Why does my 6 yr old son have impetigo at least every few months? he has had it since he was a year old. currently we use fucidin to control it.

Colonization: His body may be colonized with staph aureus. Ask his doctor to perform a nasal swab culture to determine and then see a pediatric dermatologist in your area to discuss maintenance strategies to prevent recurrent infections.

Likely colonization: Impetigo is a bacterial infection of the skin, most often caused by staph aureus. This bacteri is sometimes colonized in the nostrils of those with chronic hay fever or sinusitis, and in patients with extensive eczema. Your doctor can take a swab bacterial culture of your son's nostrils. If positive, your doctor may prescribe a topical antibacterial medicine to reduce colonization.

Immune deficiency: There are various causes of recurrent skin infections. Some children with recurrent have an immune deficiency, although this is rare. Children with atopic dermatitis can have recurrent impetigo if their eczema is incompletely treated. The child or a household contact may have nasal colonization with staph aureus. Culturing the nose can be helpful in determining this colonization.