Impetigo in kids: recognizing and treating this common bacterial skin infection.
You know that sinking feeling when your child walks through the door with strange red bumps or crusty spots on their skin? If you're seeing honey-colored scabs around their mouth, nose, or other areas, you might be dealing with impetigo, a very common skin infection that affects lots of kids.
Impetigo affects over 162 million children worldwide and accounts for 10% of all pediatric skin problems, showing up most often in children between 2 and 5 years old. This bacterial infection spreads easily from child to child at school, on playgrounds, and in daycare centers.
While those crusty patches can look scary, here's some good news: with the right treatment, impetigo usually clears up in just a week or two.
At CityMD, we treat impetigo all the time and know how worried parents can get when they see these skin changes.
The key is knowing what to watch for and when to bring your child in for care.
What does impetigo look like in children?
Impetigo can look different depending on what type your child has, but both kinds have some telltale signs that help parents figure out what they're dealing with.
Bullous impetigo.
Bullous impetigo starts with small blisters filled with fluid. These blisters pop and leave red, sore spots behind.
You'll usually see them on your child's trunk, arms, and legs. They make round patches of angry-looking skin with raised edges around them.
Non-bullous impetigo.
Non-bullous impetigo is the type most kids get. It begins as tiny red bumps that turn into small blisters pretty quickly.
Within a few days, these blisters break open and create those famous honey-colored or golden crusts that many parents know to look for. You'll most often spot these crusty areas around the nose, mouth, and chin, but they can pop up anywhere on your child's body.
Both types of impetigo might make your child's skin itch a little, but most kids don't seem too bothered by it.
The spots might feel a bit tender when you touch them, but impetigo usually doesn't cause much pain. Sometimes you might notice swollen glands near the infected skin, especially if it's on the face.
It's easy to mix up early impetigo with other common kid skin problems like eczema, bug bites, or cold sores. But impetigo's signature honey-colored crusts and how fast it spreads help tell it apart from other conditions.
How impetigo spreads in kids and the best treatment options.
Impetigo spreads when kids touch infected skin or share things like towels, clothes, and toys that have germs on them. Children pass it to each other easily during normal play, when they share stuff, or just from touching each other.
The bacteria get into your child's body through tiny breaks in their skin, like cuts, scrapes, bug bites, or spots that are already irritated from things like eczema. Once it gets started, impetigo can spread to other parts of your child's body if they scratch the infected spots and then touch healthy skin.
Topical antibiotics.
Topical antibiotics for impetigo are usually the first treatment doctors try for mild cases.
These prescription creams, like mupirocin, work really well when you put them right on the infected areas. You'll want to gently wash the crusty spots with warm, soapy water before putting the medicine on.
Oral antibiotics.
Antibiotic pills for impetigo are needed when the infection is more widespread or when the cream isn't doing the job.
A doctor might give your child antibiotics like amoxicillin or clindamycin if there are lots of infected spots or if the infection seems to be spreading.
Most children show improvement within 48-72 hours of starting antibiotic treatment. The honey-colored crusts typically begin drying up and falling off, revealing the pink, healing skin underneath.
Preventing impetigo spread at home and school.
Impetigo prevention strategies focus on good hygiene practices and limiting transmission opportunities within households and school environments.
How to stop spreading impetigo.
The best way to stop impetigo from spreading is good handwashing and keeping things clean at home and school.
At home, focus on these simple steps:
- Wash your child's hands often with soap and warm water, especially after they touch the infected spots
- Keep their fingernails short and clean so they can't scratch and spread it
- Wash clothes, sheets, and towels in hot water every day while your child has the infection
- Don't let family members share towels, washcloths, or clothes
At school, you'll need to work with your child's teacher.
Most schools let kids come back 24 hours after they start taking medicine, as long as all the sores have bandages covering them. Keep those spots covered while your child is still contagious so they don't pass it to their friends.
Washing hands is still the best way to prevent impetigo in the first place and stop it from spreading to others.
Teach your child not to touch their face and to wash their hands right away after playing outside or touching things that might have germs on them.
Treating impetigo in kids at CityMD.
At CityMD, our doctors see and treat impetigo all the time. We'll give you a clear treatment plan and help you understand how to take care of this common skin infection at home.
We have locations all around your neighborhood, so you can get quality care when your child needs it.
If you spot any skin changes that might be impetigo, don't wait around. Getting treatment early stops it from spreading and helps your child feel better much faster. We're here to give you the right care, right when you need it, helping your family handle childhood health issues with confidence.
We’re ready to care for you.
Visit any CityMD urgent care location in your community today for an evaluation with one of our expert providers.