How can I effectively educate parents about the management of common childhood skin infections, such as impetigo?

Educating parents about managing common childhood skin infections such as impetigo involves clear communication on recognising symptoms, infection control, and appropriate treatment.

• Explain the typical signs of bacterial skin infections, including weeping, pustules, crusts, and rapidly worsening skin lesions, so parents can identify impetigo early ¹.
• Advise on the importance of good hygiene practices, especially thorough handwashing with liquid soap and tepid running water, to prevent spread within the household and community ².
• Inform parents about when to seek medical advice, particularly if the infection worsens, does not respond to initial treatment, or if systemic symptoms like fever or malaise develop ¹.
• Provide guidance on the correct use of prescribed topical or systemic antibiotics, emphasising completing the full course to prevent resistance and recurrence ¹,².
• Advise parents to obtain new supplies of topical eczema medications after treatment for infected eczema to avoid contamination and reinfection, which is relevant if impetigo complicates eczema ¹.
• Encourage parents to keep children away from school or childcare settings during the infectious period to reduce transmission, following Public Health England guidance ².
• Use written materials and verbal explanations to reinforce messages about infection prevention, symptom recognition, and treatment adherence, and signpost to reliable resources such as NHS websites or community pharmacy services for additional support ².