Impetigo in children is a common but highly contagious skin infection that many parents encounter in toddlers and school‑aged kids. Often called “school sores,” it usually appears as red, itchy sores or blisters that crust over with a distinctive honey‑colored cover.
While it is usually mild and treatable, understanding what it is, how it spreads, and when to seek medical care can help families manage it safely and reduce the risk to others.
What Is Impetigo in Children?
Impetigo in children is a superficial bacterial infection that affects the top layers of the skin. It is among the most common skin conditions in young children, especially those between 2 and 5 years old. The infection is highly contagious and can spread quickly in close‑contact environments such as homes, daycare centers, and elementary schools.
Because it often appears in groups at school or on organized sports teams, many communities refer to it as “school sores.” The two main types are non‑bullous and bullous impetigo.
Non‑bullous is more common and usually starts around the nose and mouth, while bullous impetigo tends to form larger, fragile blisters on the trunk or limbs. Both types are forms of impetigo in children contagious skin infection that respond well to early treatment.
What Causes Impetigo in Kids?
Impetigo is caused by bacteria that enter the skin through even the smallest breaks. The most common culprits are Staphylococcus aureus and Group A Streptococcus bacteria.
These organisms are frequently present on the skin or in the nose and throat of healthy people, but they can trigger infection when they gain access through a cut, scratch, insect bite, or irritated area such as eczema.
This explains why impetigo causes staph strep infection among children who may already have minor skin injuries or rashes. The bacteria multiply locally, leading to inflammation, blistering, and crusting.
In some cases, impetigo develops after a child has had another skin condition, such as chickenpox or poison ivy, which leaves many open areas for bacteria to invade.
How Contagious Is Impetigo in Children?
Impetigo is one of the most contagious skin infections in childhood. The infection spreads primarily through direct skin‑to‑skin contact or by touching contaminated objects such as towels, clothing, bedding, washcloths, or toys.
Because children often share items and play in close physical contact, the risk of transmission is high in daycare centers, playgrounds, and sports teams.
An infected child can pass the bacteria to siblings, caregivers, and classmates even before the sores appear clearly. The infection remains contagious until the sores are either healed or have been treated with appropriate therapy for at least 24–48 hours.
This is why many health guidelines recommend that children stay home from school or daycare until treatment has started and the lesions are covered or drying up.
Impetigo Symptoms: What to Look For
Recognizing impetigo in school sore symptoms helps parents seek prompt care and prevent wider spread. The infection often begins as small red spots or bumps that resemble insect bites or pimples. Within a day or two, these areas turn into blisters that may weep fluid and then form a characteristic yellow or honey‑colored crust.
Typical locations include the face (especially around the nose and mouth), hands, forearms, and sometimes the diaper area, according to Mayo Clinic.
The patches may be itchy or mildly painful, and children may scratch them, which can spread the infection to other parts of the body. In some cases, nearby lymph nodes may swell, and the child may feel slightly unwell, though high fever is uncommon with mild impetigo.
How Is Impetigo Diagnosed in Children?
In most cases, a pediatrician or dermatologist can diagnose impetigo by looking at the rash. The pattern of sores, their appearance, and the child’s age and history are usually enough to confirm the diagnosis without lab work.
If the rash looks atypical, is not improving with standard treatment, or keeps coming back, the doctor may take a skin swab to check which bacteria are present and to guide antibiotic choice.
It is important to distinguish impetigo from other skin conditions such as ringworm, eczema flare‑ups, or allergic rashes, all of which can look similar in the early stages. Accurate diagnosis ensures that the treatment plan matches the underlying cause and avoids unnecessary use of antibiotics.
Impetigo Treatment Options for Kids
Effective impetigo treatment antibiotics for kids depend on how widespread and severe the infection is.
For limited, localized patches, topical antibiotic creams or ointments—such as those containing mupirocin or fusidic acid—are usually applied directly to the affected areas several times a day for about 5–7 days. These treatments help clear the bacteria and promote healing.
When there are many sores, when the infection involves larger areas, or when the child has a fever or appears systemically unwell, the doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics. Common options include penicillin‑derived medicines or other antibiotics that are safe for children.
The child should complete the full course of treatment, even if the rash improves sooner, to reduce the risk of recurrence and prevent the bacteria from becoming resistant.
How Long Is Impetigo Contagious?
Impetigo remains contagious as long as the sores are wet, weeping, or not fully healed. Once appropriate impetigo treatment antibiotics for kids begin, most children are no longer contagious within 24–48 hours, especially if the lesions are kept covered and personal hygiene is maintained.
Clear guidelines from many health organizations state that children can usually return to school or daycare once they have been on antibiotics for at least one full day and the sores are beginning to dry or are covered.
However, each school or daycare may have slightly different policies, so it helps to check their rules before sending the child back. Parents should also continue covering fresh sores and practicing thorough handwashing for all family members until the infection has fully cleared.
Preventing Impetigo in Children
Prevention focuses on minimizing opportunities for bacteria to enter the skin and reducing direct transmission among children. Regular handwashing with soap and water is one of the most effective measures, especially after touching the face, after playing outdoors, and before meals.
Parents should also check for and treat minor cuts, scrapes, and insect bites promptly with gentle cleaning and appropriate antiseptic if needed.
For children with eczema or other chronic skin conditions, following a consistent skincare routine and using prescribed treatments can help keep the skin barrier intact and less vulnerable to infection, as per Cleveland Clinic.
At home, discourage sharing of towels, clothing, and personal items, and regularly clean frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, toys, and bathroom fixtures, especially during an outbreak.
When to Worry: Complications and Red Flags
Although impetigo is usually mild, complications can occur, especially if treatment is delayed or if the infection is left untreated. In some cases, the bacteria may spread deeper into the skin, causing cellulitis, or they may trigger a more serious systemic infection.
Rarely, strep‑related impetigo can lead to kidney‑related problems known as post‑streptococcal glomerulonephritis, which may appear weeks after the skin infection has healed.
Parents should seek urgent medical care if the child has severe pain around the sores, high fever, chills, or signs of confusion or lethargy.
Swelling, red streaks extending from the rash, or unusually warm, tender skin also warrant prompt evaluation. Early recognition of these red flags helps ensure that children receive the right level of care quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a child get impetigo more than once?
Yes. Because impetigo is caused by common bacteria that can recolonize the skin, children can get it again, especially if they have eczema, frequent skin injuries, or close contact with infected individuals.
2. Is impetigo safe to bathe in the same tub as a sibling?
It is best to avoid shared baths until the sores are healed or well covered. Use separate towels and washcloths, and keep lesions clean and covered to reduce the risk of spreading impetigo in children contagious skin infection.
3. Can over‑the‑counter creams clear up impetigo on their own?
Most over‑the‑counter creams are not strong enough to treat impetigo causes staph strep infection. Prescription topical or oral antibiotics are usually needed; using the wrong cream can delay proper treatment and increase spread.
4. How long do impetigo scars usually last?
Mild impetigo usually heals without scarring, though some dark spots may remain for a few weeks. Deep or untreated sores can leave temporary marks, but true scarring is uncommon with proper impetigo treatment antibiotics for kids and wound care.
