Should a child with impetigo be in school?

[mykidsmum]

Just that really, kid at school with impetigo not sure he should be there?

The Dr thinks DD suffers from this quite frequently. I say thinks as each Dr has a different opinion as to whether its impetigo or a coldsore.
Anyway, after DD had missed loads of time off school, I actually asked the Dr what we should do about school, we were told that once she has had 3 doses of antibiotics its fine for her to go to school. I'm not sure if I believe in this, it still looks weepy and open at this time.

DD did catch it once I believe from a boy in her class, not that the mum ever admitted that was what he had.

If I was concerned about my child catching it, I'd say to the other parent 'When my child had it, we had to keep him/her off school for 7 days (or whatever)' Hopefully they will take the hint without taking offence!

no

er no. Not unless it is dried over and has been treated with ab's for at least 24-48 hours.

What does it look like? Sorry, I'm hijacking - but ds2 doesn't have eczema or anything but has developed this patch on his hand between his thumb and index finger. It started off as a dry patch that looked a bit like eczema but now it's really quite red and angry looking and looks a bit cracked. Nothing weeping though and no blister - could this be it?

Will go to GP tomorrow but just thought I'd ask.

A child can go back to school after they have been on treatment for 24 hours ,so they would prob be off for 2 school days.You would still be able to see the imeptigo at this point.

From netdoctor.co.uk:-
A preschool child should not return to nursery school or playgroup until the scabs have fallen off and he or she is no longer contagious. Small children will touch and scratch their scabs and therefore run the risk of infection.

Schoolchildren can normally return to their classes after one week from the start of treatment even with scabs as long as they remember not to scratch or touch them. Above all, they must remember to wash their hands regularly and only use their own comb, brush, facecloth or towel.

It is important that the school fully understands the nature of impetigo, and that the presence of scabs does not necessarily mean that person remains infectious.

GDG, it starts off either as little blisters or as a cut/graze that doesn't seem to be healing and just get bigger and bigger and weepier and weepier.

It also turns yellow and gooey (ime)

MY dd had it a while ago but it was on her leg. I discussed it with GP & nursery teacher and everyone agreed she could go back to nursery after 2 days of antibiotics provided it was kept covered at all times. I also gave dd lots of reminders about not touching it and keeping her hands very clean. the nursery teacher said if it had been on her face she would have had to stay off until it was pretty much cleared up (ie not weepy, crusty etc anymore).

It is on childs face still haven't done anything about it though, in school again today

I would contact the school office and ask them to deal with it on a confidential basis. (I'm a coward when it comes to confrontation )

Mykidsmum, Is impetigo-face still in school today?

have skimmed thread but there are some guidelines \link{http://libraries.nelh.nhs.uk/guidelinesFinder/searchResponse.asp?searchText=impetigo&searchZone=%2FguidelinesFinder%2FsearchResponse.asp\here}. impetigo is transmitted through physical contact.

stitch - my gp said swimming was ok!

Hi Juliab, I decided to speak to the mum in the end, it turns out i wasn't the only one who had a word and she has kept her off school. She was fine about it

Interestingly enough, I was told by ds's teacher to cover the scabs and keep quiet if he gets it again . I was concerned about him missing days of school when he had only just started, especially as he wasn't actually ill. The gp has told me in the past that the child has to have had ABs for 48 hours before they can return to school. Ds has had impetigo 3 times (has eczema, so more prone to this), and each time, the ABs have made a huge difference within 3-4 doses.

I would kick off if someone brought their kid in with impetigo, because last time DD2 caught it, it went into her ezcema and covered 80% of her body, I couldn't pick her up without causing her pain, it looked like she was burned. It also took 2 months for her skin to recover, but you should still see the marks for months afterwards.

Glad it all got sorted, my kidsmum!
Dior - 3 times! your poor ds. hope that's your lot...
Impetigo really is the pits.

Yes, poor little mite. It's so horrible to have to wipe the crusty stuff off (bleugh...sorry!) and see him wince. He's a little angel about it all really, and he has had to go through so much prodding and dosing with his eczema.