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By Mayo Clinic staffImpetigo treatment can speed healing of the sores, improve the skin's appearance and limit the spread of the infection. How impetigo is treated depends on several factors, including the type of impetigo and the severity of the infection. Treatments include:
- Hygienic measures. Sometimes your doctor may choose to treat minor cases of impetigo with only hygienic measures. Keeping the skin clean can help mild infections heal on their own.
- Topical antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe a prescription antibiotic that you apply to the affected areas (topical antibiotic), such as mupirocin ointment (Bactroban). Before applying the antibiotic, you need to gently remove any scabs so that the antibiotic can penetrate the sore.
- Oral antibiotics. Antibiotics you take by mouth (oral antibiotics) may be prescribed for widespread impetigo, ecthyma and severe cases of impetigo contagiosa. The specific antibiotic depends on the severity of the infection and any known allergies or medical conditions. Be sure to finish the entire course of medication even if the sores are healed. This helps prevent the infection from recurring and makes antibiotic resistance less likely.
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- Morelli JG. Cutaneous bacterial infections. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/103909824-3/743716949/1608/1552.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50666-6--cesec5_12130. Accessed Aug. 11, 2008.
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- Community-associated MRSA information for the public. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_public.html. Accessed Aug. 11, 2008
- Baddour LM, et al. Impetigo. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 11, 2008.