Impetigo

Impetigo is a common superficial skin infection.  The schools would have you think that this stuff is the plague but the good news is, in reality, the disease is usually quite limited.  It results in a yellow-honey colored encrusted sore.  This sore is typically on the face near the nose but can be anywhere on the body.  These sores are contagious and can spread.  They are caused by staph or strep (the same strep that lives in your throat).  Usually the sores don't hurt.

We can treat them with prescription creams if the sores are small.  If they cover a huge portion of skin, like in my wrestler patients, we use oral medication for a couple of weeks.

Usually with proper treatment the sores heal without any complications.

I hope that this helps.

Kevin M. Windisch MD, FAAP
Sparks Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
(775) 359-7111
975 Roberta Lane, suite 101 B, Sparks, NV 89431
www.facebook.com/sparkspeds.nv