Impetigo - Infected Sores

911 warning

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Does this describe your child's symptoms?

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Symptoms

Sores smaller than 1 inch in diameter
Often covered by a soft, yellow-brown scab or crust
Scabs may intermittently drain pus
Begin as small red bumps which rapidly change to cloudy blisters, then pimples, and finally open sores which weep
Increases in size (any sore or wound that grows and doesn't heal is usually impetigo)
Impetigo often spreads and increases in number from scratching

Cause

Return to School

For mild impetigo (1 or 2 sores), child can attend school or child care if it is covered
For severe impetigo, child needs to take an oral antibiotic for more than 24 hours before returning to school or contact sports

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	Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
	Your child looks or acts very sick Red or cola-colored urine Red streak runs from the impetigo Red tender area surrounds the impetigo You think your child needs to be seen urgently
	Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If
	You think your child needs to be seen, but not urgently Fever or sore throat are present Large sore (larger than 1 inch across or 2.5 cm) Sores and crusts are also inside the nose Impetigo becomes worse after 48 hours on antibiotic ointment
	Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
	You have other questions or concerns Impetigo in 2 or more children (e.g., sibs, childcare groups) Child plays contact sports (Reason: to prevent spread) 3 or more impetigo sores (Reason: may need an oral antibiotic because many of these children also have strep throat infection) Not completely healed after 1 week on antibiotic ointment
	Parent Care at Home If
	1 or 2 impetigo sores that started with cut, scratch or insect bite and you don't think your child needs to be seen (Reason: probably will respond to antibiotic ointment)

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Reassurance:
- Impetigo is a superficial skin infection that usually starts in a scratch or insect bite.
- It usually responds to treatment with any antibiotic ointment.
Remove Scabs: Soak off the scab using an antibacterial soap and warm water. The bacteria live underneath the scab.
Antibiotic Ointment: Apply an antibiotic ointment 3 times per day (no prescription needed).
- Examples are Bacitracin or Polysporin or 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.
Avoid Picking: Discourage scratching and picking which spreads the impetigo.
Contagiousness:
- Impetigo is contagious by skin to skin contact.
- Wash the hands frequently and avoid touching the sore.
- For mild impetigo (1 or 2 sores), can attend school or child care if it is covered.
- For severe impetigo, child needs to take an oral antibiotic for more than 24 hours before returning to school.
- Contact Sports: Generally, needs to receive antibiotic treatment for 3 days before returning to the sport. There can be no pus or drainage. Check with team's trainer if there is one.
Expected Course: Sore stops growing in 1 to 2 days and skin is healed in 1 week.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Impetigo increases in size after 48 hours on antibiotic ointment
- New impetigo sore occurs on antibiotic ointment
- Not completely healed in 1 week
- Your child becomes worse

Updated:

March 22, 2017