I is for Impetigo

I is for Impetigo /ɪmpɨˈtaɪɡoʊ/

 is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection most common among pre-school children.^[1]rugby, American football and wrestling are also susceptible, regardless of age. Impetigo is not as common in adults. The name derives from the Latin People who play close contact sports such as impetere ("assail"). It is also known as school sores

Picture it, back in the 80’s ……My sons were 3, 5 and 7. We were living in Arkansas; out in the woods .My dad had just bought the 4 of us bus tickets to come visit him in Boston.

Naturally this is when my kids come down with a nice disgusting case of impetigo. My middle son had so many gross sores on his legs; the doctor asked if he could take a photo of them for a text book. (Oh sure, could it be any more humiliating?)

My dad and his wife were the only “normal” people in our entire world. No way was I going to show up with my 3 scab infested children and announce “Hey, we brought you a nice infectious skin condition, cuz we white trash like that.”

The bus trip is a story in itself, saved for another day.

We spent nearly a week in Boston, with kids covered in Band-Aids, the worst of their scabbiness hidden by clothing. Until that fateful night my dad insists that I sit and visit, he’ll help the kids with their bath. There’s no way to hide the fact that something isn’t right ,when a kid has 50 or 60 band aids on his legs. I had to fess up.

It could have been worse, like when they had chicken pox and lice at the same time.

Count your blessings people :)