Q I'm a parent in Dongincheon, and my child has impetigo. When can they return to daycare or school?
A Once 24 to 48 hours have passed since starting antibiotic treatment, no new lesions are appearing, and the crusts begin to dry, your child can resume attending. Until the crusts have completely fallen off, it is recommended to cover the affected area with a dressing or long clothing when sending them.
Detailed Answer
Because impetigo is highly contagious, attendance at daycare or school should be avoided before treatment or in the early stages of treatment. In general, 24 to 48 hours after starting antibiotics the contagiousness drops significantly, and once no new lesions appear and the crusts begin to dry, your child can resume attending. However, if lesions still remain, it is best to completely cover them with a bandage or dressing and long sleeves and pants to prevent skin contact with other children. Some daycares or schools require a certificate of recovery, so check in advance.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, we believe that after the acute infection subsides with antibiotics and the crusts heal, restoring skin immunity and reinforcing the vital qi (jeong-gi) is key to preventing reinfection. Building up the child's resilience so they hold out even when classmates in the same environment get impetigo is a long-term preventive measure.
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