Impetigo

[beansprout]

Ds has had this for about 3 weeks. It was incorrectly diagnosed as eczema (despite me saying, I really think this is impetigo) and so I had the wrong cream for 10 days. Have now been applying the right one for 5 days and have (reluctantly) just started oral antibiotics.

How long does this take to clear up? Have been expecting an improvement but so far, it isn't really happening. Should I go back or hang on a bit? TIA

ARghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Bloody impetigo was the bane of our lives for months

we were given the fucidic acid (fucidin) cream and it did help. DH had a massive patch on his legs that was oonly being managed by the creams and anti-b's, he's had it for about 9 months now and is awaiting a call back from BUPA to see a dermatologist about it.

The DSs and DD have also had it (in milder doses) and it is a 'mare to get rid of.

it took around 4-6 weeks for the DSs patches to clear and around 6-8 weeks for DD's.

we were told that the anti-bs will only kill the infection which will stop it spreading they will not aid the healing. The bacteria will be killed but the flesh will still have to heal and will take a while.

Thanks NDP. Have the same cream. Is there anything else I can do? Do I need to wash stuff? His is all over his face esp around his mouth.

Scupulous hygiene is best. You should boil wash all the bedding and towels he uses etc.

Any sponges or flannels you use on him should be kept for his use only and binned/replaced when the infection is clear.

Other than that it's a waiting game. But don't be afraid to keep going back to see you GP and push for a dermatology referral if it goes on longer than a couple of months without obvious improvement

My ds had impetigo and the one thing i always wondered was , How do they get it? My mil made out it was because of dirt. But ds is extremly clean and so are his clothes,towels,bedding everything!

It's very, very conatigious. It's a bacterial infection which enters through broken skin

Thanks, at least it seems to be acting normally, even if it is a pain in the butt!

contagious, even

Loula - that's a sore point! Ds's half sister is 17 and has it, and despite me asking that she be really careful, she has kissed him on the face and so......

loulabelle, it's likely that your DS had a tiny graze or whatever and caught it of another child

'off'

From NHS Direct....

Prevention

Impetigo is highly contagious. Sensible hygiene precautions prevent the spread of bacteria and reduce the risk of other people catching it:

children with impetigo should be kept from nursery, playgroup or school until the spots have dried up and are no longer leaking fluid. With the use of antibiotics, impetigo usually heals within a week;
ensure that they have their own flannel and towel, which must be washed at a high temperature after use;
restrict touching of the spots;
encourage frequent hand washing.
To prevent the impetigo returning, keep skin clean and ensure that any condition causing broken skin (e.g. eczema, nappy rash) is treated early.

From NHS Direct....

Prevention

Impetigo is highly contagious. Sensible hygiene precautions prevent the spread of bacteria and reduce the risk of other people catching it:

children with impetigo should be kept from nursery, playgroup or school until the spots have dried up and are no longer leaking fluid. With the use of antibiotics, impetigo usually heals within a week;
ensure that they have their own flannel and towel, which must be washed at a high temperature after use;
restrict touching of the spots;
encourage frequent hand washing.
To prevent the impetigo returning, keep skin clean and ensure that any condition causing broken skin (e.g. eczema, nappy rash) is treated early.

Causes

Impetigo is caused by a bacterium called staphylococcus aureus, and by some strains of streptococcus.

Conditions where the skin is broken, such as eczema, nappy rash, or even just scratches or insect bites, can make it easier for the bacteria to enter the skin's layers and begin an infection.

Treatment

See your GP for treatment for impetigo. Antibiotic creams or ointments applied to the spots are usually enough to cure an infection.

If the impetigo is spreading rapidly, then your GP may prescribe a short course of antibiotics.

Impetigo is highly infectious for up to 12 days, so children should be kept away from other children until the skin infection has healed up and the scabs have dropped off.