$Unique_ID{PAR00107}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Impetigo}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Impetigo Broken Blisters yellow pus weeping sores crust antibiotic
ointment scratch scratches scrape scrapes contagious skin infection crusts
staphylococcus streptococcus bacteria bacterium bacterial infections insect
bite bites glomerulonephritis kidney kidneys Streptococcal staphylococcal
antibiotics ointments penicillin}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Impetigo


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOMS
     - Blisters containing thin, yellow pus
     - Broken blisters that develop into open, weeping sores
     - Pus that dries to the consistency of hardened honey

     HOME CARE
     - A mild case of impetigo can be treated by scrubbing the crusts of the
       sores with soap and water, and then applying a nonprescription
       antibiotic ointment at intervals.
     - Cover the affected area with gauze.  This will help keep the child from
       scratching and spreading the condition.

     PRECAUTIONS
     - Impetigo is highly contagious.
     - Minor scratches and scrapes on the skin may invite impetigo.  To avoid
       infection, clean such minor wounds with soap and water and cover them
       with a sterile bandage.
     - Keep an infected child's clothes and linens separate from those used by
       other family members to help prevent the disease from spreading.
       Launder the child's clothes frequently.
     - If home treatment for impetigo is effective, continue it until all the
       sores have completely healed.  It can take a long time to eliminate the
       condition.
     - See the doctor if home treatment is not effective.


     Impetigo is a highly contagious infection of the outer layers of the
skin.  It is caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria.  The germs
are transmitted by direct contact when the child touches either an infected
person or something that person has been using--for example, clothing, towels,
or toys.  The condition appears two to five days after the child has been
exposed to the germs.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     Impetigo typically appears as fragile blisters containing thin, yellow
pus.  The initial sore often occurs at a point where the skin has been injured
or irritated by an insect bite, a scrape, or a skin condition.  If the child
picks at the nose, the blister may appear in that area.  The blister breaks
easily, leaving an open, weeping sore that increases in size.  The discharge
hardens into a yellow crust or scab that looks like hardened honey.  Impetigo
spreads rapidly, and the child can aggravate this by scratching a sore and
transferring the discharge on his hands to other parts of the body.
     The infecting bacteria can be identified only through laboratory tests.
If the culprit is the streptococcus bacterium, the doctor will watch for the
possible development of a kidney condition known as glomerulonephritis.

HOME CARE

     If only a few small areas are involved, scrub the crusts of the sores
with soap and water.  (Streptococcal and staphylococcal infections thrive
under the crusts.)  Apply a nonprescription antibiotic ointment several times
a day.  Cover the sores with gauze to keep the ointment in place and to
discourage the child from scratching and spreading the disease.

PRECAUTIONS

  -  To prevent impetigo, wash minor scratches and scrapes with soap and water
     and cover with a sterile bandage.
  -  Impetigo is highly contagious.  If your child has impetigo, watch the
     rest of the family carefully for signs of the disease and treat cases
     promptly if they occur.
  -  Keep the washcloth, towel, and clothing used by the child separate from
     items used by other family members.  This will reduce the chance that the
     disease will spread.
  -  Launder the infected child's clothing and linens frequently.  Ordinary
     laundering sterilizes adequately.
  -  If home treatment for impetigo is effective, do not discontinue the
     treatment until the sores have completely healed and the skin is smooth.
     It can take a long time to clear the condition completely.
  -  If home treatment does not seem to be working within four or five days or
     if the sores continue to spread or multiply, see your doctor.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     The doctor may culture the sores to identify the causative organism.  If
streptococcal infection is present, a ten- to 14-day course of penicillin may
be prescribed.  If staphylococcal infection is found, further tests may be
required to determine the most effective antibiotic medication.

RELATED TOPICS:  Eczema; Insect bites and stings; Nephritis; Pityriasis rosea;
Poison ivy; Rashes; Scrapes