Impetigo: What is it?!

Impetigo is a skin infection that is very common among children. It usually begins as a skin injury that becomes infected (typically by scratching or not cleaning the injury). This can be a cut, scrape, eczema, insect bite or poison ivy.  Impetigo occurs more frequently during the spring and summer months when children are more likely to get these kinds of injuries from outdoor activities. It causes red pimples, blisters, and an oozing rash on the face, hands, legs and diaper area.

If you think your child has impetigo, take them to a doctor. There, a doctor will identify impetigo from the rash or blisters and prescribe an antibiotic. Depending on the size of the rash, you may receive an oral antibiotic or antibiotic ointment for the skin. Your child can return to school after being on an antibiotic (oral or ointment) for 24 hours or when they feel well enough to return. It is important to cover the exposed areas loosely to allow the blisters to heal and prevent the infection from spreading.

While the infection is healing, it should be washed daily with warm water and antiseptic soap. The infection is contagious and is passed through either directly touching the infected skin or through items that have been touched by the infected skin (clothes, bed sheets, et cetera). Adults can get impetigo as well, typically from exposure to their infected child.

Call the doctor if:

• It has been three days of treatment and it is not getting better
• If a fever develops
• If the rash becomes warm/tender to the touch

Impetigo is preventable. Have your child wash their hands and face and if they have a skin injury, be sure to clean it frequently so it does not become impetigo.

Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care has 12 locations in Texas. We are happy to announce that we will be opening a location in New Braunfels this summer, located at 312 FM 306, New Braunfels TX, 78130
We are open from 9am–9pm Mon.-Fri., 9am-6pm on Sat., and 10am-6pm on Sun. For more information, please call 210.543.7334. We welcome walk-ins, accept most insurance plans and are proud to be accredited by the Urgent Care Association!