Dr. Abdulaziz AlRashed — Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetic & Laser
Impetigo Advice
A patient advice sheet — 8 practical points. Reviewed and updated by Dr. Abdulaziz AlRashed, July 2026.
Last reviewed: July 2026
The advice
- Impetigo is a highly contagious superficial bacterial skin infection, common in children, and clears completely with treatment — usually without a trace.
- Complete the prescribed antibiotic (cream or syrup) for the full course, even if it looks better early.
- Gently soak the yellow crusts with warm water and gauze to remove them before applying the cream.
- Trim the child's nails and stop them scratching or touching the spots — touching spreads it to other sites and other people.
- Give the child their own towel and items, wash your hands and theirs often, and wash their clothes, towels and bedding in hot water.
- Return to school or nursery 24 hours after starting the antibiotic, with exposed spots covered.
- Contact us for: fever, rapid spread, marked pain, or no improvement within 3 days.
- If impetigo keeps recurring in the family, we may look for a bacterial carriage source (often the nose) and treat it.
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