Impetigo is a common, highly contagious skin infection that mostly affects infants and children. Typically impetigo appears on the face, especially around a child's nose and mouth. In most cases, the condition occurs when bacteria enter the skin through cuts or insect bites. However, those with perfectly healthy skin can also develop the infection.

Initially, Impetigo appears as a red sore that quickly bursts, oozes for a few days and then forms a yellowish-brown crust. Scratching or touching the sores is likely to spread the infection to other parts of the body as well as to other people.

Generally, impetigo is not serious. Minor infections may clear on their own in a few weeks.

Several types of impetigo exist; each has different signs & symptoms:

Impetigo Contagiosa – This is the most common form of impetigo. It typically begins as a red sore that may be itchy but not painful on a child's face, generally around the nose and mouth. The sore will then burst rather quickly. Fluid will then ooze and form a honey-colored crust. The crust will eventually disappear leaving a red mark that heals without scarring.

Bullous Impetigo – With this type of impetigo, infants and children under 2 years old are mainly affected. Painless, fluid-filled blisters with surrounding red skin may occur on the trunk, arms and legs. Eventually, the blisters, will break and scab over with a yellow-colored crust and may last longer than sores from other types of impetigo.

Ecthyma – This type of impetigo is more serious. In this cases, the infection penetrates deeper into the skin's second layer (dermis). Signs and symptoms include:

Painful fluid - or pus-filled sores that turn into deep ulcers, usually on the legs and feet

A hard, thick, gray-yellow crust covering the sores

Swollen lymph glands in the affected area

Scars that remain after the ulcers heal

Impetigo is caused by two types of bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (staph) and Streptococcus pyogenes (strep). Of the two, Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is most common and both types of bacteria can live harmlessly on a person’s skin until they cause an infection by entering through a cut or other wound.

Most cases of impetigo in adults are caused by an injury to the skin. In children, a cut, scrape or insect bite is usually the cause. But they can also develop impetigo without having any notable damage to the skin. This is known as primary impetigo. Impetigo that occurs after an injury to the skin's protective barrier is known as secondary impetigo.

The regimen outlined below includes some natural steps one can take to prevent & treat impetigo:

To avoid spreading infection, everyone in the household of the infected person must follow strict sanitary practices.

Supplementing with the following may also be beneficial:

Goldenseal (take as directed on label) - Dries up and speeds healing of impetigo sores.

Calendula (take as directed on label) - Soothes and disinfects the skin.

Grapefruit Seed Extract (take as directed on label) - Has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.

Tea Tree Oil (take as directed on label) - Has strong antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Garlic (take as directed on label) - Detoxifies the body.

Echinacea and Goldenseal (take as directed on label) - Used in combination, soothes mucus membranes.

* Important note: The recommended doses are for those over age 18. Always check herb and vitamin use with your child’s health care practitioner prior to administering them.