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Infected Sores (Impetigo)

Description / 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)
  • Impetigo often spreads and increases in number from scratching

Cause

Superficial bacterial infections of small breaks in the skin.

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one)

When to Call Your Doctor for Infected Sores (Impetigo)

Call Your Doctor Now 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

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours If:

  • You think your child needs to be seen
  • Fever or sore throat are present
  • Large sore (> 1 inch across or 2.5 cm)

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Hours If:

  • You have other questions or concerns
  • Sores and crusts are also inside the nose
  • Impetigo in 2 or more children (e.g. sibs, child care groups)
  • 3 or more impetigo sores (Reason: need an oral antibiotic because many of these children also have strep throat infection)

Home Care (Read "Call Your Doctor…" first):

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:

  • Use Bacitracin or Polysporin ointment 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

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

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
  • Not completely healed in 1 week
  • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor…" symptoms

Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright 2000-2006.