Clinical Portal 2026 Dr. Murali Gopal
Parent guide

Impetigo in Children

A practical guide to honey-crusted sores, spread, hygiene, school guidance, treatment principles, and warning signs.

Parent Guide Draft
Contagious skin infection Cover sores where possible Do not share towels Medical review helps
Indian child with mild impetigo being assessed in a calm clinical setting

Dr. Murali Gopal

Senior Paediatrician & Paediatric Pulmonologist
MCR: 57489
MBBS, DCH(UK), MRCPCH(UK), FRCPCH(UK), CCT Paediatrics (UK), Fellow in Paediatric Pulmonology (Aus), Allergology (Ind)
Last reviewed: 20 May 2026

Impetigo is common and treatable, but it spreads easily. Early medical review, good hand hygiene, covering sores where practical, and not sharing towels can reduce spread at home and school.

What is it?

Impetigo, sometimes called school sores, is a contagious bacterial skin infection. It is common in children and often starts where the skin has been scratched, irritated, or broken.

Medical review is usually needed because treatment may involve prescribed skin-applied or oral antibiotics depending on the child age, rash location, number of sores, and severity.

Symptoms and signs

  • Red sores, blisters, or wet-looking patches on the skin.
  • Oozing sores that form honey-coloured or golden crusts.
  • Common areas include around the nose, mouth, hands, arms, or legs.
  • Itch, mild pain, or irritation can lead to scratching and more spread.
  • There may be one small patch or many lesions.

How it spreads

  • Touching sores or blister fluid.
  • Scratching and then touching other skin areas.
  • Sharing towels, face cloths, clothing, bedding, or personal items.
  • Close skin contact at home, school, sports, or childcare.

Home management

  • Arrange medical review to confirm the diagnosis and treatment plan.
  • Wash hands often, especially after touching the rash or helping with dressings.
  • Keep nails short and discourage scratching.
  • Cover sores where practical with a clean dressing or clothing.
  • Wash towels, clothes, and bedding if soiled with fluid from the sores.
  • Use the prescribed treatment exactly as advised by the doctor.

What to avoid

  • Do not share towels, face cloths, clothing, razors, or personal items.
  • Do not start leftover antibiotics or use another child prescription.
  • Do not use steroid creams for suspected impetigo unless a doctor has advised them.
  • Do not pick crusts or pierce blisters.
  • Do not delay review if redness is spreading or the child is unwell.

School and daycare guidance

Follow local school or childcare policy. In general, children are often kept away until treatment has started and exposed sores can be covered, according to local guidance and doctor advice.

Important facts

  • Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection, not a sign of poor parenting.
  • Antibiotic treatment choices should be made by a clinician.
  • Scratching can spread infection to other body areas and other people.
  • Recurrent infections may need review for household spread, skin conditions, or other risk factors.

Red flags / when to seek medical care

Seek medical care promptly if your child has impetigo symptoms with any of these signs:
  • Fever, child unwell, or baby or very young child affected.
  • Rapidly spreading redness, swelling, increasing pain, pus, or worsening sores.
  • Redness around the eyes or rash near the eye.
  • Multiple, widespread, recurrent, or not improving lesions.
  • Child has a weak immune system or significant chronic illness.
  • You are worried or feel something is seriously wrong.

Medical disclaimer

General education only This guide is parent education only and does not replace medical consultation, diagnosis, wound assessment, antibiotic decisions, school exclusion advice, or individualized advice from a qualified healthcare professional. It does not provide antibiotic names or doses.

References

  1. RCH Kids Health Info. Impetigo. Accessed 20 May 2026.
  2. NHS. Impetigo. Accessed 20 May 2026.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Group A strep impetigo information. Accessed 20 May 2026.
  4. American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Skin infection guidance. Accessed 20 May 2026.

Last reviewed: 20 May 2026. Draft clinical content; clinician review recommended before distribution.

Medical review and references

Reviewed byDr. Murali Gopal

Last reviewed2026-06-06

Medical review statusClinician reviewed

ReferencesRCH Kids Health Info: Impetigo; NHS impetigo guidance; CDC impetigo group A strep information; American Academy of Pediatrics HealthyChildren skin infection guidance

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This parent guide is for general education only and does not replace consultation with your child’s paediatrician. Please seek medical care urgently if your child appears seriously unwell, has breathing difficulty, poor feeding, dehydration, altered responsiveness, or if you are worried.

© Dr. Murali Gopal | For Patient Education Only This educational material is intended for parent and patient education. Reproduction, redistribution, or modification without permission is not allowed.