Q How should I care for impetigo at home during treatment? I'm not sure how to handle bathing or wound care.
A Do not touch the affected area with your hands, and if needed, wash it gently with a mild soap. Do not forcibly pick off the crusts, and use disposable gloves or a cotton swab when applying ointment to prevent self-infection. Keep towels and bedding separate for personal use.
Detailed Answer
Touching the affected area with the hands is the most common route of self-spread and infection of others, so always wash your hands with soap for at least 30 seconds before and after touching the skin. Forcibly picking off crusts can deepen the wound and spread bacteria, so gently wash with mild soap and lukewarm water and let the crusts fall off naturally. When applying antibiotic ointment, use disposable gloves or a cotton swab so bacteria do not get on your hands. Keep towels, bedding, and clothing separate for personal use and launder them daily, and it is best to disinfect shared items such as toys.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, we emphasize that handwashing and hygiene care of the affected area are as important as the treatment itself. While guiding the child not to touch the affected area, we also advise a cool, light diet and adequate fluid intake so that heat-toxin does not accumulate further internally.
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