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Original poster

Bloody Impetigo!

33 replies

BiscuitsandBaileys · 02/07/2010 10:52

Does anyone know of a magic cure for impetigo?
I am so fed up with it. DD2 6yo, has it for the third time in 5 weeks and DD1 10yo has it for the second time. DD2 is on her third lot of antibiotics and the doctor has given us Betnovate cream to use this time.
Is this something they will be stuck with now?
I am changing towels and bedding daily, not sure if this helps but I am desperate!

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mumof4sons · 02/07/2010 15:11

We had impetigo in our family for ages. Started with one boy and passed on to another and so on and so on. In the end, the doctor swabbed my hands (thought I might be the carrier even though I had no symptoms). He also put the whole family on antibiotics at the same time whether showing symptoms or not. It worked. We got rid of impetigo and have never had it again.

Original poster
BiscuitsandBaileys · 02/07/2010 15:56

Thanks mumof4sons, thats really helpful.
It feels like it's never going to go, so it's good to hear a positive story

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Original poster
BiscuitsandBaileys · 02/07/2010 19:59

Bump

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TennisFan · 02/07/2010 20:03

My DS got prescribed a good cream (there are 2 versions, one with more steroids i think).
Its called Fucidin and now when I think it is going to flare up again I use it to nip it in the bud so to speak.

aristocat · 02/07/2010 20:26

for you BandB - my DS had it a few years ago and it was awful.
cant remember the name of the cream but it cleared it up eventually.

do your DDs have eczema?

MumInBeds · 02/07/2010 20:33

Fucidin is the only thing that has worked here, dd gets is from time to time but the cream does the trick in a few days.

CaptainKirksNipples · 02/07/2010 20:33

I think you should be given 2 creams if you have this, one for up your nose and one for the skin. I had a tiny patch on the inside of my nose, I was on Roaccutane at the time so (I left it for a while as sore skin inside your nose can be a symptom) but it started to spread. It cleared up really quickly using both creams.

I don't think it can be passed from towels I think it needs to be direct contact, but it is likely that your kids are scratching and then touching each other. If you can stop them touching each other you should stop the spread

nikki1978 · 02/07/2010 20:34

Can I ask what the impetigo looked like?

DD has apparently had impetigo twice in the last month (has anti-bs both times). It was just a really large sore spot about the size of a two pence piece (very red outside and a massive head on it). The first time we didn't know what it was and squeezed it and a good tablespoon of pus came out (!) so we took her to the docs. When I google it the pics look completely different but the doc is convinced he is right.

CaptainKirksNipples · 02/07/2010 20:40

That sounds more like a boil or something. Impetigo that I had was painful with yellow honey colour scabs that weep, and spread quickly. Disappeared within a day or two after cream was applied. It was lovely!

tightwad · 02/07/2010 20:44

fucidin is the stuff you need.

i contracted it in hospital after giving birth

apply with a cotton bud, wash hands immediately after and dont physically touch it.

put cream onto cotton bud, dont allow the cream tube anywhere near the scab.
wash hands LOTS

Jamieandhismagictorch · 02/07/2010 20:45

yes, Fucidin worked for DS2 too

mrsfred · 02/07/2010 20:49

DH gets impetigo regularly when the rugby season starts (they call it scrumpox) and when he is run down.

If it is a small patch fucidin works really well and it dries up in a couple of days. A larger outbreak usually needs antibiotics at the same time.

The doctor also gave him Dermol lotion to use, which is an antimicrobial face wash.

Original poster
BiscuitsandBaileys · 02/07/2010 20:58

aristocat- no, DD's don't have eczema. Is it associated with that?

muminbeds- The first couple of times the doctor gave them fucidin, but this time he said he'd give her a stronger cream and gave her betnovate.

captain- I mentioned to the doctor on wednesday about a cream for her nose as someone else told me about this. Doctor just said 'hmmm.' Think I will insist on it if it comes back though.
I read that you should not share bedding and towels if you have impetigo (which they don't do anyway). I guess it must also be spread this way so I thought it wouldn't hurt to wash these every day (and give me plenty of washing)

nikki- The first time DD2 got it she had a large patch on her side. It was crusty and yellow. The second time she had little red patches the same side of her body, but also on her front. This time she has it in her hair. It look's the same as the first time.
DD1 got it on her face and now on the back of her neck.
Thanks for the replies.

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CaptainKirksNipples · 02/07/2010 21:02

I think it is associated with eczema as it is broken skin that the bacteria can get in? Doc said something like that about my skin (very dry and chapped due to Roaccutane) I was gutted, no acne but impetigo!

Original poster
BiscuitsandBaileys · 02/07/2010 21:11

DD2 first got in the same area that she had infected gnat bites, they cleared up and then the impetigo appeared. I found out after that a few children in her class had it, so I guess it's the same as if she had broken skin from eczema.

tightwad- I am going through so many cotton buds

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Jamieandhismagictorch · 02/07/2010 21:16

yy - it is broken skin. DS2s started with a small split in the corner of his mouth

biscuitsandbandages · 02/07/2010 22:36

if it is around the mouth and nose we currently think it might be commonly associated with a bacteria in the nose so if it is coming back repeatedly your GP might consider naseptin (the nose cream),

if it is on the body its is more likely to be related to a bacteria living on the skin not the nose so dermol lotion or hibiscrub to wash with for a few weeks to break the cycle can help instead.

(ps. doctor)

biscuitsandbandages · 02/07/2010 22:36

ps - just realised we have similar usernames

aristocat · 02/07/2010 22:52

i only asked about eczema because my DS has it and his was just the same as Jamies a small split on his mouth. as you know it gets bigger very quickly and was huge .

have just thought that the GP gave us an anti-bacterial body wash to wash him top to toe with.

good luck

Just13moreyearstogo · 02/07/2010 22:55

Another vote for fucidin here too.

Original poster
BiscuitsandBaileys · 03/07/2010 08:36

biscuitsandbandages- like the name!
Thats really helpful, thankyou. DD2 has not had it on her face, maybe thats why the doctor was reluctant to prescribe the nose cream.

The anti-bacterial washes sound good though.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

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kreecherlivesupstairs · 03/07/2010 09:13

I'm interested in this, just started a question asking about DD's rash. I googled impetigo and it looks nothing like what is ailing her, but, given the range of sypmtoms I suppose it could be. I will be visiting the pharmacy later on for advice and avoiding touching her.

fruitstick · 03/07/2010 09:21

Ah, biscuit. I have found your thread.

DS' is everywhere. Started on his bottom and has spread to legs, face, stomach, It's hideous.

ivykaty44 · 03/07/2010 09:28

Fucidin

is the cream of all creams

along with nose swabs to see who is carrying the impetigo

antibiotics

savlons/dettol to wash sinks and baths and soak towels and linen then wash

Original poster
BiscuitsandBaileys · 03/07/2010 09:49

kreecher- it was the pharmasist who first told me DD had this. I thought it was another gnat bite, but it loked much worse. I would definitely visit the chemist.

fruitstick- your poor DS must be in agony

ivy- is it not enough to wash towels/bedding on a 60 wash?

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