Nursery World - A unique child: Health - A doctor's diary ... Impetigo

'Doctor, my daughter has got something on her face. My friend thinks she has impetigo and suggested I see you as it's very infectious. Is that right?'

By and large, impetigo is a common and benign bacterial skin infection that affects children. Parents usually worry about it because of its unsightliness and perhaps more importantly, its potential for spread. Around 3 per cent of one- to four-year-olds will have an episode of impetigo in any given year in the UK. Infections tend to occur more frequently in the summer months when the skin often is not covered with clothing.

CAUSES

Impetigo is most commonly caused by either group A streptococci, Staphylococcus Aureus, or indeed a mixture of the two. Group A streptococci are responsible for bacterial tonsillitis and can cause many other infections including pneumonia. Staphylococcus Aureus is commonly responsible for cellulitis, another type of skin infection.

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