Impetigo is one of the common bacterial infections of the skin that can affect children, especially in the preschool age group. One of the common bacteria involved in this condition is Staphylococcus aureus. Red sores develop, and honey-yellow crusting appear after the sores burst. Occasionally, blisters are also seen.
This infection is most commonly spread through direct contact of broken skin, with discharge from the lesions on another person with impetigo. It may also be spread by contact with toys, towels and surfaces that are contaminated with the discharge from the lesions.
Children with areas of broken skin barrier, such as in eczema, may be at higher risk of catching this infection.
Signs & Symptoms
Rashes seen in impetigo may appear as any of the following:
Red coloured bumps on the skin.
Fluid-filled sores (blisters) which may burst and become crusted over with honey yellow substance. The blisters are usually small, about 1-2 cm in size, but may occasionally be larger as well.
The rashes typically appear on the face, around the mouth and nose, and on the arms and legs. They are often itchy.
Fever is not usually seen in mild cases, but may be present in more severe and widespread cases.
Treatment and Management Options
If such lesions are seen on your child, please bring your child to see a doctor.
The doctor will decide on the treatment required.
Antibiotics are required for impetigo. For mild cases of impetigo with only a few lesions, a topical of antibiotic ointment will be sufficient. If there is a lot of crusting, you may gently soak the sores in warm, soapy water to soften the crust before washing them. This allows the antibiotic ointment to reach the skin. In cases when the lesions are more widespread, oral antibiotics will be prescribed.
Most children can usually be given the above medications at home after consulting the doctor. Hospital admission is not commonly required, unless the child is also not feeding well at the same time.
Ensure that towels are not shared at home while your child is recovering and keep the skin clean with regular bathing using antibacterial soap. Proper hand hygiene will go a long way to prevent the spread of the infection in the household.
Your child is expected to recover within 10 days of the infection. They are usually not infectious after 48 hours of starting treatment.
Summary
Impetigo is a common childhood infection of the skin caused by bacteria in infected sores spreading via contact with the broken skin of a child. Antibiotics, either topical or oral, depending on the severity of the infection, will be required. Equally important is maintaining skin hygiene for the infected child and reducing the risk of household spread with sanitisation and avoiding sharing towels. It is highly infectious but also equally treatable and preventable.
