Impetigo · Yellow Crusts · Pyogenic Crusts· Impetigo

Impetigo is highly contagious, so attendance at school or daycare should be avoided while there is oozing. In traditional Korean medicine, it occurs when damp-heat accumulates while the skin's 'Wei Qi' (defensive energy) is weakened. Generally, contagiousness drops significantly once the oozing stops and scabs form and begin to dry, but the condition of the affected area must be checked before returning to group activities. Oriental medical treatment helps shorten the isolation period by clearing internal heat and quickly drying the exudate.

Antibiotics are effective at killing the bacteria causing current symptoms, but they do not improve the fundamental immune environment of the skin barrier. In particular, when damp-heat accumulates in the spleen and stomach due to overwork or stress, it creates a fertile ground for bacteria to proliferate. If it recurs frequently, you need oriental immune therapy that goes beyond killing bacteria to discharge internal toxins and restore the skin barrier, creating an 'environment where bacteria cannot survive.'

Since impetigo is a bacterial infection, applying a general hydrocolloid patch (such as DuoDerm) can create a sealed environment where bacteria multiply more rapidly, increasing the risk of worsening symptoms. Even if it is aesthetically inconvenient, it is more beneficial for recovery to use prescribed oriental external medicines or disinfectants and leave the area exposed. If absolutely necessary, lightly applying a breathable gauze is better.

If impetigo occurs as a secondary infection of an atopic lesion, the use of existing steroid ointments should be temporarily suspended. This is because steroids suppress the immune response, which can actually spread the bacterial infection. At this time, priority should be given to treatment that removes the damp-heat and toxins that cause 'Hwangsuchang' (impetigo). It is safe to resume atopy management after the oozing is controlled and the infection has subsided.

Forcibly removing scabs destroys the skin's protective barrier, leading to secondary infections or scarring. In oriental medicine, treatment focuses on increasing skin regeneration so that scabs can detach naturally. If the scab is too thick and pus has accumulated underneath, it should be removed through hygienic procedures at an oriental clinic. At home, the best approach is to keep the area clean and wait for it to dry naturally.

In oriental medicine, impetigo is called 'Hwangsuchang' and is viewed as a combination of internal damp-heat and external wind-toxin. Unlike the antibiotic approach that simply kills bacteria, we use herbal medicine tailored to the individual's constitution to purify the blood and enhance skin immunity. Additionally, acupuncture and oriental external agents are used together to quickly soothe itching and oozing. This is a fundamental approach that reduces concerns about antibiotic resistance and prevents recurrence.

Atopy and impetigo can look similar. While atopy is characterized by chronic itching, impetigo is a contagious disease caused by bacterial infection that produces yellow exudate or crusts. In particular, children with atopy often have a weakened skin barrier, making them prone to overlapping impetigo. Therefore, rather than mistaking it for simple eczema, it is important to carefully check for secondary infections and manage skin immunity simultaneously.

If blisters form around the lips or under the nose and yellow crusts appear, there is a high possibility of impetigo. It is mainly caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus infections and is highly contagious, meaning it can easily spread to other areas or siblings if touched. Caution is needed as forcibly removing scabs can cause irritation and leave scars. At the oriental clinic, we approach this by regulating internal damp-heat and supporting the skin's natural recovery power.