Impetigo is a skin infection caused by bacteria. Impetigo can look like crusted, scabbed areas of skin, especially with yellow honeycombed appearing scabs, or can be areas of large blisters that pop, leaving large round areas of red, raw skin which progressively increase in size and spread. Occasionally, impetigo can look like pus-filled pustules or blisters.
Contact with the sores or with the fluid draining from them can lead to the infection spreading to other sites and to other people. The initial treatment for impetigo is to keep the skin area clean and dry by soaking the area well with soap and water. Keep the infected area open to air; if necessary, cover it with a bandage to prevent scratching. A simple area of impetigo may be treated with an over the counter topical antibiotic, applying it 2 to 3 times a day.
If several areas are present or the area of infection is large, impetigo may be treated by an oral antibiotic that may be prescribed by your doctor after seeing your child. Please call the office to schedule an appointment. Any areas of skin infection with large areas of surrounding redness or accompanied by a fever of 101° or greater, should be seen by your doctor.