School sores (impetigo) are skin infections. They are often called 'school sores' because they are common in school-aged tamariki and spread easily.
School sores are caused by bacteria. The most common bacteria are Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. These bacteria can live on the skin, in the throat or nose, or on other parts of the body without causing a problem. But sometimes, they can start to cause an infection such as school sores.
School sores can happen even when you keep your child's skin clean. It is not a sign of poor parenting. School sores can happen on healthy skin, but they often happen when the skin has already been damaged by a scratch, bite or condition such as eczema or chickenpox.
School sores can be anywhere on the body. But they most often appear on exposed areas such as:
They may start as a blister or a group of blisters. The blister bursts leaving a patch of red, wet skin which weeps or oozes. The sore usually becomes coated with a light brown or yellowish crust. This makes it look like it has been covered with honey.
School sores can grow larger day by day. There can be small spots around the first sore, spreading outwards. School sores can be itchy.
School sores spread easily while they are weeping or oozing.
Infection can also easily spread to others by:
School sores spread easily while they are weeping or oozing. Usually, they stop spreading about one day after the start of antibiotic treatment, and healing has begun.
See your doctor as soon as you think your child has school sores.
With early treatment, school sores are not usually a serious infection. But untreated school sores can lead to serious illness.
Go back to a health professional if:
Sometimes, school sores can lead to other skin infections such as boils or cellulitis.
See the KidsHealth page on boils [1].
See the KidsHealth back on cellulitis [2].
Treatment depends on how far the school sores have spread and how bad the infection is. School sores should clear up in a few days with treatment, but your child may need treatment if the sores happen again.
Your child may get an antiseptic cream from the doctor to put on the sores.
Your child may get antibiotic medicine from your doctor. Your child may need both an antiseptic cream and antibiotics. It's important your child takes their antibiotics until they're finished. Don't stop the antibiotics early, even if the sores have cleared up.
Gently wash the sores with warm water and a soft cloth. Wash the sores until the crust comes off. Wash away the pus and blood.
Wash and dry hands thoroughly if you or your child touch the sores.
Try to prevent your child from scratching their sores as much as possible. Trimming your child's fingernails can help prevent damage and infection from scratching
Your child may need dressings to help their sores heal. A dressing may help prevent the infected fluid and crusts from spreading.
Keep your child home from school, kindergarten or daycare until one day after the start of treatment.
Your child should avoid swimming until all the sores have healed.
Washing your child's clothes, towels and bed linen separately may help. Wash them in hot water and dry them outside (or in a hot dryer).
The following may also reduce the risk of school sores:
Images of school sores on this page have been reproduced from the website of the New Zealand Dermatological Society [7].
This page last reviewed 30 October 2023.
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Links
[1] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/boils-children
[2] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/cellulitis
[3] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/how-stop-skin-infections
[4] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/skin-infections-what-do
[5] https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Impetigo_school_sores/
[6] https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/impetigo-school-sores
[7] https://dermnetnz.org/
[8] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F249%3Flanguage%3Dko