Skin Infections / Impetigo
By Dr. Brown
Skin infections are common in children. They can also be a common complication of eczema and may need to be treated with antibiotics.
Bacterial Infections. Superficial bacterial infection is called Impetigo. If the skin is weeping, crusty and has a honey colored discharge this may be a bacterial infection of the skin that needs to be treated with medicine. We usually start with topical ointments like Polysporin, Neosporin or Bacitracin. Try four times a day for one week. If this is not helping in two days or so, we may need to try oral antibiotics. We do not generally jump to this choice because the medicines that are very effective by mouth are also very hard on the GI tract causing diarrhea and stomach cramps. Pus bumps, redness, swelling or fever are signs that you should call the office and schedule a sick visit.
Staph and Step skin infections are often treated easily with bleach baths. If there are multiple areas and the doctor has suggested a tub bath with bleach, put one cu; of bleach in a tub of bath. Bleach is slippery, so be very careful not to let your child slip. Put the water and the bleach in first, then the child for 3-5 minutes. Drain the tub and rinse the child well with water. When they step out of the tub if they have bleach on them it may bleach the rugs! For children with chronic and recurring staph infections, a weekly bath with this bleach is great to prevent recurrences.
Viral Infections. Sometimes a Herpes cold sore from the mouth will spread to other areas. We see this on the fingers with finger suckers. Molluscum contagiosum and plantar warts of the feet or hands are common too. Talk to the doctor to get more on these treatments.
Fungal Infections - especially diaper rashes. In children that are still in diapers, fungal diaper rashes can occur in the diaper area. These are generally pink becoming red quickly then red dots appear near the main reddened area. This is easily treated with over the counter medicines like Lotrimin AF four times a day for one week (ignore labeled directions on the tubes that usually say twice a day for one month). Try Vaseline on top of the Lotrimin AF to be a good barrier while the skin is healing. Continue this for one week. If the skin is not better in a day or two, however, call and get an appointment in the office.
Ringworm is another fungal infection that involves the skin. This usually appears as a red dot that begins to expand circumferentially, forming a "ring", usually with an elevated border. Ringworm is also treated with Lotrimin AF, as above.
We hope these suggestions help, but some children may also need the care of a pediatric dermatologist too.
Skin infections are common in children. They can also be a common complication of eczema and may need to be treated with antibiotics.
Bacterial Infections. Superficial bacterial infection is called Impetigo. If the skin is weeping, crusty and has a honey colored discharge this may be a bacterial infection of the skin that needs to be treated with medicine. We usually start with topical ointments like Polysporin, Neosporin or Bacitracin. Try four times a day for one week. If this is not helping in two days or so, we may need to try oral antibiotics. We do not generally jump to this choice because the medicines that are very effective by mouth are also very hard on the GI tract causing diarrhea and stomach cramps. Pus bumps, redness, swelling or fever are signs that you should call the office and schedule a sick visit.
Staph and Step skin infections are often treated easily with bleach baths. If there are multiple areas and the doctor has suggested a tub bath with bleach, put one cu; of bleach in a tub of bath. Bleach is slippery, so be very careful not to let your child slip. Put the water and the bleach in first, then the child for 3-5 minutes. Drain the tub and rinse the child well with water. When they step out of the tub if they have bleach on them it may bleach the rugs! For children with chronic and recurring staph infections, a weekly bath with this bleach is great to prevent recurrences.
Viral Infections. Sometimes a Herpes cold sore from the mouth will spread to other areas. We see this on the fingers with finger suckers. Molluscum contagiosum and plantar warts of the feet or hands are common too. Talk to the doctor to get more on these treatments.
Fungal Infections - especially diaper rashes. In children that are still in diapers, fungal diaper rashes can occur in the diaper area. These are generally pink becoming red quickly then red dots appear near the main reddened area. This is easily treated with over the counter medicines like Lotrimin AF four times a day for one week (ignore labeled directions on the tubes that usually say twice a day for one month). Try Vaseline on top of the Lotrimin AF to be a good barrier while the skin is healing. Continue this for one week. If the skin is not better in a day or two, however, call and get an appointment in the office.
Ringworm is another fungal infection that involves the skin. This usually appears as a red dot that begins to expand circumferentially, forming a "ring", usually with an elevated border. Ringworm is also treated with Lotrimin AF, as above.
We hope these suggestions help, but some children may also need the care of a pediatric dermatologist too.