Impetigo horror. Act now or not bother?

[Spider]

Spiderboy's best friend has impetigo. They're both five and very close. I noticed a red rashy area around his nose and mouth at a party on Saturday. It seems to be much less red now though it's still there. We've just been informed his friend has it so what would you do?

Here are my options as I see it.

1. Take him out of school and to the doctor's tomorrow to get it checked.

2. Wait to see if it gets any worse or looks more like impetigo before doing anything.

If it is impetigo do I need to treat the whole family as a precaution?

Impetigo VERY VERY contagious - take him to the docs.

Get him to the doctor's - it's extremely contagious.

GS had this last year. If you think it's impetigo - please don't take him to school, its not fair on the others. Take him mto the docs - you shouldn't need to treat the whole family, just make sure you use different towels etc. We got his early enough and it cleared up very quickly.

Do not wait or you will all be covered with it. Doctors tomorrow is best

Yuk! Really?
I made the mistake of googling images of impetigo.

I would probably do no. 1 Spider, as impetigo can be quite sore. Ds has it on his bum atm (infected nappy rash, poor wee soul) and he really cries when I change him ).

It is also very infectious - another reason for getting it checked out straightaway - Spiderboy will need to make sure he only uses his own towel/bedding etc to make sure he doesn't pass it on. But otherwise I don't think you need to treat the rest of the family, just exercise prevention.

Yrs you should get it checked. Impetigo can be nasty and cause gerneralized illness as well as rash. Not worht risking spreading it aroumd.

oh look, too slow as usual

Sorry about typing- did not check before posting!

You're on your own dino.
I think I'd better go with the majority verdict here.

Shame! Tomorrow was my child-free morning as ds4 is at the childminder. Ah well. Another small avenue of pleasure closes off.

Aw what a shame spider. Deffo best to get it checked out though.

I am currently lathering ds in Fucidin cream atm - it does work, but it takes a few days to kick in as it were.

Right it is impetigo. The doc was very casual about it. We have cream and he said don't bother to keep him off school if you don't want to unless the school is particularly fussy. 'If we kept kids off with impetigo the schools would be empty'.

I thought it was more serious than this. I didn't realise it was so common either as I haven't come across it so far.

Anyway he's off today and I'm not sure what to do about tomorrow.

Dino your description is spot on. ds2 now has a couple of blistery spots around his filthy gob. I guess it's very likely he's also afflicted.

What with the spotty faces and greasy hair filled with nit oil, they were ming-tastic this evening and a cautionary tale for anyone who thinks parenthood is a bowl of cherries.

'Goodnight kiss mummy'
'Erm, actually I have to dash but I'll blow you a kiss < puff > Night.'

We all had impetigo around Xmas. DS started it and was quite poorly, needed antibiotics and 2 weeks off nursery!!

It went round the family and DD got it twice. If it doesn't clear up quick, get antibiotics I say.

Oh yes Dino I don't know what I'd do without Ovex.

In France I had to go to the chemist and request some medicine in my best A Level French.

'Bonjour. C'est tres embarrassant mais mes enfants avent les vers dans les derreires. C'est tres itchy. Avez vous du medecin pour cette probleme?'

Apologies to any proper French speakers.

havent read whole thread but i had this as a child and have quite a few nasty scars it started with one infected cut on my toe and then i had it for months everytime i fell or got a mozzy bite it got infected(lived in sa)
i have massive ugly scar on arm due to falling out of a tree and getting infected, it can also be quite painfull

I think those will catch on as names spider Ming and Tastic have a certain ring