Impetigo - Infected Sores

When To Call

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)

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For more information, click here.

Care Advice

Home Care Advice for Mild Impetigo

1. 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.
2. Remove Scabs: Soak off the scab using an antibacterial soap and warm water. The bacteria live underneath the scab.
3. 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.
4. Avoid Picking: Discourage scratching and picking which spreads the impetigo.
5. 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.
6. Expected Course: Sore stops growing in 1 to 2 days and skin is healed in 1 week.
7. 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

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms. 

To find a pediatrician, click here.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For more information, click here.  

Photos

Impetigo of Elbow

The photo shows an abrasion of elbow that has become infected with bacteria.

Source: Wikimedia Commons
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.

This is a public domain image file from Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia is a freely licensed media repository.

Impetigo of Left Cheek

This photograph shows the typical appearance of impetigo. Impetigo is Often covered by a soft, yellow-brown scab or crust.

Source: Barton Schmitt
Copyright Barton Schmitt MD, Self Care Decisions LLC. Used by Permission.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For more information, click here.