What is impetigo?
Also known as school sores or skin sores, impetigo is a highly contagious type of skin infection caused by the Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria. Impetigo is especially dangerous to newborn babies.
More common in the hotter months, the infection is easily spread and is characterised by inflamed blisters that pop, weep and form crusts.
The sores can appear anywhere on the body but most often near the mouth and nose or on the arms and legs. Children with a long-term skin condition, such as eczema, are also more likely to get impetigo. Other things that can lead to skin sores are insect bites, minor trauma and scabies.
How is impetigo treated?
Children should be isolated until 24 hours after treatment with antibiotic creams, syrups or tablets begins. Covering sores with a waterproof dressing or crepe bandage can deter scratching and prevent the further spread of infection to other parts of the body or other people. Infection can also be spread by touching contaminated clothing, towels and linen so these should be washed frequently.
What is scabies?
Scabies is a skin infestation caused by mites which burrow into the skin to lay their eggs. It leads to red bumps or blisters on the skin that are very itchy. If scratched, it can allow a strain of Streptococcus or Staphylococcus bacterium to cause infection. Untreated, that infection can lead to rheumatic fever and heart disease, kidney damage, bone and joint infections, or blood poisoning.
How is scabies treated?
Scabies is generally spread by physical contact and is diagnosed by a doctor or nurse. Treatment involves applying a cream to the entire body which is left on overnight and washed off the next morning. It is very important that all members of the household are treated at the same time to prevent further infestations.
Antibiotics may also be required if the scabies lesion has crusts or pus, as the itchy spots have developed into skin sores.
*See your GP if you suspect your child has impetigo or scabies.
Our research impact
Impact on Aboriginal communities
Almost half of all Aboriginal children in remote areas are affected by skin sores at any one time, with household overcrowding a major factor in its spread. It is estimated nearly 85 per cent of Aboriginal children are treated for impetigo before their first birthday.
Scabies is also endemic in some remote Aboriginal communities, with up to one-third of children affected. Not only itchy and uncomfortable for the child, skin infections can lead to life-threatening conditions such kidney disease, rheumatic heart disease, bone infections and blood poisoning.
With skin infections accounting for a big proportion of attendances at regional clinics, particularly in children under five years, The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers are looking for ways to tackle these high rates of impetigo and scabies.
These include investigating the effectiveness of treating skin sores with antibiotic capsules and syrup rather than painful penicillin injections and collaborating with health services in the Kimberley region to better recognise and treat skin infections.
