HealthInfo Aoraki South Canterbury
Impetigo (school sores)
Pokenga kiri ā-kura
Impetigo (also called school sores) is a common skin infection. Two types of bacteria (germ) can cause impetigo, Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus.
Impetigo mostly affects tamariki (children), but it can affect people of any age. Impetigo is passed on by skin-to-skin contact such as touching, so it spreads very easily.
The symptoms of Impetigo are red sores or blisters. These burst to leave crusty, golden-brown patches. The sores can be itchy. The sores mostly affect the face and hands, but they can appear on other parts of the body.
Go to DermNet to see more pictures of impetigo.
Impetigo needs treating to prevent complications and to stop the infection spreading.
Treating impetigo
You should see your general practice team if you think you or your tamaiti (child) has impetigo.
Clean the sores with warm water and a soft cloth to gently remove the crusts.
Apply antiseptic cream 2 to 3 times a day for 5 days. Examples include povidone-iodine, hydrogen peroxide 1% cream and chlorhexidine.
Cover the sores if possible.
If the impetigo is more severe or widespread, your health provider may recommend treating it with oral antibiotics.
If the infection is not improving or comes back, you should go back to your general practice team.
Avoiding spreading impetigo
Wash your hands and your child's hands often.
Keep their fingernails short to stop them scratching.
You should not share towels and flannels until the infection has gone.
Tamariki and adults should stay away from school or work until 24 hours after starting treatment or as your general practice team advises.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Community and Public Health – How to wash your hands
Poster with photos showing the correct hand-washing technique.
- KidsHealth – How to treat & when to seek help for school sores
Information about impetigo in children, including photographs and links to more information.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed May 2025.
SourcesReview key: HISNI-49791
