For less severe impetigo, a healthcare provider may recommend a topical antibiotic. This medication generally comes in the form of a cream or ointment and is applied directly to the skin. Mupirocin ( Bactroban ®) is the antibiotic most often recommended. Other choices can include retapamulin ( Altabax ®) or tetracycline.
What is the treatment of choice for impetigo?
Topical antibiotic therapy is considered the treatment of choice for individuals with uncomplicated localized impetigo. Topical therapy eradicates isolated disease and limits the individual-to-individual spread. The topical agent is applied after removal of the infected crusts and debris with soap and water.
What bacteria causes impetigo?
Two Bacteria Can Cause Impetigo Impetigo is a skin infection caused by one or both of the following bacteria: group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. This page focuses on impetigo caused by group A Streptococcus, which are also called group A strep. In addition to impetigo, group A strep cause many different infections.
What is impetigo in children?
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.
Is mupirocin effective for impetigo?
Mupirocin applied topically has been shown to be effective for localized impetigo, but resistance has emerged. Retapamulin is a newer option.Bacitracin is no longer recommended as it is not as efficacious and causes frequent allergic skin reactions and occasional-to-rare anaphylaxis.
What topical antibiotic is used for impetigo?
Impetigo is treated with prescription mupirocin antibiotic ointment or cream applied directly to the sores two to three times a day for five to 10 days. Before applying the medicine, soak the area in warm water or apply a wet cloth compress for a few minutes.
Does topical clindamycin treat impetigo?
Other topical antibiotics have been reported to have some benefit for the treatment of impetigo. Clindamycin (cream, lotion, and foam) is useful in several MRSA infections. Gentamicin ointment or cream has been used in many countries for some gram-positive staphylococcal infections, including impetigo and pyoderma.
What cream kills impetigo?
Treatment of impetigo If you have impetigo in only a small area of your skin, topical antibiotics are the preferred treatment. Options include mupirocin cream or ointment (Bactroban or Centany) and retapamulin ointment (Altabax).
Can penicillin ointment be used for impetigo?
SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE Oral penicillin V, amoxicillin, topical bacitracin, and neomycin are not recommended for the treatment of impetigo. Topical disinfectants such as hydrogen peroxide should not be used in the treatment of impetigo.
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.
Is mupirocin good for impetigo?
Mupirocin topical cream is used to treat secondarily infected traumatic skin lesions due to specific bacteria. Mupirocin topical ointment is used to treat impetigo. This medicine works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth.
Which is better Neosporin or mupirocin?
Treatment with mupirocin also resulted in a higher overall bacteriologic cure rate (100% mupirocin versus 87% Neosporin, Table 1).
What is the best antibiotic ointment for skin infections?
While several topical antibiotic preparations can be used, such as bacitracin, triple antibiotic ointment (polymixin B, neomycin, bacitracin), or gentamicin, mupirocin (Bactroban, GlaxoSmithKline) is often recommended.
Is mupirocin the same as bacitracin?
Treats certain skin infections and kills bacteria in the nose. Compared to over-the-counter first aid topical antibiotics, Bactroban (mupirocin) can kill a larger variety of bacteria and is a good alternative if you're allergic to certain ingredients in OTC products.
Is fucidin good for impetigo?
Fusidic acid is prescribed for skin infections caused by germs called staphylococcal bacteria. Such infections include impetigo, infected cuts and grazes, and infected dermatitis. It works by stopping the growth of the germs causing the infection.
Does azithromycin treat impetigo?
If someone has a penicillin allergy, the treatment is usually with erythromycin (or other similar medicines such as clarithromycin [Biaxin] or azithromycin [Zithromax]). For some infections caused by resistant bacteria, clindamycin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) may be required.
Does Flucloxacillin treat impetigo?
An oral antibiotic (flucloxacillin) should be the first line treatment if a person has bullous impetigo or if they are systemically unwell or at risk of developing any complications, and is also an option for people with widespread non-bullous impetigo.
Why do doctors prescribe antibiotics for impetigo?
Doctors use antibiotics to treat impetigo and prevent rare, but serious long-term health problems. Antibiotics can also help protect others from getting sick.
What is the best treatment for 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.
What is impetigo scab?
Signs and Symptoms. Impetigo starts as a red, itchy sore. As it heals, a crusty, yellow or “honey-colored” scab forms over the sore. In general, impetigo is a mild infection that can occur anywhere on the body. It most often affects exposed skin, such as around the nose and mouth or on the arms or legs.
How to keep impetigo from spreading?
These items should not be shared with anyone else. After they have been washed, these items are safe for others to use. The best way to keep from getting or spreading group A strep is to wash your hands often .
What is the most common risk factor for impetigo?
Close contact or crowding: Close contact with another person with impetigo is the most common risk factor for illness. For example, if someone has impetigo, it often spreads to other people in their household. Infectious illnesses also tend to spread wherever large groups of people gather together.
How to prevent impetigo from scabies?
Common sense and good wound care are the best ways to prevent bacterial skin infections, including impetigo: Clean all minor cuts and injuries that break the skin (like blisters and scrapes) with soap and water.
Can scabies cause impetigo?
Infections or injuries that break the skin: People with scabies infection are at increased risk for impetigo. Participating in activities where cuts or scrapes are common (sports) can also increase someone’s risk of impetigo.
What is the best treatment for impetigo?
Topical antibiotics, systemic antibiotics, or a combination of both is effective therapy for impetigo. Empiric bacterial coverage is aimed at eradicating Staphylococcus aureus and group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS; also known as Streptococcus pyogenes ). Antihistamines may be prescribed for symptomatic relief in patients with pruritus.
What are the advantages of topical antibiotics?
The advantages of topical antibiotics include the following [ 55, 63] : Low risk of systemic adverse events and drug interactions. Higher concentration of the antibiotic when applied to the affected area. Smaller amount of drug is used. Lack of effect on intestinal florae.
What is retapamulin used for?
This agent inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the 50S subunit on the ribosome. It is indicated for impetigo caused by S aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes.
What is mupirocin made of?
Mupirocin is a naturally occurring antibiotic produced by fermentation of Pseudomonas fluorescens. The mechanism of action of mupirocin is via inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis. Retapamulin is a topical antibiotic available as a 1% ointment. It is the first of a new antibiotic class called pleuromutilins.
What is the best antibiotic for pyoderma?
Topical antibiotic treatment with mupirocin is the treatment of choice for uncomplicated localized pyoderma, although S aureus resistance to mupirocin has been increasing. Mupirocin is a naturally occurring antibiotic produced by fermentation of Pseudomonas fluorescens.
What is the best treatment for a staphylococcal infection?
For more severe infections, double the dose. Clindamycin (Cleocin) View full drug information. Clindamycin is a lincosamide used for the treatment of serious skin and soft tissue staphylococcal infections. It is also effective against aerobic and anaerobic streptococci (except enterococci).
What is dicloxacillin used for?
It is indicated for treatment of infections caused by penicillinase-producing staphylococci. This agent may be used to initiate therapy when staphylococcal infection is suspected.
Mechanism of action
Unlike other topical agents recommended for impetigo—such as mupirocin ointment and retapamulin ointment—ozenoxacin works by inhibiting bacterial DNA replication enzymes, DNA gyrase A, and topoisomerase IV, Sucher said, as well as having bactericidal activity.
Clinical trials
Approval of ozenoxacin cream was based on the results of two Phase III multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials that enrolled 877 participants aged 2 months and older with impetigo.
Administration
Ozenoxacin cream is administered as a thin layer applied to the affected area twice daily for 5 days. The treated area may be covered with a sterile bandage or gauze, Sucher said.