July 31, 2025 | Those red sores around your child’s nose or mouth could be a highly contagious skin infection known as impetigo. Although it commonly occurs when bacteria enter the skin through cuts or insect bites, it can also develop in skin that’s perfectly healthy. Two types of bacteria cause impetigo, staph and strep, both of which can live harmlessly on the skin until they enter through a cut or other wound and cause an infection. In adults, impetigo is usually the result of injury to the skin, such as dermatitis. Children are commonly infected through a cut, scrape or insect bite, but they can also develop impetigo without having any notable damage to the skin. The best protection against this form of infection is daily hand washing, and regular hydration of dry, chapped skin with some form of lotion or petroleum jelly. Although the infection can easily be spread, impetigo is seldom serious, and usually clears up on its own within two to three weeks.

July 31, 2025 | The most common form of impetigo is impetigo contagiosa, which usually begins as a red sore on a child’s face, most often around the nose and mouth. The sore ruptures quickly, oozing either fluid or pus that forms a honey-colored crust. Eventually the crust disappears, leaving a red mark that heals without scarring. While a child isn’t likely to have a fever with this type of impetigo, he or she may have swollen lymph nodes in the affected area. Another type, bullous impetigo, primarily affects infants and children under two years of age. It causes painless, fluid-filled blisters, usually on the trunk, arms and legs. The blisters, which break and scab over with a yellow-colored crust, may be large or small, and may last longer than sores from other types of impetigo. A third, more serious form of impetigo, ecthyma, penetrates deeper into the skin, with painful pus-filled sores that can cause scars even after the sores heal.

July 31, 2025 | The common skin infection known as impetigo can occur at any age, although most cases are seen in children under the age of 6. Children are especially susceptible to infections because their immune systems are still developing. And because staph and strep bacteria flourish wherever groups of people are in close contact, impetigo spreads easily in schools and child care settings. Anyone coming into direct contact with a child or adult with impetigo is at risk for the infection. A child may be more likely to develop impetigo if the skin has already been irritated or injured by other problems, such as insect bites, or an allergy to soap or makeup. Crowded conditions like daycare centers and warm, humid weather tend to increase the risk of spreading impetigo. Older adults and people with diabetes or a compromised immune system are especially likely to develop ecthyma, the most serious form of impetigo.

July 31, 2025 | Proper treatment of impetigo can speed healing of the sores, improve the skin’s appearance and limit the spread of the infection. But when it comes to choosing the right treatment, several factors must be taken into consideration, including the type of impetigo and the severity of the infection. As far as treating minor cases, keeping the skin clean can help the infection heal on its own. An antibiotic that can be applied to the affected areas may be prescribed. Before applying the antibiotic, any scabs should be gently removed so that the medication can penetrate the sore. Oral antibiotics may be prescribed for widespread impetigo, ecthyma and severe cases of impetigo contagiosa. The specific antibiotic depends on the severity of the infection and any known allergies or medical conditions. The entire course of medication should be taken even if the sores are healed, this helps prevent the infection from recurring.

July 31, 2025 | Clean skin is healthy skin. Treat cuts, scrapes, insect bites and other wounds right away by washing the affected areas and applying antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. Contact your pediatrician if your child has signs of impetigo, especially if he or she has been exposed to a family member or classmate with the infection. If you or someone in your family already has impetigo, follow these measures to help keep the infection from spreading to others. Avoid scratching touching the sores as much as possible until they heal. Gently wash the affected areas with mild soap and running water and then cover lightly with gauze. Wash the infected person’s clothes, linens and towels every day. Wear gloves when applying any antibiotic ointment and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. Cut an infected child’s nails short to prevent damage from scratching and keep the child at home until their doctor says he or she isn’t contagious.