More Resources Childs Health Impetigo | Impetigo |
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Dear Parents, Several Children in the nursery have been diagnosed with impetigo in the past week, so we thought it would beneficial if we gave you some information on this condition. Impetigo is also known as the Schools Sores Virus, because it spreads so quickly and easily. Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection that's very common in small children, especially in hot humid weather. It is easily treated with antibiotics. It starts with small red spots, often on the face, which gradually blister and crust. The rash typically appears 4-10 days after you have been infected with the bacteria. Small blisters develop at first. You may not see the blisters as they often soon burst to leave scabby patches on the skin. Sometimes only one or two patches develop. They look like moist, golden crusts stuck onto the skin. An area of redness (inflammation) may develop under each patch. The face is the most common area affected but impetigo can occur on any part of the skin. Patches of impetigo vary in size, but are usually quite small - a centimeter or so to begin with. Smaller 'satellite' patches may develop around an existing patch and spread outwards. See your GP as soon as possible if you think your child has impetigo. You will be given antibiotic cream or tablets which will quickly clear it up in around 10 days. Impetigo is highly contagious, so keep them off nursery or school and make sure they wash their hands frequently and don't share towels. As impetigo is contagious (can be passed on by touching):
Please be aware that, here in nursery we are doing all that we can to try and limit the spread of this infection by washing the children’s hands and wiping their noses more frequently, and also by washing toys and equipment on a regular basis, however, this infection is very easily spread, so please be on the look out for signs or symptoms in your child. |
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