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impetigo scabs

most say to soften the scabs and remove.  then clean and put antibotic cream on.  if you don't treat under the scab, will it ever heAL?  
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ps, i have been picking the scabs every day till they are not thick any more.  
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Avatar universal
hello.  this all started in  feb.  i am on antibotics 500mg 4x a day for 20 days and cream.   been on medicine for 13 days, looks better, but i never pulled the "rim"  off.  now that i am, the sore turned flat instead of a hole  and big.  my guess is the bacteria spread under the skin.  however, one came up last nite it is a big bump,  2 little red dots in center, and clear around the dots, but a circle bruise outer. whole thing is 1"-1 1/2"   swollen. new diease?  or part of impetigo?  have a wonderful day!!!
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,

"Impetigo is an infection of the skin. Any wound that doesn't heal, or a wound that increases in size, usually has become infected.

The infected sores:

    * are less than 1 inch in diameter
    * start as small red bumps, which rapidly change to cloudy blisters, then pimples, and finally sores
    * are often covered by a soft, yellow-brown scab
    * may be draining pus.

Impetigo often spreads and the sores increase in number from scratching and picking at the initial sore."

"Before you first apply the antibiotic ointment, remove the scab. Apply the antibiotic ointment to the raw surface 3 times a day. You don't need a prescription for the ointment. Cover the sores with a Band-Aid to prevent scratching and spread. Apply the ointment for 7 days, or longer if necessary. The area should be washed off with an antibacterial soap each time before you apply the ointment. Any new crust that forms should not be removed because this delays healing.

The bacteria live underneath the soft scabs, and until these are removed, the antibiotic ointment has difficulty getting through to the bacteria to kill them. Soak the area for 15 to 20 minutes in warm soapy water. Use a liquid antibacterial soap. Then gently remove the crusts. The area may need to be gently rubbed, but it should not be scrubbed. A little bleeding is common if you remove all the crust.

Every time your child touches the impetigo and then scratches another part of the skin with that finger, he can start a new site of impetigo. To prevent this, encourage your child not to touch or pick at the sores. Keep his fingernails cut short, and wash his hands often with one of the antibacterial soaps. Cover the sores with a Band-Aid if they are not on the face.

Impetigo is quite contagious. Be certain that other people in the family do not use your child's towel or washcloth. It can also be spread by toys and athletic equipment your child handles. Your child should be kept out of school until he has been on treatment for 24 hours with oral antibiotics or 48 hours with antibiotic ointment alone. For mild impetigo treated with an antibiotic ointment, the child can continue to attend day care or school if the sore is covered with a Band-Aid."

Do kee us posted on your doubts and progress.
Regards
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1 Comments
Should you soak the scab in water more than Once? Or do you continue to do it everyday?
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