Paediatricians in Málaga are seeing an increase in cases of impetigo, a mild but highly contagious skin infection that spreads with heat, bites, and contact in pools and camps.
Paediatric consultations in the province of Málaga are recording a rise in cases of impetigo, a bacterial skin infection that multiplies in warm months. This is confirmed by specialists consulted by Diario Sur, who point out that heat, humidity, and contact between children in pools and camps facilitate its spread.
Doctor José Enrique Sánchez Martínez, head of the Paediatrics Service at Vithas Málaga and Vithas Xanit Internacional, explains that it is a condition "mild but very contagious" that "should be recognised and treated promptly." It mainly affects children, who often become the epicentre of a chain of infections and reinfections that can end up affecting the whole family if not controlled.
"It is the most common bacterial skin infection in childhood, mainly caused by staphylococci and streptococci. It manifests with reddish spots that form blisters and yellowish crusts, of the characteristic honey colour, usually around the nose and mouth, on hands and legs; it is very contagious, although generally mild"
Pediatrician María González, from HM Hospitales Málaga, is emphatic: "Consultations for impetigo in summer increase significantly." She details that it is a superinfection of a bite or a wound by bacteria present on the skin. "Generally, younger children scratch indiscriminately at bites and wounds, and they themselves become superinfected. When you touch there, where the bacteria have already grown, and scratch somewhere else, a new lesion appears and it spreads," she clarifies.
Doctor Sánchez points out that, in the vast majority of cases, it heals without problems, although "rarely it can extend and lead to deeper skin infections such as cellulitis or ecthyma and, in rare cases, affect the kidney (glomerulonephritis). Therefore, we recommend treating it early and preventing the child from scratching the lesions."
Prevention involves simple hygiene measures: frequent hand washing, short and clean nails, and cleaning and covering small wounds and bites. Additionally, it is important not to share towels, sponges, or clothing. If a child is infected, it is advisable to keep them out of school, camp, or the pool for 24 to 48 hours after starting treatment, the specialist adds.
Doctor González warns that "this spreads a lot in pools, in ball parks, even at home, which is why it is more common in summer. It needs to be controlled, as it can sometimes cause significant lesions that spread very quickly."
Regarding treatment, the paediatrician from HM Hospitales Málaga indicates that if it is localized, it can be resolved with disinfection of the area and a topical antibiotic in ointment form, but when it spreads, oral antibiotics are often needed, and in more severe cases, hospitalisation and intravenous treatments, although this is very rare. Doctor Sánchez agrees that when there are few lesions, it is resolved with a cream antibiotic like mupirocin or fusidic acid, after gently cleaning the crusts; if they are very widespread or deep, the paediatrician may add an oral antibiotic. Improvement occurs within a few days with the appropriate treatment.
In the case of a bite, parents should try to prevent the child from scratching. "In the case of a bite, generally, nothing needs to be applied, or a specific ointment that usually contains antihistamine or a mild corticosteroid to reduce inflammation," advises González. If they have already scratched and a wound with yellowish liquid and crust appears, the recommendation is to wash with soap and water, apply an antiseptic spray like chlorhexidine, and monitor the evolution. If it worsens, go to the emergency room or the paediatrician in case antibiotics are needed.
Scratching acts as a megaphone for the infection, as it spreads lesions to other areas of the body and facilitates contagion to other children and family members. "This mainly happens in summer; for example, it stays on beach towels, and there are cases where it spreads from one sibling to another and from them to the parents: everything must be washed at high temperatures and towels should not be shared, as it is very contagious," the paediatrician highlights.
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