Medication
Impetigo is a skin infection that's very contagious but not usually serious. It often gets better in 7 to 10 days if you get treatment. Anyone can get it, but it's very common in young children. Impetigo starts with red sores or blisters, but the redness may be harder to see in brown and black skin.
What is impetigo, and how serious is it for kids?
Untreated, impetigo often clears up on its own after a few days or weeks, Smith says. The key is to keep the infected area clean with soap and water and not to scratch it. The downside of not treating impetigo is that some people might develop more lesions that spread to other areas of their body.
Will impetigo go away on its own?
Learn more about Impetigo
- IBM Watson Micromedex
- Symptoms and treatments
- Mayo Clinic Reference. For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
What antibiotic treats impetigo?
What is the first line treatment for impetigo? Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin (Bactroban) and fusidic acid (not available in the United States) are the preferred first - line therapy for impetigo involving limited body surface area.
What is the first line treatment for impetigo?
How long does it take for impetigo to go away with treatment?
Impetigo is a skin infection that's very contagious but not usually serious. It often gets better in 7 to 10 days if you get treatment. Anyone can get it, but it's very common in young children.
How long should you use antibiotic cream for impetigo?
Impetigo is treated with prescription mupirocin antibiotic ointment or cream applied directly to the sores two to three times a day for five to 10 days. Before applying the medicine, soak the area in warm water or apply a wet cloth compress for a few minutes.
How long is a child contagious with impetigo?
Treatment with antibiotics can limit the spread of impetigo to others. Keep children home from school or day care until they're no longer contagious — usually 24 hours after beginning antibiotic treatment.
When can a child return to school after impetigo?
The infection is caused by bacteria and is highly contagious. For that reason, children who have impetigo aren't allowed to return to school or daycare until they're no longer contagious – about 24 hours after the start of treatment with antibiotics.
How do you know if impetigo is healing?
Impetigo starts as a red, itchy sore. As it heals, a crusty, yellow or “honey-colored” scab forms over the sore.
Does impetigo heal better covered or uncovered?
To Prevent the Spread of Impetigo Impetigo heals faster if left uncovered. But, if your child picks at the sores, keep them covered. Open, draining sores should be covered with a loose bandage. Keep your child out of school until he has been using the antibiotic ointment or taking the antibiotic by mouth for 24 hours.
Should a child go to school with impetigo?
Stay away from work, school, nursery or playgroup until the sores have dried up, blistered or crusted over, or until 48 hours after starting treatment. Don't share flannels, sheets or towels with anyone who has impetigo, and wash them at a high temperature after use.
What are the stages of impetigo?
It goes through the following stages:It usually starts with reddish, itchy sores around the mouth and nose.The sores break open, leaving red and irritated skin around them.A brownish-yellow crust forms.When the crusts heal, there are reddish spots that fade and don't leave scars.
Why does my son keep getting impetigo?
What Causes Impetigo? Kids can be more likely to develop impetigo when their skin is already irritated by another problem, such as eczema, poison ivy, insect bites, and cuts or scrapes. Scratching a sore or a rash is a common cause — for example, poison ivy can get infected and turn into impetigo.
Should a child stay home with impetigo?
Children with impetigo must stay home from child care or school for at least 24 hours. They may return after antibiotic treatment has begun and there is no more discharge from the sores. that may be soiled with body fluids is also important.
Should a child go to daycare with impetigo?
As the disease develops, loose crusts on the skin can be soaked for 15 to 20 minutes with a warm wet facecloth, then gently washed off with soap and water and then patted dry. NOTE: After your child begins taking any medicine, they should wait at least 24 hours before going back to school or daycare.
How do you clean your house after impetigo?
Wash all clothing, towels, washcloths, and sheets that you (or your child) has worn or used since getting infected. Disinfect counters, doorknobs, and other surfaces that the person with impetigo has touched.
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