School is back in session, and for many parents, that raises an important skin care warning flag: impetigo. Impetigo is a highly-contagious skin infection that commonly affects young children, particularly those between the ages of two and six years old. It is caused by the presence of the Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria. It can be transmitted through direct contact with another child who has it.

This skin infection appears to be merely superficial at its initial stages. As such, often times, it is easily ignored. However, don’t be alarmed. The disease may be highly contagious but it is also easily treatable.

Impetigo - Is Your Child Vulnerable?

Children who are engaged in contact sports such as basketball, football, and wrestling are particularly susceptible to this skin disease. Even those past the ages of two to six years (the most common ages for contracting impetigo) can become afflicted due to the sports they participate in. It should also be noted that this skin disease, also known as school sores, is more common during the summer months than at any other time of the year.

In most cases, children who have been recently injured or who have had a bout with other kinds of skin problems also become more prone to getting [tag]impetigo[/tag]. Another name for this condition is school sores. Children, even adults, who have eczema or those who have come into contact with poison ivy should be careful that this does not progress into impetigo.

A Closer Look At Its Causes

This skin disease is caused by either one of two groups of bacteria - streptoccus or staphylococcus aureus. Streptoccus is also the same bacteria that causes strep throat. If the school sores are caused by this particular bacterium, tiny blisters will soon develop leaving patches of reddish looking skin. If it is caused by staphylococcus aureus, then larger blisters filled with fluid will form all over the skin.

This skin disease could also be caused by previous insect bites or even an allergy to certain kinds of soap and other cosmetic products. Individuals who have poor hygiene could also get this skin disease, particularly if there are open wounds or sores where bacteria could enter to infect the area.

Any kind of direct contact with a person who has the disease could transfer it to you or your child. Although there is an incubation period, normally from one to three days, the transmission of impetigo is relatively quick. If there is dried bacteria in the air which comes in contact with skin, there will be no transfer of the infection.

Keep in mind that even the smallest patches of infected school sores could result in permanent scarring if left untreated for too long.

So if you or your child has impetigo, make sure that there is NO SCRATCHING of the lesions. Scratching will cause the disease to spread throughout the body.

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