What is the first treatment tried for impetigo?

Impetigo is a contagious bacterial infection of the surface skin. It may produce blisters or sores that break and leave yellow-brown crusts. When the affected area is small and localised, topical antibiotic therapy can place medicine directly where the infection is present.

Antibiotic therapy for skin infection taken by mouth may be considered when lesions are numerous, spreading, recurrent, or difficult to treat locally. The treatment choice depends on the examination, the person's health, and whether another condition could look similar.

Keep sores clean and covered when practical, wash hands after touching the area, and avoid sharing towels, clothing, bedding, razors, or cosmetics. Keep fingernails short and discourage scratching, which can move bacteria to nearby skin.

Use the prescribed treatment for the instructed duration, even if the crusts start to improve. Do not apply leftover antibiotics or use someone else's medicine; the wrong product can irritate skin or delay the correct diagnosis.

Arrange medical review when sores are spreading, painful, near the eyes, or not settling with prescribed treatment. Seek prompt care for fever, marked swelling, rapidly worsening redness, severe tenderness, pus, or a child who seems unusually unwell.

Ask whether topical antibiotic therapy is enough, how to clean and cover the sores, when close contacts need advice, and what change would mean oral antibiotics or reassessment is needed.