My Baby Has Impetigo
The short answer
Impetigo is a common bacterial skin infection in babies and young children, caused by staph or strep bacteria. It appears as red sores that quickly develop into honey-colored crusts, most often around the nose, mouth, and hands. While it looks unpleasant, impetigo is very treatable with antibiotic ointment or oral antibiotics and clears up within a week or two of starting treatment.
By Age
What to expect by age
Impetigo in young infants can occasionally present as a more serious bullous form, with larger blisters filled with clear or yellowish fluid. Newborns' skin is more vulnerable to bacterial infections, and any skin infection in this age group warrants a visit to the pediatrician. The bacteria can enter through tiny breaks in the skin, diaper rash, or eczema patches. Keep the affected area clean and avoid touching it without washing your hands.
As babies explore the world by putting everything in their mouths, impetigo often develops around the mouth, nose, and chin where drool and food create a moist environment that bacteria love. It typically starts as small red spots that quickly turn into blisters, which then burst and form characteristic honey-colored or golden crusts. Impetigo is very contagious, so wash your hands frequently and keep your baby's towels and bedding separate from other family members.
Toddlers are particularly prone to impetigo because minor cuts, scrapes, insect bites, and eczema patches provide entry points for bacteria, and they frequently touch their faces. Impetigo often spreads from one area to another on your child's body through scratching. Your pediatrician will likely prescribe a topical antibiotic ointment (such as mupirocin) for mild cases or an oral antibiotic for more widespread infection. Your child is usually no longer contagious after 24-48 hours of antibiotic treatment.
At this age, impetigo can spread easily in daycare and play group settings through direct contact or shared toys. If your child develops impetigo, keep them home from daycare until they have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours and the sores are no longer weeping. Gently clean the crusted areas with warm water and soap before applying prescription ointment. Impetigo rarely leaves scars, and recurrence is common but preventable with good hand hygiene.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- A few small sores around the nose or mouth with honey-colored crusts that are responding to prescribed antibiotic treatment
- Mild redness around the sores without significant swelling or pain
- The crusts gradually clearing and new skin appearing within 7-10 days of starting antibiotics
- The sores are spreading despite 2-3 days of topical antibiotic treatment
- New sores are appearing in areas away from the original patch
- Your baby has recurring episodes of impetigo
- The skin around the sores becomes deeply red, very swollen, warm, and painful, or your baby develops a fever, which could indicate the infection is spreading deeper into the skin (cellulitis)
- Your baby's urine becomes dark or cola-colored in the weeks following impetigo, which rarely can indicate post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, a kidney complication that needs immediate medical attention
Sources
Related Resources
Related Skin Concerns
Baby Acne (Neonatal Acne)
Baby acne is a very common, harmless condition that appears as small red or white bumps on your newborn's face, usually around 2-4 weeks of age. It is caused by maternal hormones still circulating in your baby's system and clears up on its own within a few weeks to months without any treatment.
Baby Blister on Lip from Nursing
A nursing blister (also called a suck callus) is a small, painless blister or thickened patch on your baby's upper lip caused by the friction of latching during breastfeeding or bottle feeding. It is completely harmless, does not hurt your baby, and does not need any treatment. These are very common in newborns and typically come and go in the early weeks.
Baby Chin Rash from Drooling
Drool rash is extremely common and appears as red, irritated, or slightly bumpy skin on the chin, cheeks, neck, and chest where drool sits. It is caused by the constant moisture and digestive enzymes in saliva irritating the skin. Keeping the area dry and applying a barrier like petroleum jelly before drool exposure is the most effective treatment.
Baby Dry Patches on Cheeks
Dry patches on your baby's cheeks are very common, especially during cold or dry weather. Baby skin is much thinner and more sensitive than adult skin and loses moisture easily. In most cases, regular application of a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer is all that is needed. If patches are red, rough, or itchy, mild eczema may be the cause.
Baby Ingrown Toenail
Ingrown toenails are fairly common in babies and toddlers, especially on the big toe. Baby toenails are soft and can easily curve into the surrounding skin. Most mild cases improve with warm soaks and gentle care. If the toe becomes very red, swollen, or shows signs of infection, your pediatrician can help with treatment.
Baby Nail Peeling or Splitting
Peeling or splitting nails in babies are very common and usually harmless. Baby nails are extremely thin and soft, making them prone to peeling, especially from normal wear and moisture exposure. This typically improves as your child grows and their nails become stronger. Keep nails trimmed short and moisturize the nail area gently.