Conditions
Impetigo
Impetigo is an infectious, potentially painful skin infection and though anyone can get it, it particularly affects kids between the ages of two and four. It’s caused by bacteria which thrive in a dirty environment. Kids who already have a skin condition, such as eczema or nappy rash, are more prone than others. It’s a fairly common condition – one in 35 kids under four suffers a bout of impetigo – and though it looks nasty, it’s easily treated and has no lasting effects.
There are two types of impetigo. The commonest is called non-bullous impetigo and causes small, sore, red spots to appear, often round the nose or mouth. Sometimes glands near the infected area also swell up. These red pustules grow larger and then burst, leaking a yellowish liquid until a crusty scab forms over the skin. Bullous impetigo causes larger blisters on the chest or back which last for several days without bursting, but which tend not to hurt. Although infectious, in both cases the sores heal after treatment and don’t leave scars.
The first thing to do with suspected impetigo is seek proper treatment from your doctor. Antibiotic creams can deal with the problem quickly and effectively. Impetigo likes a warm, dirty environment, so it’s important to wash hands after coming into contact with the infected area (or with clothes, towels, soap etc) in order to prevent the condition spreading. Try not to let kids scratch the sores or share sheets with someone who’s infected. Once treatment is underway, impetigo should start to clear up within 48 hours. Apart from infection, poor hygiene is the commonest cause of impetigo, so keeping yourself, your child and any infected areas clean is the best defence.
Comments and Questions
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
My 4 year old as had impetigo now for 8 weeks. We have had 2 types of antiobiotic cream and 2 types of oral antibiotic. Its not clearing up and just seems to keep looking sore. Its very hard to get into our doctors the next appointment being a week away can you advise on what we can do to clear this up. Thankyou
i have 2 daughters one is 2 and the other is 3. my 3year old contracted impetigo and the staph infection ate away at her arm leaving a massive scar on her arm. (though that may be because the doctors turned her away at the start) now my 2 year old has the same condition. i dont know how the could have had it they both wash thir hands constantly and bath twice a day. any info would be appreciated
Hi I have thrush I have tried putting Creams and one time I started putting coco butter there than the iching and irritation slowly went I stopped then the iching came back. I have had this for 1 year now Help what can I do plus I don't want to tell anyone :(
Go to the Dr. It is easily treated with canesten cream or tablets and will go quickly. You can buy the cream in Boots. Read the label carefully and keep excellent hygien. Most people will get thrush at some point in their lives. I got it from washing my bit with perfumed soap. Not nice.
My son age 6 keeps getting impatigo right under his eye same time every year. he has had it since he was a baby. he has had it turn nasty into perry orbital sellyotis (sorry spelling). he had to be admitted and be put on a drip. he gets givne the fucidin cream but also the Flucloxacillin medicine. He is run down this week with a sore throat and woke this morning with this bad eye again. Why does he keep getting it? and why does he keep getting it roughly the same time every year? Will he always get it? It looks so nasty by his eye, its swells and then the scab looks horrific. Please reply as i am at the end of my tether with this condition.
Have you tried traditional chinese medicine or a homeopath. They will treat the cause of the deiease and not just the symptoms of this particular attack. Good luck it not a very nice condition to have and it's very contagious.
im 17 and this is the 2nd time ive had impetigo im now on the pill so cant have antibiotic so what can i do
Try a Homeopath. They give excellent solutions to common problems. It's more comman than you think. Good luck. I found this website with lots of advice: http://www.otherhealth.com/homeopathy-discussion/2354-impetigo-child.html
Is there a connection between tonsilitis and impetigo? My son is 9 and twice has had very high temp and tonsilitis followed by a pinprick rash,then impetigo. He has high functioning autism and despite tonsilitis being described as bad by the GP he never mentions a sore throat.
Thats funny you should ask that, my son has had tonsilitus this week and has now got impatigo come out under his eye.
I would love to knoe if you found an answer to this question. My 7 year old son has just had tonsilitis and 10 days later he has impetigo, is there a connection?
My 7 year old and 1 year old have have several bouts of impetigo over the last 4 months. We just can't seem to get rid of it. We have tried antibiotics and fucidin ointment - they don't seem to work - the impetigo clears up on its own and then a few weeks later it is back. We keep them clean, they have clean clothes, pj's and towels every day. I have noticed other children at my daughters school have it and I'm guessing they are reinfecting each other. I am now trying aromatherapy oils - lets hope they work! I just wish it would go away!
my 18 month old son has been diagnosed as having impetigo on his face but have noticed puss on the gums behind his front teeth is this normal, he still has a dummy and bottle and is currntly taking flucloxacillin suspension as treatment will this clear this up
hi there my daughter is 6 and she keeps getting impetigo on her lips they seem to swell then start weeping.this is driving me up the wall as she has had this infection 4 time already this year why is this???
Yeah i'm 13 and I've suffered from it once and i have been given cream by the doctor and it took well over 48 hours to get better why is this:)?
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here