Q: about infected bug bites and Impetigo - kind of long but I am really stressing out here.

DS got about 10 bug bites on the back of his calves by his ankle last weekend. He scratched them so much they b/c infected. Rather than just looking like regular bug bites they have a scab and look a little scaly like cuts. One of them had a tiny bit of liquid come out one time (that was it and never again) so I took him to the ped. Ped says it is Impetigo from the bug bites getting infected. I am putting a prescription ointment on him and if it doesn't go away or if more form he has to go on oral antibiotics per the ped. I asked the ped about contagiousness (especially b/c I am pregnant) and he said that yes, it is contagious but, made it sound like no big deal. He also said (after I asked him) that DS should not go in the pool until they are all scabbed up and closed. Of course, we have our only vacation of the summer starting tomorrow

So then when I got home I looked it up online and DS doesn't have any of the symptoms they are describing - he never had any blisters at all and the pictures I see look nothing like his legs. Also, they are making it out to be EXTREMELY contagious which is now freaking me out.

So - if you have dealt with this b/f - Does this sound right to you? And, how can I prevent it from spreading - can I give him regular baths (ped said yes but, i am afraid it will spread it? what is the diff. b/w this and the pool)? I am washing his stuff separate but should i clean out the washing machine afterwards? Also, how long did it take to go away with the ointment? Any advice or tips you may have would be greatly appreciated.

UGH, thank you in advance if you made it this far!

Message edited 8/7/2009 11:12:53 PM.

Re: Q: about infected bug bites and Impetigo - kind of long but I am really stressing out here.

No experience with this but the pool is likely so it does not spread to other people.

Re: Q: about infected bug bites and Impetigo - kind of long but I am really stressing out here.

Re: Q: about infected bug bites and Impetigo - kind of long but I am really stressing out here.

Jordan had impetigo on her face last year. I was told that it is the strep virus. My ped said it is contageous(sp?). It would be WAY too diluted to spread in a pool or bath. It is spread from direct contact, from what I was told. Like when you have a cold core. I really think you have nothing to worry about. I truly think the pool would help to dry it up, just be careful not to spread it when applying sunblock and drying him with the towel.

Re: Q: about infected bug bites and Impetigo - kind of long but I am really stressing out here.

Yes this happens to my son every summer. The ped never mentione impetigo but he gets mosquito bites that become the size of silver dollar pancakes!

Last year it happened right before Sesame Place ...it was on his leg and got infected. He was put on Altabax cream and oral antibiotic because it was an open wound. We kept it uncovered it all day. When it was time to get wet in Sesame we put a water proof bandage on it. Within 3-5 days it healed.

This year was horrific! He had one that became so inflamed it became a water blister. I have never seen anything so gross. Again antibiotics and an oral
steroid this time because his ankle swelled and became purple! Again is sesame we did the water bandage.

What I find helps...as soon as I see he gets bit I give him benadryl twice a day, ice the bite. Hydrocortisone cream helps the itching and if it swells we use the steroid.

We do not leave the house without bug spray even in the daytime. I forgot the other day and he got attacked again!

Hth!

Re: Q: about infected bug bites and Impetigo - kind of long but I am really stressing out here.

Thanks ladies! The ointment did the trick and they pretty much are healed now - so no oral antibiotics necessary! They basically look like dried up bites now and are almost gone! Thanks again!