Had anyones child had impetigo for 7 weeks? Help!

[Needahandholdplease2023]

All started on the 27th December when I was told on the 31st by 2 doctors it was hand foot and mouth (only on face) no other symptoms, I didnt think this was right but had to believe them. Took him back to the drs a couple if weeks later and was told impetigo and given fuciden, this didn't work so 5 days later was given 5 days of antibiotics, these didn't work so a week later was given 7 days of antibiotics. Here we are nearly 7 weeks on and I've been given 3 weeks of antibiotics, a nose ointment and more cream and awaiting a referral to dermatology. I'm sick of it now my poor little boy (2) has been sore and suffering for weeks. He's had it swabbed and it's staphylococcus which confirms impetigo apparently and the antibiotics prescribed should be clearing it, but they're not. He was up all lastnight screaming in pain with his mouth oozing again and bright red. Has anyone else had this and what shifted it?! Thankyou

[Needahandholdplease2023]

Bump

[Needahandholdplease2023]

Bumping again sorry

[TheCompactPussycat]

Oh dear, that sounds horrid. Has the doctor given any indication as to why it's not clearing up?

[nocoolnamesleft]

What antibiotics has he had?

[Needahandholdplease2023]

No no clue why it isn't shifting he's had it swabbed and the antibiotics he's been on should of killed the bacteria apparently. Started with 5 days of amoxcillin then he did 7 days of Clarithromycin and he's now on it for another 3 week. The dr wasn't sure if he was reinfecting himself hence the nasal cream too. Just don't get how my daughter hasn't got it or any one else..

[Alyosha]

Has it got any better at all with the antibiotics? Could it be coldsores instead? My 5yo son has had impetigo every month from the age of 3 (Dermatology saw him and weren't interested), but it does clear up with Fucidin and oral antibiotics when he's had those.

[Needahandholdplease2023]

Nope no better :( the fucidin just made him scream in pain and made his mouth so red and swolen so stopped that straight away. They swabbed it though and it came back positive for whatever bacteria causes impetigo? And said both the antibiotics should of treated it. Seems to calm down and loose redness but within hours it's back angry again so not sure what's causing it :( just fed up now! Also not been near anyone who has coldsores but not sure

[Alyosha]

The bacteria that causes it naturally lives on skin, so I'm not sure it would be conclusive. Can you really push for a dermatology referral? Unless the bacteria is resistant to the antibiotics you'd think it would have worked by now!

[Needahandholdplease2023]

Ah that's interesting to know so maybe not impetigo at all! Which 8 weeks later I'm thinking it's not or it would of gone by now.. got dermatology on the 26th March! X

[Alyosha]

Good luck for the appointment! Have you tried cold sore cream just in case?

[Needahandholdplease2023]

No I haven't, what's the best thing to use and would it hurt/sting him on applying? Thankyou for your help :)

[Alyosha]

Just the stuff you can buy in the supermarket with acyclovir as the active ingredient, it shouldn't sting!

[Needahandholdplease2023]

It's looking more allergy or food related now as it's near enough disappearing then flaring up again on certain days, keeping a food diary to see if I can notice anything. Abit gutted we got told he had hand foot and mouth then impetigo and he's had 5 weeks of antibiotics if they weren't needed.. not long to wait now until the dermatologist 🤞

[Alyosha]

Glad you are getting closer to some answers!

[Needahandholdplease2023]

3 months and 2 different diagnoses' its now eczema? Some type of dermatitis so more cream, steriod cream and a follow up appointment. Just want to shift it now!