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Treatments and drugs
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 the ointments mupirocin (Bactroban) or retapamulin (Altabax). 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.
References
- Skin infections. In: Habif TP. Habif: Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00018-3&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00018-3--s0060&uniq=213489709&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9. Accessed Aug. 10, 2010.
- Impetigo. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00018-4--s0510&uniq=213489709&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&sid=1035787662. Accessed Aug. 10, 2010.
- Browning J, et al. Cellulitis and Superficial Skin Infections. In: Long SS, et al., eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/213489709-18/1035787662/1679/76.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06687-0..50075-8--cesec3_1544. Accessed Aug. 10, 2010.
- Lio PA, et al. Topical Antibacterial Agents. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2009;23:945.
- Waggoner-Fountain LA. Child Care and Communicable Diseases. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. Accessed Aug. 10, 2010.
- Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 12, 2010.
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