Impetigo is a contagious skin infection that causes small, red pimples or fluid-filled blisters with crusty yellow scabs often occurring on the nose, arms, legs, or around the mouth. It is a common infection in young children. Rarely, complications can occur. 

Symptoms

Symptoms include itching and small, red sores that form oozy, sticky, yellow crusts. These are frequently found on the face or anywhere on the body where there is broken or damaged skin.

Exclusion

Child Care and School: If a child is diagnosed with impetigo by a healthcare provider, the child should be excluded from educational settings until treatment has started.

Food Service Worker: Food employees should be restricted if skin lesions or infected wounds that are open or draining are not covered with an impermeable barrier.

Prevention/Control

Lesions should be covered and treated with an antibiotic per the directions of a healthcare provider. Exercise frequently and thoroughly clean and sanitize surfaces, commonly touched items, and toys. Avoid sharing fabrics. Practice frequent and thorough hand washing.

Is it Reportable?

Daycare, School, and LTCF: If more than one unrelated case occurs, please contact NKY Health.

Parents/guardians: Inform your school/child care provider if your child has this illness.

Provider: No reporting requirement to NKY Health.