Infantigo

[TerriMadison]

What is the cause of infantigo? How long is it contagious? How long does it take the antibiotic to clear it up? My 11 month old grandson was diagnosed with infantigo. His mother took him to the Dr. and they told her it was an allergy, nothing they could do, just put vaseline on him. He has a blistering rash on his face, are you kidding me? I was furious, so I took him to the E.R. and he was diagnosed with infantigo. How can a D. not see that this is an infection, when I can see it? Can they get infantigo from mosquitoe bites?

[carolegif]

I haven't heard of infantigo, but I had impetigo once and it sounds similar.

[EvianBaby]

Do you mean impetigo?

[gingejbee]

Infantigo is more commonly called impetigo.

[welshlibranr]

sure it must be impetigo!.........not common these daya, but I remember my son having this, think it was after he had chicken pox!.......

[Canary42]

See

http://infantigo.blogspot.com/

[SMP]

I think you mean impetigo. It's highly infectious. When my grandson had it he was given antibiotics and cream. It should clear up pretty quickly with the meds. Just remember to wash hands regularly and wash bedding and towels on a hot wash and don't share towels etc.

[boxtops]

I think you mean impetigo. I had it when I was about three - the blisters were not nice and I was not not allowed to mix with other children while it was contagious. I don't remember any treatment other than Vaseline.

It's a bacterial infection, often spread by sneezing (see attached) and most common in small children. It's nothing to do with insect bites.

Your doctor got it wrong this once, but please realise that the GP may not be an expert in dermatology - i don't seek to excuse the misdiagnosis but this may not be your doctor's expert area.

Advise the family that the baby must have separate towels and flannels, and scrupulous handwashing is a must. It lasted a few weeks as I recall before mine cleared up completely - there was no lasting skin damage.

Are you in the US? I only ask because you mention ER - we call it A&E here in the UK.

[boxtops]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impetigo

[Sqad]

Infantigo and Impetigo are the same thing and you can use either nomenclature.

It is contagious as long as the rash is present.

Antibiotics will clear it up within 3or 4 days.

Extremely unlikely that it is caught by mosquito bites.

Medicine is all about opinions.....!

[flobadob]

You don't care that much, unless things got very serious.

[Sqad]

Boxy...smart of you to pick up the "E.R"......;-)

I have a certain amount of sympathy for TerriM

// realise that the GP may not be an expert in dermatology //

An 11 month old child comes with a "blistering rash on face".............now I was cr@p at skins....boring subject, but I think that a bacterial infection would be the first diagnosis (only diagnosis;-) ) to come to mind.

As you know, I have always been an advocate of a hospital based Health Service rather than a GP based Health Service and surely one doesn't need to be a Consultant in Dermatology to have a "stab" at impetigo as the diagnosis of a facial rash in a 11 month old.

[tinpotLizzie]

I can remember kids getting Impetigo when I was at school in Birmingham in the 1950's. In those days you got painted with gentian violet & had to keep well away from everyone - you can imagine what the poor sufferer went through, being treated like a pariah! Very catching & can spread easily by using towels, flannels etc. that the sufferer has used.

[DaisyNonna]

tinpot. Also went to school in Brum in the 50s. Where were you?