Impetigo is a highly contagious skin condition, and is the most common skin infection that affects children. It is caused by either the Staphylococcus aureus (staph) or Streptococcus pyogenes (strep) bacteria, and sometimes a combination of the two. Adults also get impetigo, frequently from contact with infected children.

The skin normally has many harmless types of bacteria living on it, known collectively as the skin flora. These bacteria live in the skin’s hair follicles and in sebaceous glands that moisten the skin. They also protect the body from more harmful bacteria. The skin itself also provides a major barrier to keep both the bacteria in the skin flora and other harmful organisms from entering the body. However, when there is a break in the skin (e.g., from a cut, bruise or other form of trauma), bacteria can enter the body and cause inflammation and infection. Other factors may also affect the skin flora and make it susceptible to infection, including high temperatures or humidity, pre-existing skin infections and prolonged use of antibiotics, which can lower a person’s ability to fight infection.

Each school district has different policies on students attending with a communicable illness. To learn more about impetigo, please read the info at the link below

http://skin.health.ivillage.com/skinrelatedinfections/impetigo.cfm

Impetigo is a highly contagious skin condition, and is the most common skin infection that affects children. It is caused by either the Staphylococcus aureus (staph) or Streptococcus pyogenes (strep) bacteria, and sometimes a combination of the two. Adults also get impetigo, frequently from contact with infected children.

The skin normally has many harmless types of bacteria living on it, known collectively as the skin flora. These bacteria live in the skin’s hair follicles and in sebaceous glands that moisten the skin. They also protect the body from more harmful bacteria. The skin itself also provides a major barrier to keep both the bacteria in the skin flora and other harmful organisms from entering the body. However, when there is a break in the skin (e.g., from a cut, bruise or other form of trauma), bacteria can enter the body and cause inflammation and infection. Other factors may also affect the skin flora and make it susceptible to infection, including high temperatures or humidity, pre-existing skin infections and prolonged use of antibiotics, which can lower a person’s ability to fight infection.

Each school district has different policies on students attending with a communicable illness. To learn more about impetigo, please read the info at the link below

http://skin.health.ivillage.com/skinrelatedinfections/impetigo.cfm