Infectious Diseases: Impetigo

Symptoms

A skin infection that usually appears around the mouth, nose and exposed parts of skin as a rash with a cluster of red bumps or blisters, which may ooze or be covered by a honey-coloured crust. There are many germs under the crusts.

Cause

Caused by the streptococcus and staphyloccus bacteria getting into a child's scrapes and insect bites. It does not occur because of a lack of cleanliness.

Treatment

Antibiotics given by mouth or applied on the skin as an ointment.

Transmission/Prevention

Spread when a person touches an impetigo rash and then touches another person. Hand-washing after touching infected skin prevents the spread of the infection. Children with impetigo should not return to their daycare or school until they have taken the prescribed antibiotic for at least 24 hours. It is important to take the medication until is it finished.