to eyes and scarring risks.
Why We Ask This
Patients mistake contagious impetigo for 'dried mucus' or minor irritation, inadvertently spreading infection to family members through touch before seeking care—especially problematic in childcare settings.
The Practical Science
Impetigo typically begins as small vesicles that rupture within 24–48 hours, forming characteristic amber crusts from dried serum and bacteria. *Streptococcus pyogenes* causes non-bullous impetigo (70% of cases); *Staphylococcus aureus* causes bullous variants.
In Clinical Practice
A child with honey-crusted sores at nostril edges and classroom exposure would receive topical mupirocin twice daily for 5 days plus strict hand hygiene—preventing classroom outbreaks when treated early versus systemic antibiotics needed for widespread cases.
References & Context
Impetigo - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic"Impetigo (im-puh-TIE-go) is a common and highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects infants and young children. It usually appears as reddish sores on the face, especially around the nose and mouth and on the hands and feet. Over about a week, the sores burst and develop honey-colored crusts."