NHS Choices Condition
Content supplied by NHS Choices
Impetigo can normally be successfully treated using antibiotic cream (topical antibiotics).
You should first wash any affected areas of skin with warm, soapy water before applying the cream. It is important that you then wash your hands immediately afterwards, or if available, use latex gloves when applying the cream.
The condition should normally respond to treatment within seven days. However, if the condition does not respond, or the impetigo is widespread and severe, antibiotic tablets (oral antibiotics) will be prescribed.
A seven day course of oral antibiotics is normally recommended. It is important that you/your child finish the course of antibiotics even if the symptoms clear up.
Side effects of oral antibiotics include:
- nausea,
- stomach aches,
- vomiting,
- diarrhoea, and,
- (in women) yeast infections, such as thrush.
The side effects should pass within a few days.
Your child should be able to return to school or nursery after 48 hours of antibiotic treatment, or when the sores have crusted and healed.
view information about Impetigo on www.nhs.co.uk »
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