Seeking Advice About Impetigo

E.,

When my son had Impetigo at age 3, we had to clean each little sore with hydrogen peroxide on a q-tip in the morning and evening using a fresh q-tip for each sore so as not to contaminate. Then I would liberally apply a neosporin or antibiotic ointment cream on and around each site. I was advised to cover any sites larger than a pencil eraser with a bandaid to protect it from being wiped by the child and spreading. Keep her hands and face very clean by washing and reapplying the ointment.

My son had it under his nose and it spread very quickly to his knuckles from wiping his nose with the back of his hand. The sores on his hand also grew quickly due to exposure to dirt, bacteria, etc. He hated the hydrogen peroxide and still hates the "brown stuff" to this day because it stings to clean the sores, but it has to be done. Doing this will clear it up pretty quickly. You can quit using the peroxide when the sores begin to shrink and scab over, but continue to use the ointment.

Good luck!

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Not sure if this response is too basic, but I am a pediatric nurse so I thought I'd give some basic conventional medical info. Just ignore if you already know all this - Impetigo is caused by an overgrowth of a normally occurring skin bacteria - staph aureus - meaning the bacteria is good and lives on the skin, but becomes out of balance (overgrows) after a cut, scratch, or insect bite causes an opening in the skin and the bacteria festers there. Usually the treatment at home is antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin or Polysporin). First, (make sure your hands are clean) remove the scabs gently with antibacterial soap and warm water (bacteria grows under the scab), then apply the ointment, then cover with a band-aid. Repeat this 3 times a day. The sores should stop growing after 1-2 days and resolve in a week.

However, one thing to add, is that are you sure that it is impetigo? If it is recurrent, gets worse, if there are other symptoms besides small sores on the face, or doesn't seem to heal, you might want to check in with the pediatrician to make sure it is not some other type of skin infection or that baby doesn't need a short course of oral antibiotics.

There may also be some complementary/alternative treatments but I don't know much about that area so I wouldn't want to mis-advise. I hope this helps!
J.

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My daughter kept getting it around her mouth when she would go to Las Vegas to visit her father and his family. For her it was a matter of the skin drying out too much, cracking, then becoming infected, so vitamin E oil and all natural lip balms became her best friend for prevention. But when it was really bad the first time, she saw the doctor for antibiotics.

Since antibiotics long term are not a great solution to keep doing over and over again, I would be curious about skin allergies / sensitivities that might be leaving her vulnerable to it (maybe something in the laundry detergent?) I would also be looking for some kind of gentle soap or facial wash with natural anti-bacterial properties. Just some thoughts...

We had it several times as kids. It seems Mom had us wash it with peroxide several times a day.

Make sure you are washing her bedding daily, and anything else that her face comes in contact with, like blankets or toys, towels, etc. It is very contagious and spreads easily.

I was freaked out as you are when my daughter had hers at 6 months old. It looked like an open sore and just kept getting bigger. I took her to her pediatrician and was told that I did the right thing because the infection would have spread even more. She prescribed an ointment for my daughter and told me to use it until the impetigo is completely gone so it does not come back. I think it's called Bactroban. I suggest you still see her doctor especially if it keeps coming back.

I used to get Impetigo as a kid all the time. Scrub it with soap and water with a washcloth. Break the little blisters. Immediately put Neosprorin on the area. Don't let her scratch it, that's how it spreads. Pretty soon there will be little scabs and it will go away shortly after that. It really sucks. Good luck. H.

Although I had it as an adolescent, I recall the doctors telling us that it was a sign that my immune system is low, so be especially careful & get some rest. Within a couple of months, I came down with mono....

I don't know if the following link will help or not, good luck!

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000860.htm

Comprehensive information from The Mayo Clinic:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/impetigo/DS00464

Impetigo is a bacterial infection and requires antibiotics. Sometimes topical ointment will work, but usually oral medication is required. Good luck

She needs an antibiotic from the doctor. It is highly contagious. Keep her away from other kids until it is gone.

Hi E., Impetigo is no fun and it can come back again and again and again. My son started getting it at age 5 and he still gets it and he is 11 now. I took him to the doctor and he is prescribed Bactroban ointment to put on it as soon as I start to see it. But if it gets too much then they prescribe him antibiotics. He has had it so bad that it spread to behind his ears and all over his chest and armpits. Remember to wash all the sheets and clothes in hot water because it can live on things for up to a week!!!! Wipe everything down that your child touches. And it is very contagious. We found out that I am a carrier for impetigo. I have never had it. But they can also get it from anything they touch. So when my son gets it, I have to make sure that my daughter does not have a lot of contact with him. Good luck!!!

I had it once. What got rid of it for me was to wet a wash cloth with warm water pat the area gently to clean and apply neosporin several times a day. I don't know if neosporin is okay for babies though. Good Luck.

Hi E.,

My daughter had this once, and her pediatrician prescribed antibiotics. It is a bacterial infection, and needs to be taken seriously. I'd recommend taking your daughter to her doctor.

Regards, L.

My daughter had it a couple of months ago and we put on neosporin 3-4 times a day. It took about 4-5 days to clear up. The sooner you start the antibacterial stuff the sooner it will get better and not have to get a prescription. I hope this helps.