IMPETIGO

What is impetigo?
Impetigo is a skin infection caused by bacteria notably Streptococci and staphylococci. It is most common in children and is contagious (can spread to others). Impetigo forms round, crusted, oozing spots that grow larger day by day. The hands and face are the favourite locations for impetigo, but it often appears on other parts of the body.

What causes it?
While the bacteria causing impetigo may have been clearly caught from someone else with impetigo or boils, it often begins without any apparent source of infection.

What is the Treatment?
Impetigo should be treated by a doctor.
Prescription medication taken by mouth usually clears up impetigo in four or five days. If antibiotics are used it's important for the antibiotic to be taken faithfully until the prescribed supply is completely used up. Topical creams may also be prescribed. But before you apply ointments or creams, you should gently try to remove the crusts. Soak a soft, clean cloth in a mixture of one-half cup of white vinegar and a quart of lukewarm water. Press this cloth on the crusts for 10-15 minutes three or four times daily. Then gently wipe off the crusts and apply a little ointment. You can stop soaking the impetigo when crusts no longer form. When the skin is healed, stop the ointment.
As mentioned impetigo is contagious, but not enough that your child needs to isolated. It is easier to call it a "skin infection" rather than impetigo. Sometimes impetigo in a child is due to infected eczema. The skin barrier breaks down due to an allergy and the bacteria colonise the wound. If impetigo comes again and again, contact your doctor for advice.

What precautions should I take?

Impetigo is contagious when the wound is open or it is oozing. During this time, take the following precautions:

• Avoid close contact with other people.
• Keep children at home from school until crusts cover the wound or the wound is fully healed.
• Use separate towels for the child. Change the child's towels, pillowcases, and sheets after the first day of treatment, and wash his or her clothing daily for the first two days.
• Usually the contagious period ends within two days after treatment starts. If the impetigo doesn't heal in one week, return to your GP for another evaluation.

Always consult with your GP