What infection control measures should be advised to patients with impetigo to prevent spread?

Infection control measures for patients with impetigo to prevent its spread include:

• Advise patients not to attend school, childcare, work, or other settings until all lesions are healed, dry, and crusted over, or until 48 hours after starting treatment with hydrogen peroxide cream or antibiotics.
• Emphasize the importance of good personal hygiene, including thorough handwashing with liquid soap and tepid running water, especially after touching lesions, using the toilet, and before eating.
• Advise keeping lesions covered to reduce the risk of transmission to others and to other body areas.
• Recommend avoiding sharing towels, bedding, clothing, or personal items that may have come into contact with the infected skin.
• Ensure optimal treatment of any pre-existing skin conditions such as eczema, head lice, scabies, or insect bites to reduce susceptibility and spread.
• Food handlers must inform their employer immediately if they have impetigo or infected skin lesions, as they are legally required to avoid handling food until lesions are healed or appropriately treated.

These measures help reduce transmission of impetigo both to other parts of the body and to other people.

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