I have been seeing kids coming in with impetigo this week. Impetigo is a contagious skin infection that causes pustules that ooze, crust over and spread. It often starts around the nose and mouth and spreads. It is common in children and can be spread by close contact with an infected person. It can be spread to other parts of the body by scratching.
It is treated by antibiotics and a child is usually safe to go back to school after 24 hours of treatment.
You can help to prevent impetigo by encouraging your child to wash their hands often, keeping their fingernails short, discouraging scratching and avoiding contact with an infected person.
See WebMD for more info.

Come see me at the clinic if you are not feeling well or you need a check up. 
Call 327-6407 for an appointment or walk right in.
Love yourself, take care of your health!

This is one time of the year that eczema sufferers have flare ups. The cool weather dries the skin out and can bring out that fine scaly eczema rash. Bathe in warm, not hot, water and don't use a wash cloth. A cloth can be abrasive and irritate the skin. Use a gentle unscented soap (like the White Dove Unscented or Cetaphil cleanser). Pat the skin dry, don't rub. Use a thick moisturizer. You can also try baby oil, olive oil or Vaseline petroleum jelly. You have to experiment to find what works for you or your child, people are sensitive to different ingredients. What works for one person won't work for another. Crisco (yes, the white solid Crisco that you cook with) also works well as a moisturizer for babies with eczema, it's non-irritating and absorbs well.
Love yourself, take care of your health!