Impetigo FAQ

How can I prevent my children from getting impetigo?

Hygiene plays an important role. Proper hand washing, regular showers and bath can all help to reduce the chances of getting a bacterial infection like impetigo. Areas where the skin is broken are particularly vulnerable to infection. These areas should be bandaged properly to minimize the chance of infection.

My daughter has impetigo. Can I catch it from her?

Yes, impetigo is contagious. You can minimize the chance of catching it by practicing proper hygiene habits, and keeping your daughter's sores covered. Antibacterial soaps can also help to protect you to some extent. We also recommend that you use a separate towel for your daughter until the infection clears. Remember to wash the towels using hot water.

My child seems to have impetigo. Should I contact a doctor?

Yes, you should notify your doctor as soon as possible. Impetigo is rarely a serious infection, but must be treated using specific antibiotics. A prescription strength antibiotic is required to quell the infection, and in cases of more severe bullous impetigo, oral antibiotics may be required.

Should I be worried about scars? My daughter is only two years old.

Although the lesions that impetigo leaves when the infection is active can look ugly, they will not leave scars. The blisters and crusts are only on the surface level of the skin, and deeper layers need to be damaged before a scar occurs. Often traces of redness remain on the skin after healing, but this will fade within a few weeks.

I've been taking antibiotics for 4 days and the blisters are all gone. Do I need to continue? I've heard a lot of bad things about antibiotic resistance.

Yes, always finish your antibiotics for the prescribed duration. One of the main causes of antibiotic resistance is from patients failing to complete their prescription. Failing to finish the antibiotics can result in a deeper and far more serious infection.

What precautions should I take to not spread this to my family?

You can minimize the chances of spreading impetigo, but washing the infected areas regularly, and using antibiotic soaps. Covering the infected areas with gauzes or a plastic bandage will also help to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body accidentally. Until the infection is cleared, it is also recommended that you do not share towels or pieces of clothing with others.