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Original poster

Impetigo - should i go to work?

12 replies

SingleMum01 · 28/02/2010 09:31

Had a dry patch on face and a couple of spreading spots which i thought was acne. Went to dr yesterday as it wasn't going and getting drier and sorer - he said it was impetigo and gave me antibiotics. Am i okay to go to work on Monday - i work in an office. Yeuch feel dirty

OP posts:
EggyAllenPoe · 28/02/2010 09:35

it is quite contagious - I caught it from DH once...

i still went to work though just made sure i idn't touch my face/ other people.

don't worry, there's no sign of it ever being there depite it getting half my face.

Northernlurker · 28/02/2010 09:40

I think you're fine as you've started antibiotics. It's not dirty either - you've just got a minor skin infection.

Original poster
SingleMum01 · 28/02/2010 09:45

how long will it take to go? where can you get it from, my DS hasn't got it although I was at a kids party yesterday, although i had spots before that - just thought I'd a mthly breakout. How do you know the difference between spots and impetigo?

OP posts:
Original poster
SingleMum01 · 28/02/2010 11:25

bump?

OP posts:
lucykate · 28/02/2010 11:34

i think you'll be fine. dd had it a couple of years ago and was given antibiotic cream, i had to keep her off school for 48hrs after starting treatment, but that's kids, i'm sure as an adult, if you wash your hands frequently, it'll be fine. ime, once treatment is started, it clears up fairly quickly.

lucykate · 28/02/2010 11:35

i think impetigo will be more of a sore patch than a spot, weep a little and can crust with a honey coloured scab.

Original poster
SingleMum01 · 28/02/2010 11:58

how soon will it look better

OP posts:
Milliways · 28/02/2010 17:29

My DD suffers with recurrent imtegigo, and she HAD to keep going to school or would never have completed her A levels.

AS long as you maintain good hygiene/hand washing etc and don't let anyone else touch it then you should be fine.

(Hers was on her forehead so she used to pin her fringe around it to hide it, but that didn't help it to heal!

haze7 · 23/12/2014 15:41

I was diagnosed with inpetigo by my doctor today. My boss still wants me to work.
I work with the elderley and infirm.
My boss has said to cover up and wash my hands after each call.
I'm a mobile carer.
Is she right in saying this

mrspottasbubble · 23/12/2014 17:11

From memory once antibiotics are started you can go back to normal life.

Santasgrotto · 23/12/2014 20:01

NO! It's highly infectious. I am sure the web will tell you but I thought you were infectious as long as the rash was visible. Children must be kept off school with it until it's clear so assume adults are the same.

Santasgrotto · 23/12/2014 20:02

from NHS direct...

How impetigo is treated
Impetigo usually gets better without treatment in around two to three weeks, but treatment is often recommended because it can reduce the length of the illness to around seven to 10 days and can lower the risk of the infection being spread to others.
The main treatments prescribed are antibiotic creams or antibiotic tablets. These usually have to be used for around a week.
During treatment, it's important to take precautions to minimise the risk of impetigo spreading to other people or other areas of the body, such as by:
not touching the sores whenever possible
washing your hands regularly
not sharing flannels, sheets or towels
staying away from work, school, nursery or playgroup until the sores have dried up or treatment has been continuing for at least 48 hours
Most people are no longer contagious after 48 hours of treatment or once their sores have dried and healed.

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