IMPETIGO

Exclude for 24 hours after treatment begins

PREVENTION:�

Good hygiene, air out room daily, clean surfaces and utensils

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A streptococcal or staphylococcal bacterial skin infection that can develop after an insect bite, cut, or other break in the skin

Commonly seen on the face but can develop in any skin injury, such as insect bite or cut

Signs and symptoms: Red, oosing rash covered by fin, honey-colored scab; pain and itching

Can spread to other parts of child's body if child scratches

Can spread to others in close contact by direct touching or touching a surface contaminated wit secretions

Requires topical antibiotic ointment

Infection more worrisome in infants than in older children

WHAT YOU CAN DO AS A CAREGIVER:

Notify parent

Discourage scratching

Trim fingernails

Do not permit sharing of towels or face cloths

Wear disposable goves while caring for infected skin to reduce chance of infection spreading to you and others

Wash hands thoroughly after removing gloves

Observe rash and note andy improvement or worsening

WHAT YOU CAN DO AS A PARENT:

Follow Caregivers recommendations

Call child's health care prover for antibiotic ointment recommendation

Remove scab by soaking before applying antibiotic ointment

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