What antibiotics are used to treat impetigo?
Oral antibiotic therapy can be used for impetigo with large bullae or when topical therapy is impractical. Amoxicillin/clavulanate, dicloxacillin, cephalexin, clindamycin, doxycycline, minocycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and macrolides are options, but penicillin is not.
What is best treatment for impetigo?
Impetigo is treated with antibiotics that are either rubbed onto the sores (topical antibiotics) or taken by mouth (oral antibiotics). A doctor might recommend a topical ointment, such as mupirocin or retapamulin, for only a few sores. Oral antibiotics can be used when there are more sores.
How do you get rid of impetigo fast?
Antibiotic creams are often used in order to make the symptoms go away faster and stop the infection from spreading. Antibiotic tablets may be used if the impetigo has spread over larger areas of skin. All antibiotic medications have to be prescribed by a doctor.
Do you need oral antibiotics for impetigo?
Most impetigo infections resolve without requiring antibiotics; however, to reduce the duration and spread of the disease, topical antibiotics are used. Oral antibiotics are generally reserved for patients with more severe or treatment-refractory infection (TABLES 2 and 3).
Can impetigo heal without antibiotics?
Untreated, impetigo often clears up on its own after a few days or weeks, Smith says. The key is to keep the infected area clean with soap and water and not to scratch it. The downside of not treating impetigo is that some people might develop more lesions that spread to other areas of their body.
How long does it take for antibiotics to clear up impetigo?
The sores should begin to heal within 2 to 5 days after you start using an antibiotic. If you are taking an oral antibiotic, the infection usually stops being contagious after 24 hours of treatment.
Is Vaseline good for impetigo?
Friedler recommends applying Vaseline, Bactroban (mupirocin), or Bacitracin to the bite or cut and then covering the area with a bandage to help promote healing. You also want to treat any underlying skin conditions — and quickly.
Can impetigo still spread while on antibiotics?
Treatment with antibiotics can limit the spread of impetigo to others. Keep children home from school or day care until they’re no longer contagious — usually 24 hours after beginning antibiotic treatment.
What is impetigo and how can it be treated?
Impetigo (im-peh-TIE-go) is a bacterial infection of the skin that is more common in young children than other ages. Doctors use antibiotics to treat impetigo and prevent rare, but serious long-term health problems. Antibiotics can also help protect others from getting sick.
Which medications are used in the treatment of impetigo?
Oral antibiotic therapy can be used for impetigo with large bullae or when topical therapy is impractical. Amoxicillin/clavulanate, dicloxacillin, cephalexin, clindamycin, doxycycline, minocycline,…
Are there alternative treatments for impetigo?
Antibiotic therapy for impetigo may be with a topical agent alone or a combination of systemic and topical agents. Gentle cleansing, removal of the honey-colored crusts of nonbullous impetigo using antibacterial soap and a washcloth, and frequent application of wet dressings to areas affected by lesions are recommended.
How are antibiotics used in the treatment of impetigo?
Antibiotics Treat Impetigo. Impetigo is treated with antibiotics that are either rubbed onto the sores (topical antibiotics) or taken by mouth (oral antibiotics). A doctor might recommend a topical ointment, such as mupirocin or retapamulin , for only a few sores. Oral antibiotics can be used when there are more sores. Serious Complications Are Very Rare