Impetigo in 9 Month Old

I second the suggestion to call a nurses line.

*My* understanding is that a person can often treat impetigo at home, using topical antibacterial cream, and keeping wounds clean and covered. However, if it does spread, or is a more serious infection, a oral antibiotic becomes necessarily. When my daughter had impetigo (staph or strep infection), she was prescribed an oral antibiotic. Also, I disinfected the entire house, especially the bathroom (which I disinfected after each shower). I kept her wounds very clean, put triple antibiotic cream on them, and covered each with a bandaid.

My daughter is 23 months and we are currently fighting an impetigo diaper rash too. I asked a question about it a few weeks ago if you want to check it out.

She has been on an antibiotic called Cephalexin (3 times a day) and was given a cream for the rash (2 times a day) called Bactroban. It went away, but is slowly coming back. I would get her to the doctor tomorrow like you plan before it gets hard to treat or gets worse. Also I was told by my daughters doctor that it can easily turn into a staph infection if not treated quickly.

Everything Ephie and ReverendRuby said, plus ask the nurse/doc how long does the other boy you babysit need to have treatment before he is no longer contagious, so you have something to tell his Mom, and so they don't keep passing it back and forth.

:)

I would call the doctor's number, in my area these numbers are monitored by a nurses 24 hrs/day, ask some questions. I remember getting impetigo as a child and that it is very contagious and can spread like fire. My parents got an ointment from the doctor and it cleared up. I would call today and ask if there is a OTC ointment that works and if you should be wearing gloves while changing her. You don't need to go to the ER, to me ERs are for life and death emergencies, this is not a life or death situation.