An infection around the nose and mouth that looks like brown currants is called impetigo. This infectious condition is also called impetigo and is contagious to children. Usually, young children up to the age of 9 are infected with the condition. Anyone can be a carrier of impetigo, but that does not mean that everyone develops the condition. Once contracted, the condition is extremely contagious to other young children. What should you do to prevent infection of other children and what can you do to help the child recover?

Impetigo

• How does the condition develop?
• The causative agent and rapid spread are children
• What can you do yourself?
• Additional treatment for impetigo

How does the condition develop?

If the skin has a scratch, eczema or scratch, an infection may occur. The infection is accompanied by red spots and open sores from which yellow pus oozes. If there are a series of small wounds, these purulent wounds can spread because the infection is spreading. The resulting pus blisters may dry up more quickly by using zinc ointment, causing the yellow pus to form yellow scabs. The condition often occurs around the mouth, but can also occur in other parts of the body. Yet the condition is concentrated around the face. Because there are scabs in combination with wounds, the skin will contract and itch. In addition, the lymph nodes can swell due to the growing infection.

The causative agent and rapid spread are children

Impetigo is caused by the staphylococcus bacteria. Both children and adults carry these bacteria in the body as standard, for example in the nose. The bacteria is often transmitted to others via fingers and infected objects. Consider, for example, shared toys and an infection can therefore quickly be contracted at a preschool, childcare center, nursery school and extracurricular activities where children come together. The infection can continue to grow between children and on the child’s body until the blisters have dried. The condition occurs sporadically through transmission via airborne mucus, for example through spluttering and speaking with a lot of liquid.

What can you do yourself?

Of course, it is necessary not to let the source of the condition spread to others and other wounds. To this end, you should take the following aspects into account:

• ensure short nails and allow the child to wear finger socks if necessary. Hands should be washed regularly. Avoid scratching the blisters and scabs;
• the child should always use their own towel when showering, after which it should be washed immediately. Do this before someone else accidentally uses it;
• the skin can be washed gently, preferably with disinfectant soap. Be careful not to open any scabs or blisters;
• Clean the objects the child uses on a daily basis to avoid infecting others or reinfecting themselves. It is therefore necessary to introduce a cleanliness regime. If possible, try to explain the reason to the child.

Please inform the school management. The school management may prefer that you leave the child at home. Sometimes this is not necessary, as the children in the same class have probably already infected each other.

Additional treatment for impetigo

If blisters develop in the preliminary stages before they start to fester, you can treat them well with a zinc ointment. The fluid in the blisters is evaporated by the ointment. If the skin is already festering, careful cleaning of the affected skin is necessary. Make sure that the purulent fluid is not touched and spread to yourself and others. If a crust has already formed and dried, the risk of infection decreases. Then a cream is often used with fusidine as an ingredient and has an antibiotic effect. Usually the wounds and scabs will have largely disappeared after two weeks. Sometimes the impetigo condition can be combined with an increase in temperature and reduced resistance, causing the condition to persist and a course of antibiotics may be necessary.

read more

• Chickenpox: red skin spots and blisters in children