Louise Witonsky wrote:
A child has been diagnosed with impetigo and prescribed with antibiotics. What exactly is impetigo? Can one get impetigo from playing in the soil? Most importantly, are there any other remedies besides antibiotics to cure it? Some over the counter or health food alternatives?

Dear Louise,
Impetigo is a bacterial infection caused by strept or staph and is very contagious. It usually occurs around the mouth or nose where skin irritation has already occurred. Over the counter antibiotic ointments will usually clear it up but sometimes oral antibiotics are needed. There is a post on this site titled Impetigo if you would like to read further.
Nurselady