Son Diagnosed with Impetigo and I Have Questions

While I haven't had to deal with this, I found this one webmd:

After 3 days of treatment, you or your child should begin to get better. A child can usually return to school or daycare after 48 hours of treatment. If you apply the ointment or take the pills exactly as prescribed, most sores will be completely healed in 1 week.

I would assume that after 48 hours you should be ok to go to the store. I would just try and make sure he didn't touch his sores while out and don't let anyone get into close contact with him. Here is the link to webmd if you'd like to read the rest of the info.

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/impetigo-overview

Not sure where it is but Ds has it on his face. I put a bandaid on it and we did the usual. I was told you had it touch it for it to spread.

Impetigo is not that big a deal, thankfully. The first time my boys got it I FREAKED out too, but its not that bad. It usually takes 24-48 hours for the antibiotic to work and as soon as they are being treated, I would say they are fine. The doctor never told me to quarantine my kids, just to make sure that they washed their hands really well and often, especially if they touched the impetigo sites, I like to carry around a bottle of purelle to sanitize their little hands with. You were probably prescribed an antibiotic ointment like Bactroban, and this stuff works great and fast. It is contagious but only by contact, I would say 24 hours with antibiotic is plenty as long as it looks like it is healing at that point. The redness will be there for up to two weeks but once the open parts are dry and just red, you're good to go. Hope that helps!

S.

SAHM of 4 boys, ages 10, 9,, 6, and 2... and a big guy, he is usually the most work of all...lol.

it's only contagious on contact. So if you keep him and anyone else form touching the lesions, you should be fine. The fact that he does have it, does indicate a general weakness int he immune system and so I wouldn't go overboard with activity- but simple errands shouldn't be a big deal. That's my 2 cents anyway. I'm a chiropractor and I've also had impetigo before. Ina ddition to the cream you are most likely putting on the lesions, bump up his immune sytem too by limiting any refined sugars and give him some Vit. C too- just suggestions :)
EB

just keep the site covered and they will be fine..make sure you wash hands frequently. It goes away pretty quickly if I remember right with the medicine. Main thing is that it can be passed along with open skin(boo boos) on others....So keep the medicine on and the area covered and you should be able to take them with you wherever you need to go

impetigo is contagious only when the area is touched or the drainage on linens or clothes is touched. if ya touch ya wash. over the counter antibiotic ointment to the areas usually works in a couple of days. make sure you wash your hands after applying. check out this web page.
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_vir...

I seem to get impetigo twice a year - and no one in my family has ever had it. I wash my hands frequently, and I use hand sanitizer when it flares up. I don't think it's as contagious as the doctors make it sound.

Hi K., my son had impetigo when he was about 3-4 months old. I did not worry about it, we went camping with our church and I just made sure that I kept the medicine on it and washed my hands really good. ( you should tkae as long to wash them as to sing the ABC's) If they did not give you a topical medicine then get some bacitration type.(sp?) good luck!

I , myself had this when I was in 2nd grade--not fun!
My hubby is a Nurse Practioner and even though our children have not had this(yet?), we've discussed treatment. If the sores are open, they are contagious. I remember having a salve (from the Dr.) that I had to apply, when I had it--(possibly an antifungal type?)I would call & ask you primary care Dr./NP , if they suggest something-unless you have it already. I was not allowed to go back to school until my sores had "crusted over" and showed significant signs of healing. It is a viral thing(like a cold) and direct(and even indirect--like touching something after you have touched a sore) contact does spread it til it starts to heal.Do you have a neighbor that can come be at the house, so you could run(after bedtime?) or someone who would be willing to pick up "the essentials for you. My hubby was deployed a few years back,when our kids were 1 & 4. My heart goes out to you!!

My son had impetigo awhile ago but at the time I had two other children. When they are little they get everything but this (as contagious as it is) they didn't. So if it was me (again) I wouldn't be to worried about taking him out. Especially if you are already putting the cream on the sores. It's amazing how fast they clear up with it!

I am probably really late with this advise but I remember having impentago as a child and I had to stay home from school for three days and no one else in my house could use the same wash cloths or towels.I don't think you have to worry about going to the store because you can only get it if some one physically touched the open sores. and the medicine works really fast

Isolate your child's wash cloth and towels,from other family members.Your Doctor can give you a ointint to cure impetigo.

It really isn't that big of a deal. Where is it located on his body? If he is clothed and the sore is not exposed, there is no reason you can't leave him with someone, or take him with you. Of course he probably should not go to daycare for 48 hrs., but other than that relax!

Hi K.,
Not fun! We have been through impetigo a couple of times. The thing about it being contagious.. its not bad unless they touch it. If you can keep everyone away from it(the actual sores) then it shouldnt spread. Now you do need to make sure they dont touch other stuff that touches it as well while the sores are oozing. Cover his pillow with a towel every night and wash it first thing in the morning. If he has a favorite blanket that he sungles with.. that has to be hands off to everyone else or washed every day. Get some tea tree oil. Its amazing for killing things yet gentle enough to use on your skin I would put some in a little water bottle and delute it a bit then use that to spray him you ect after touching the sores. Theres another trick but Im not remembering it right now so I will have to get back to you. So really if you can make sure whom ever you have watch them while you run to the store knows all about it then you should be fine. Good luck! It may seem like it takes forever but it will pass. :)

My husband has had impetigo a couple of times. Yes it is contagious. Keeping it dry is the key. Always pat dry it and just try to keep his hands off of it. The only way it is contagious is if he touches it then someone or something else. It will go away in about 3-5 days just keep dry and its good to wash it just remember to pat dry not wipe.

Hi K., I have 3 children(adults now) and only one of them ever got impetigo.I can't remember what they gave us for medication, bu seems like there was a purple ointment. Anyway we were even on vacation at the beach once when he was diagnossed,so just be carefull about actual contact and was hands often.Depending where on the body it is ,keep it covered with clothes and don't worry too much about it. My other two children didn't get it and no one else in the family. Good luck, M.

Yes, impetigo is really contagious...but relax! As an RN, and mom of three, we've had this before. I don't know what your Dr. has told you about it...but here's what I know... When the scab is done oozing you should be OK. You can soak off the scab with a warm washcloth every day and apply an antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin - you honestly don't have to fill the Rx the Dr. gives you!) Make sure everyone in the house washes their hands very well, and don't share towels. Impetigo is spread through contact. As far as taking your child grocery shopping...feel free! Just don't let him run around and touch stuff- keep him in the cart.

Hi K.-My daughter caught impetigo right before Thanksgiving and I kept her out of school for 4 days. It is highly contagious while the bumps are out and weeping. I believe that if you are using the antibiotic cream on their skin you will need to give it at least 3 days before you will really see a difference. The schools don't want them to come back until the bumps are pretty much gone, but you know some people don't keep them out long enough. With my daughter I wanted to make sure no one was going to catch it from Her! Good luck to you.

From what I understand, you are highly contagious until the sores have dried up. They can still be spread if the scabs get rubbed off etc... Just a thought, check at the Health Food store for vitamin supplements appropriate for children. They can help speed the healing.

Usually they are good 24 hrs after you start their antibiotics. Verify with the Dr. Office

My son was just diagnosed with this last Wednesday and the doctor had him stay home from school on Thursday. Once they get the antibotics in them 3 or 4 times then you are o.k. Just make sure you wash your hands if you touch it and wash their clothes sperate for a couple of days. I also put a oil on called Melaluca and that helprd it heal faster.

A little about me: I have been remarried for 10 years and I am a stay at home mom with 4 boys 21,17,7, and 3 who has down syndrome.

If I remember right you have to touch the spot to catch it. I don't know that I would stay out of the stores. I would try not to let him touch it and touch the cart but that is all you can do.

go to Meijers, walgreens, buy a bottle of Tea tree Oil apply to affected area, do not get in eyes, at bedtime clean area again with soap and water, dry, put tea tree oil and a bandage apply to affected area , in the morning claen, dry, apply, repeat as need til gone!

You can cover the affected site with a bad aid and be just fine!

I'm assuming that they put your son on antibiotics. My son recently had this. I was told that once he had been on his medicine for 24 hours he could go back to day care. I saw an improvement in his condition pretty rapidly. Good luck!

Once they are on the antibotic and the antibiotic cream for 24hours they are ok as long as the imentigo isn't oozing.

Some stores (especially grocery) will allow you to order things online and they will deliver it to your door. I have many of my groceries and other supplies delivered every week. It's a lifesaver!

The best way to know for sure how long he is contagious is to call the local hospital and ask for the doctor on call. He should be able to answer your question.

As for the trip to the store, if you are really desperate for a few crucial items, call a friend or neighbor and have them pick the items up for you. You can have them leave the groceries on the front step if you (or they) are really nervous about spreading it.