What should you know about cephalexin for impetigo?

Impetigo is a contagious infection that can cause blisters or shallow sores followed by yellow-brown crusting. Cephalexin is an oral antibiotic that may be selected when a clinician suspects bacteria susceptible to it, particularly when several areas are involved or local treatment is not enough. The same crusting can have other causes, so examination matters.

Atopic dermatitis can become secondarily infected when the skin barrier is damaged. That does not mean every crusted eczema flare is impetigo. Your clinician may consider the distribution, drainage, pain, fever, and exposure history before choosing treatment.

Take each dose as directed, finish the prescribed course unless your prescriber revises it, and never use someone else’s medicine. Gently clean affected skin, cover sores when practical, avoid scratching, and wash hands after contact. Do not share towels, bedding, razors, clothing, or cosmetics while sores are active; clean frequently touched items.

Arrange prompt medical review if sores spread, pain or swelling increases, fever develops, or there is drainage near the eye. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, collapse, blistering, or skin peeling after cephalexin. If the rash is unchanged or worsening during treatment, contact the prescriber for reassessment.

Ask whether oral or topical treatment is appropriate, how to reduce spread at home, when close contacts need advice, and which symptoms signal an allergy or treatment failure.