Impetigo is a common skin infection caused by a bacteria. Anyone can get impetigo, but it is most common among school-aged children. It may occur when an existing cut, scratch, insect bite or rash becomes infected. It may also start as a small blister that breaks open, leaving a raw spot on the skin. Yellowish fluid from the sore dries and forms thick, partly brown, partly honey coloured scabs.

Impetigo is contagious and can be spread from one area of skin to another by touching or scratching. It is very contagious form person to person. When someone in the household has impetigo, the infection can be passed to others by direct contact or on clothing, towels and bed linens that have touched the infected person's skin.

Impetigo is usually treated with antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. The antibiotics may be taken by mouth or applied in a cream that you put on the sores. It is important to follow the doctor's orders for taking medicine or applying the cream.

Wash areas of infected skin twice daily using an antiseptic soap. Wash the skin gently. If an area has scabs, soak them in warm soapy water. It is better to remove the scabs this way and then apply the cream or ointment. To keep from spreading impetigo to other parts of the body, cover the infected areas with gauze and tape.

• Keep the infected areas clean and dry.
• Try to keep children from scratching the infected area. Keep their hands clean and their fingernails clean and cut short. Socks on a very young child's hands may help prevent scratching.
• Wash your hands after touching your child's sores.
• Keep your child out of swimming pools and hot tubs until the treatment is finished.
• Use a clean towel each time you dry your child to keep from spreading sores to other parts of the body. Pat dry instead of wiping across the sores. If necessary, use paper towels instead of cloth ones.
• Do not share towels or facecloths between family members.
• Keep your child away from school, day care or other gatherings for 24 hours after the first treatment.
• If the sores do not improve after three days of treatment or a fever develops, see your doctor again.

For more information call your doctor or health region office.