Is petroleum jelly a good cover up for impetigo?

i have impetigo
or my mom says i have it
i have white stuff around my mouth and some itty bitty cuts
is that impetigo?
and how can i cure it without going to the doctor and store?

i really need an answer please?

What is impetigo?

Impetigo (pronounced im-puh-TIE-go) is a common infection of the surface of the skin. Impetigo is usually caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus ("staph") or Streptococcus ("strep"). Because this condition is more common in children, some people mistakenly call it "infantigo."

Is impetigo contagious?

Yes, it is highly contagious. Children in close physical contact with each other tend to spread the condition although adult skin is more resistant. Trauma to the skin, such as a cut or scrape, seems to play a role in allowing bacteria that have been living harmlessly on the skin to establish a foothold and cause infection. Clothing and towels seem to be less important factors in causing the spread of this condition.

What does impetigo look like?

Impetigo has two general forms: ordinary impetigo and bullous impetigo.
Ordinary impetigo is scabby and pustular (little pimples full of pus) in appearance and is generally caused by strep germs. It starts as a small blister or pustule that ruptures and leaves a reddish base which is then covered by a honey-colored crust. In children, this condition often begins on the skin near the nose, though it may spread. Ordinary impetigo is also known as impetigo vulgaris and streptococcal impetigo.

Bullous impetigo produces large, fragile blisters and is caused mostly by staph germs. It also often affects the face, but may appear elsewhere. The blisters it forms have very thin walls that collapse, leaving a bright red, inflamed, moist base. Bullous impetigo is also known as impetigo bullosa and staphylococcal impetigo.

How is impetigo diagnosed?

It is important to remember that not every oozing, crusty rash is necessarily infected. Especially in adults, this crusty rash may represent nothing more than the habit of picking at an otherwise innocuous pimple or bump.

How is impetigo treated?

Oral antibiotics that are given for 7 to 10 days will generally clear up impetigo. These antibiotics include derivatives of penicillin, erythromycin, and cephalexin.

A prescription strength topical antibiotic, such as mupirocin (Bactroban), is also very safe and effective. Its use often makes oral treatment unnecessary.

Over-the-counter topical antibiotics like bacitracin or Neosporin (which contains bacitracin) do not seem to be much more effective than applying petroleum jelly or nothing at all. When they do seem to work, it is often because the condition was not infected to begin with.

Conclusion

Regardless of how ugly impetigo may look, it only affects the top layer of the skin and therefore it does not leave permanent scars.

Don't use petroleum jelly. If it is impetigo that will make it worse. You can try washing it with an abrasive soap,then apply calamine lotion,but your face is really going to look bad. I think going to a doctor is the best thing to do.