Impetigo

Symptoms

• Little clusters of round red bumps, often with a thin yellowish crust. The lesions may appear anywhere on the skin, but are usually found on the face, around the mouth, on the nose, and on the forearms. In babies and young children, they may show up on the buttocks.
• Possible fever and swollen lymph nodes (little lumps) in their neck, if lesions appear on the face.

What is impetigo?

Impetigo is a highly contagious, generally benign skin infection. It is caused by bacteria (staphylococcus or streptococcus) that penetrate the skin. They usually enter and infect a fragile or injured area of the epidermis (scratches, cuts, burns, small eczema lesions, etc.).

Impetigo may appear in the wake of an illness affecting the skin, such as chickenpox or an eczema flare-up. If a child has a cold, impetigo can also emerge on the irritated skin below the nose.

Treatment

The doctor will recommend hygiene measures and explain how to wash the affected areas and soften scabs. An antibiotic ointment may also be prescribed, if necessary. Antibiotic ointment should be applied for 7 to 14 days, depending on the type of ointment prescribed. With ointment, impetigo should heal in about 5 days. Lesions generally disappear completely within 1 week.

For more serious cases, the doctor will prescribe an oral antibiotic. If this is the case, complete the full course of treatment, even if the symptoms resolve.

In addition to doctor-prescribed treatment, trim and file your child’s nails and try to prevent them from scratching their lesions. If necessary (at night, for example), dress the affected area with a sterile compress.

If your child has frequent bouts of impetigo, see a doctor to find out whether an underlying illness (e.g., immune system disorder) might be the cause.

Prevention

To prevent impetigo, take a moment to thoroughly cleanse minor skin lesions such as cuts, scratches, and insect bites.

If your child has impetigo, take the following steps to reduce the risk of spreading the infection:

• Ensure that their hands are washed properly and often, with soap and water. For very young children, do it for them. Make sure that anyone who has been in contact with your child washes their hands too.
• Set aside towels, washcloths, and soap for your child’s exclusive use. These should not be used by other family members.
• Wash your child’s towels, face cloths, washcloths, sheets, and pillowcases with soap and hot water. Avoid combining them with those of other family members.
• Complete the full course of prescribed treatment.

Scientific review: Dr. Anne-Claude Bernard-Bonnin, pediatrician Research and copywriting:The Naître et grandir team Updated: January 2025

Photo: BSIP/Jose Oto