Impetigo is a common skin rash that affects very young children usually between the ages of two and five. While the condition isn’t typically hazardous to a child’s health, timely treatment can resolve the rash and prevent more serious complications from occurring.
Impetigo results from a specific type of bacteria, which can be transferred through touch or by contact with contaminated objects. Children with impetigo often develop blisters around the nose and mouth, although the rash can appear all over the body. these blisters eventually break and form a gold-coloured crust.
Most cases of impetigo require treatment with a medicated ointment containing antibiotics. This ointment can be applied to the skin multiple times a day for up to ten days until the rash subsides. When the condition is more serious, doctors can also prescribe antibiotic medication to be taken orally. It’s important for children to take all medication according to their doctor’s instructions.
Along with securing timely medical care for children with impetigo, parents and caregivers can also take steps to prevent rashes from spreading to other areas:
You can also protect other children from impetigo by keeping your child home from school or daycare until the infection resolves.