Impetigo is a bacterial infection of the skin. It may be caused by either staph or strep bacteria. It is highly contagious and is most common among pre-school children. It is not serious but does requires antibiotic treatment.
Impetigo most often occurs on the face, around the nose and mouth. Skin which is already irritated by for example eczema, insect bites, or just a minor cut or scratch is more susceptible to becoming infected.
At the start of impetigo a small patch of skin may be irritated and inflamed. Small blisters then develop and these may rupture releasing a yellow fluid. A yellowish crust then forms. New blisters may appear around the original ones or on different parts of the body.
If your child has a sore (particularly on the face) which weeps and then crusts over without healing you should visit your GP.
The spread of impetigo generally occurs by direct contact but it may also be transmitted on items such as towels, face cloths, pillowcases, etc. A child with impetigo should therefore not share these items with other family members until the infection has been treated and cleared. Good hygiene (particularly hand washing) can help to prevent the spread of impetigo.