Ian's Impetigo

by Rosie Peters

Ian woke up one day with some blisters on his chin.

"Oh dear," said his Mummy. "What have we here?"

Ian pressed his freckled face to the mirror.

"I'm spotty," he said. "Colin Smith didn't go to school some days cos' he got spots."

"I wonder if you got them from him. Have you been playing with him?"

"We play together most break times," said Ian. "We play tig then sometimes when we go back in Miss Green lets us sit together for drawing. I was kind cos I let him share my crayons I did."

"Well Ian, it's a good job it's Sunday and no school because I'm not sure if your spots are catching or not. Do you feel ok? You look alright."

"I'm fine and I'm really hungry," said Ian jumping high on his bed. After breakfast Ian's Mummy helped him to wash.

"We must make sure no one else touches your face flannel or towel Ian in case your spot is catching. We don't want your sister getting it. Just to be sure, we'll put them well away from everyone else's."

The next day Ian got out of bed with a big leap, then caught sight of his face in the mirror. "Mummy!" he shouted, "Look what's happened. It looks like I've got a cornflake stuck on my face." The blisters had turned into a big yellow crust on Ian's chin.

"Come on love, don't cry. I'll take you to see Doctor Strong. He'll tell us what the matter is. I expect he'll give you some medicine or something to make it better." Ian brushed away a tear and smiled. He liked Doctor Strong.

Later that morning Ian let the doctor look at his yellow crusty spot.

"Well young man, I think you need some special cream for that spot," said Doctor Strong smiling. "Just try not to touch it and remember to keep your hands clean. He's got impetigo," said the doctor. "It's where a germ has got into the skin. It starts like a blister then it goes yellow and scabby. It's very contagious."

"Cajus. What's that?" asked Ian.

"It means it's catching. If anyone touches your spot they could get one, and then they might pass the germ on to someone else and they would get one," explained the nice doctor. "Only your Mum or Dad should touch the spot and then only to clean it and put the cream on. Is that ok with you Ian?"

"Ok," said Ian.

"If you're a clever chap and don't pick your spot you should be back at school by the end of the week." Ian nodded.

After Ian and his mummy had been to the pharmacy to collect the special cream they went home and Ian had a drink of his favourite fruit squash. Then his mummy got a bowl of soapy water and very gently washed the yellow spot. She dabbed it dry with a piece of kitchen paper and wiped on some of the special cream. Next she washed her hands very very well so that she wouldn't catch a germ and get a nasty spot like Ian's. Ian was a good boy and remembered not to touch his spot and sure enough in a few days it had completely vanished.

He was so pleased.