If you have a cut or scrape or if you scratch your skin because of a bug bite, eczema , or poison ivy , germs may find a way to get inside. Once inside, the bacteria cause small blisters on the skin. These blisters burst and ooze fluid that crusts over, a condition called impetigo. We all have bacteria living on our skin and in our nose, but most of the time they don't cause any trouble. It doesn't matter which bacteria cause someone's impetigo — the treatment is almost the same.
Impetigo usually starts as small blisters that burst and ooze fluid that crusts over. The crust is yellow-brown, or honey-colored, making impetigo look different from other scabs. Another kind of impetigo affects babies and younger kids more than older kids.
In this type, the blisters are larger and take longer to burst. The fluid in these blisters may start out clear and then turn cloudy. If you and your parents think you have impetigo, you should see a doctor. A doctor usually can tell if you have impetigo by examining your skin. Not healed up after 1 week on antibiotic ointment. Parent Care at Home If Mild impetigo 1 or 2 sores that started with a scratch or insect bite.
Most often, it starts in a scratch or insect bite. It usually responds to treatment with any antibiotic ointment. Here is some care advice that should help. Remove Scabs: Soak off the scab using soap and warm water.
The bacteria live underneath the scab. 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. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic medicine in the form of a cream, ointment, tablets or syrup.
Give these to your child as directed, and make sure you complete the course of antibiotics. If your child gets impetigo repeatedly your doctor may do a nose swab to test for bacteria in the nose. Your child may need antibiotics, which are delivered into the nose, to prevent further instances of impetigo.
The following strategies may help reduce the chances of your child catching impetigo from another child, or reduce spread of impetigo if your child has it. If your child does not scratch and cause bleeding, almost all impetigo lesions will heal without leaving any scarring. As impetigo is very infectious, it is important to keep your child home until 24 hours after you start medical treatment. When your child returns to child care, make sure you completely cover with dressings any sores that other children might come into contact with.
We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers. To donate, visit www. This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts.
Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Impetigo school sores. Impetigo school sores Impetigo im-pet-eye-go is an infection of the skin caused by bacteria.
Signs and symptoms of impetigo The sores can be anywhere on the body, but are often on the face near the mouth and nose, or on the arms and legs. In addition to impetigo, group A strep cause many other types of infections. When group A strep infects the skin, it causes sores. The bacteria can spread to others if someone touches those sores or comes into contact with fluid from the sores. Impetigo starts as a red, itchy sore. In general, impetigo is a mild infection that can occur anywhere on the body.
It most often affects exposed skin, such as around the nose and mouth or on the arms or legs. Symptoms include red, itchy sores that break open and leak a clear fluid or pus for a few days. Doctors typically diagnose impetigo by looking at the sores physical examination.
Lab tests are not needed. Impetigo is treated with antibiotics that are either rubbed onto the sores topical antibiotics or taken by mouth oral antibiotics. A doctor might recommend a topical ointment, such as mupirocin or retapamulin, for only a few sores. Oral antibiotics can be used when there are more sores. Very rarely, kidney problems post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis can be a complication of impetigo. If someone has this complication, it usually starts one to two weeks after the skin sores go away.
Learn about post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
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