How do you treat impetigo on the face?

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 does impetigo look like on face?

Impetigo (im-puh-TIE-go) is a common and highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects infants and young children. It usually appears as reddish sores on the face, especially around the nose and mouth and on the hands and feet. Over about a week, the sores burst and develop honey-colored crusts.

How do I get rid of impetigo on my face fast?

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.

What causes impetigo on face in adults?

Impetigo is caused by bacteria. The most common is Staphylococcus aureus, also called staph. Streptococci bacteria can also cause impetigo. Many people have these kinds of bacteria on their body from time to time.

Do you need to see a doctor for impetigo?

If you and your parents think you have impetigo, you should see a doctor. A doctor usually can tell if you have impetigo by examining your skin. If you have mild impetigo, your doctor probably will prescribe an antibiotic ointment, which gets put right on your skin.

What is the best cream for 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).

What triggers impetigo?

Causes of impetigo Impetigo occurs when the skin becomes infected with bacteria, usually either Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. These bacteria can infect the skin in two ways: through a break in otherwise healthy skin, such as a cut, insect bite or other injury – this is known as primary impetigo.

How do you get impetigo on your face?

In most cases, impetigo occurs around the mouths, nose, eyes, and forehead, although it may also affect the neck, back, and other areas around the face. The causative bacteria infect the skin in two main ways: Through a break on the skin, which can be resulted from cuts, insect bites, and other skin injuries.

How does impetigo make you feel?

Most grown sufferers of non-blistering impetigo report overwhelming itchiness and weakness . The lymph nodes sometimes protrude as they become swollen. Impetigo can be mixed up with many other skin conditions, so seeing a healthcare professional is suggested to ensure a legitimate verdict.

Does impetigo heal on its own?

Impetigo is seldom serious since most sores heal on its own with just a couple of weeks. Treatments will depend on which type of bacteria is causing the impetigo and in order to determine this, the physician will take a swab over the area that is affected and have it sent to the laboratory.

Can impetigo kill you?

Considerations. Impetigo usually isn’t dangerous, but it can lead to rare and serious complications. These include kidney inflammation and ultimately kidney failure; an infection affecting the tissues underlying the skin, called cellulitis; or Methicillin -resistant Staphylococcus aureus , the infection known as MRSA ,…