Prescription treatment for impetigo

A clinician examines the sores and considers whether they are limited to a small area or spread across several regions. Impetigo may show weeping erosions that form a characteristic crust, though infected eczema and other rashes can resemble it. The location matters: skin near the eyes, mouth or other sensitive sites needs careful product selection. A history of allergies, recent antibiotics, recurrent infections or atopic dermatitis can also change the plan.

Follow the label and finish the prescribed course unless the prescriber tells you to stop. Clean the skin gently before a topical medicine, wash hands before and after application, and keep the area covered when practical. Take tablets exactly as directed and ask what to do if you vomit or miss a dose. Do not give the medicine to another person or keep it for a future rash. Read about antibiotic therapy for skin infection to understand the wider treatment approach.

Contact the prescriber if new lesions continue, pain or redness increases, or the skin is not settling as expected. Seek urgent help for facial or eye swelling, trouble breathing, severe weakness, fever with rapidly spreading redness, or a serious reaction such as widespread blistering. A rash that returns after treatment may need a fresh examination rather than another course chosen at home.

Ask what the medicine is targeting, how to apply or take it, which side effects matter, and when improvement should be reviewed. Confirm whether household contacts need precautions, how to handle towels and bedding, and whether an eczema treatment should continue separately.