Impetigo How to Stop the Spread
IMPETIGO How to Stop the Spread
If your child has a cut, a skinned knee or a scratched-open mosquito bite, she may be putting out the welcome mat for a decidedly unpleasant visitor: impetigo. This contagious bacterial skin infection occurs when strep or staph bacteria gain entry into your child's skin. A frequent site for impetigo is around the nose and mouth, but it may appear anywhere on the body.
If impetigo is caused by staph bacteria, you'll see small, fluid-filled blisters that break easily and scab over into a honey-colored crust. If strep is the culprit (and yes, that's the same strep responsible for strep throat infections), there may not be blisters, but you will see crusting.
Impetigo remains contagious, spreading to other parts of the body and even to other family members, until it is treated with an antibiotic. Small areas can be cleared up by applying an antibiotic ointment available by prescription, but a large outbreak of impetigo needs to be treated with oral antibiotics. The antibiotics do a great job of stopping the infection, but your child may still be contagious for the first two to three days of treatment. During that time, she should avoid close contact with other kids, and you should be sure to keep her towel and washcloth separate from everyone else's.
Impetigo may cause scars that hang around for months, but these eventually fade away, says Daniel Bronfin, M.D., staff pediatrician at the Ochsner Clinic and assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. ''In most cases, the worst part of impetigo is that it is itchy and unsightly, but if it is properly treated, it will go away in a week or two,'' says Dr. Bronfin.
To help speed your child's recovery and to prevent a repeat infection, try these simple suggestions.
Treatment
Keep it clean. '' Wash the affected area with antibacterial soap three times a day,'' says Luisa Castiglia, M.D., a pediatrician in private practice in Mineola, New York.
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| When to See the Doctor ''Take your child to the doctor if he develops a fever along with the impetigo or if he has a blister that is larger than an inch in diameter,'' says Daniel Bronfin, M.D., staff pediatrician at the Ochsner Clinic and assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. A fever may indicate the presence of a deep skin infection such as cellulitis, which is more serious and must be treated with intravenous antibiotics. A large blister may indicate an abscess that needs to be drained, Dr. Bronfin says. Also, impetigo due to strep bacteria may lead to a rare and potentially serious kidney disease. Alert your physician immediately if your child's urine becomes red or cola-colored, he warns. |
Open it up. ''If you keep the area covered up with a bandage or dressing, you may be encouraging more bacteria to grow. It's a better idea to leave the affected area exposed to the air. If your child is going out to play, you can cover it up temporarily,'' says Dr. Castiglia.
Encourage good hygiene. ''Impetigo is often spread by scratching, so teach kids to wash their hands with soap and to keep their nails clean and short,'' says Fran E. Adler, M.D., a pediatrician in private practice in Upper Montclair, New Jersey.
Keep it cool. ''Studies show that heat tends to increase itching, so keep your child comfortable with tepid baths,'' says Dr. Bronfin. The bath should be just about body temperature, not warmer. ''In the summertime, it also helps to run the air conditioner,'' he adds.
Use a bit of antihistamine. If your child is very itchy, Benadryl Elixir,
a liquid antihistamine product for children, can be a big help, says Dr. Bronfin. Be sure to read package directions to make certain the product is recommended for your child's age. For the correct dosage, follow package directions or consult your physician. Some doctors don't advise Benadryl cream
or spray because it could cause a reaction.
Preventive Care
Catch it early. ''An infection usually won't lead to impetigo if you catch it early. At the very first sign of any infection, wash the area well and apply an over-the-counter antibacterial ointment containing bacitracin. If the infection doesn't improve or if it starts to spread, see your doctor,'' says Dr. Adler.
Treat diaper rash seriously. ''Impetigo can develop in a diaper area if your child's rash is not cleaned and protected,'' says Dr. Castiglia. One of the best ways to prevent impetigo in infants is to guard against diaper rash. (See page 128 for diaper rash remedies.)
Lubricate a sore nose. Impetigo is very common when a child has a runny nose, especially in the wintertime, says Dr. Adler. ''A child's nose gets sore and chapped from all the rubbing and moisture, so keep the area lubricated with Vaseline so that the skin won't break down. Also, make sure that your child keeps her hands and face clean,'' says Dr. Adler.
