Impetigo is a skin infection that primarily affects infants, school age children and sometimes, adults. It is caused when a break in the superficial layers of the skin such as a cut, open blister can appear anywhere on the body, but usually form on the face around the mouth and nose. It is very contagious and is spread by scratching infected blisters or touching contaminated linens, clothing, or towels. Outbreaks of impetigo are commonly seen during the humid summer months. Other risk factors include crowded, unsanitary living conditions; poor nutrition; skin conditions such as eczema, poison ivy, and skin allergies; immunocompromised individuals (cancer or AIDS); and poor hygiene habits.

Symptoms may include:
Streptococcal infection:

• Begins with small blisters that eventually burst and leak fluid
• Red rash with honey-colored crusting and soars with scabs
• Itching and skin inflammation (swelling, tenderness, warmth)

Staphylococcal infection:

• Large fluid-filled blisters
• Itching and skin inflammation
• Both conditions sometimes produce a mild fever

What your doctor can do:

• Diagnose the disease by asking about symptoms, perform a physical exam, and order a laboratory culture of the fluid to identify the organism responsible
• Prescribe antibiotics (either oral, topical ointment or an injection) to fight the infection

What you can do:

• Give all of the antibiotics, even if the your child starts to feel better. Apply ointment as directed.
• Wash infected area with antiseptic soap and water. Remove crusting and pustules by soaking in warm water and lightly scrubbing off with a clean, gauze pad. Pat area dry gently. Cover soars with gauze dressings. Keep area dry and clean.
• Wash your hands often with anti-bacterial soap, especially after touching soars.
• Keep fingernails short and place cotton socks on infant hands to prevent scratching
• Wash contaminated towels, clothing and linens in water 120 F or hotter to kill bacteria.
• Switch to disposable paper towels in the bathrooms and kitchen during outbreaks.
• Keep patient's linens and clothing separate from other family members.
• Avoid swimming pools or hot tubs during outbreak

What you can expect:

• With antibiotic treatment, most children recover within 7 to 10 days
• Children without a fever generally return to school after one day of treatment
• Some complications may include cellulitis (infection of the deeper layers of the skin) and acute kidney infections (rare).

Contact your doctor if you or your child develops signs and symptoms of impetigo; if the infection becomes worse despite beginning antibiotic treatment (non-healing sores; sores still spreading after 3 days); or if you or  your child develops a fever.

Contact Lake Area Pediatrics at
(936) 582-5620