Skin problems

What is impetigo?
Often called the ‘school sores’ because so many school kids get it, impetigo is a skin infection caused by bacteria.
The bacteria gets inside the skin through a cut or bite and causes small blisters to develop. They quickly burst and ooze fluid that crusts over. The crust is yellow-brown, or honey-colored, making impetigo look different than other scabs. In a less common kind of impetigo that affects babies and younger kids, the blisters are larger and take longer to burst. The fluid in these blisters may start out clear and then turn cloudy.

What should I do?
See a doctor to get an antibiotic ointment or an antibiotic pill or liquid if the case is serious.

What not to do?
Impetigo might itch, but try to stop your child scratching or touching the sores. Touching them can spread the sores to other parts of the body or to someone else. If you touch the area, be sure to wash your hands.

Impetigo is contagious, which means that it could spread it to other people. Ideally keep your child off school for the first 24 hours of taking the medication.

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