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    Impetigo- Infected Sores

    Updated at March 24th, 2023

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    Definition

    • Coin-shaped sores on the skin
    • Covered by scabs or crusts that are the color of honey
    • Skin infection caused by a bacteria

    Health Information

    Symptoms

    • Sores smaller than 1 inch (2.5 cm)
    • Often covered by a soft, yellow-brown scab or crust
    • Scabs may drain pus or yellow fluid off and on
    • Starts as small red bumps. These change quickly to cloudy blisters or pimples. Then, they become open sores which drain fluid or pus.
    • Sores increase in size
    • Any sore or wound that grows and doesn’t heal is usually impetigo.

    Cause

    • A skin infection caused by a bacteria. It starts in a small break in the skin. Examples are a scratch or insect bite.
    • The most common bacteria are Staph and Strep.
    • Impetigo often spreads and increases in number from scratching.

    Prevention of Spread to Others

    • Impetigo is spread to others by skin to skin contact.
    • Wash the hands often. Try not to touch the sores.

    Care Advice

    1. Overview:
      • Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection. Most often, it starts in a scratch or insect bite.
      • It usually responds to treatment with any antibiotic ointment.
      • Sometimes an oral antibiotic is needed.
      • Here is some care advice that should help.
    2. Remove Scabs:
      • Soak off the scab using soap and warm water. The bacteria live underneath the scab.
    3. Antibiotic Ointment:
      • Put an antibiotic ointment on the sores. Do this 3 times per day.
      • Examples are Bacitracin or Polysporin. No prescription is needed. You also can use one you already have.
      • Cover it with a Band-Aid to prevent scratching and spread.
      • Repeat the washing, ointment and Band-Aid 3 times per day.
    4. Antibiotic by Mouth:
      • Some types of impetigo need a prescription antibiotic to clear it up.
      • The antibiotic will kill the bacteria that are causing the skin infection.
      • Give the antibiotic as directed.
      • Try not to forget any of the doses.
    5. Do Not Pick at the Sores:
      • Help your child not to scratch and pick at the sores. This spreads the impetigo.
    6. What to Expect:
      • Sore stops growing in 1 to 2 days.
      • The skin is healed in 1 week.
    7. Return to School:
      • Impetigo is spread to others by skin to skin contact.
      • Wash the hands often. Try not to touch the sores.
      • For mild impetigo (1 or 2 sores), can go to school if it is covered.
      • For severe impetigo, child needs to take an oral antibiotic for more than 24 hours. Then your child can go back to school.
      • Contact Sports. In general, needs to be on antibiotics for 3 days before returning to sports. There must be no pus or drainage. Check with the team’s trainer if there is one.

    Call Your Doctor If

    • Impetigo sore gets bigger after 48 hours on antibiotic ointment
    • Gets new impetigo sore on antibiotic ointment
    • Not healed up in 1 week
    • You think your child needs to be seen
    • Your child becomes worse


    Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP

    Copyright 2000-2020 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC