Sandbox/Alejandro

IMPETIGO

Medical Therapy

• The treatment of impetigo depends on the location and number of lesions. Antibiotic therapy could be administered topically or orally.

• Topical therapy is preferred for patients with small amount of lesions and without any bullae; but oral therapy is also accepted.

• Oral regimens are used for patients with several lesions and patients with bullous impetigo.

• Non-medical therapy involves washing the lesions and the rest of the body with soap and water, and letting the impetigo dry in the air.

• Hand-washing and daily bathing is considered a method to prevent impetigo in children.

• It is very important to remove the crusts before applying ointment, as the bacteria that cause the disease are located underneath them.

• The recommended duration of therapy is 7 days but will depend on the clinical response.

▸ Click on the following categories to expand treatment regimens.

Bullous Impetigo   ▸  Adults   ▸  Children Non-Bullous Impetigo   ▸  Adults   ▸  Children

Bullous Impetigo - Adults† Preferred Regimen ▸ Dicloxacillin 250 mg PO q6h OR ▸ Cephalexin 250 mg PO q6h Alternative Regimen ▸ Erythromycin‡ 250 mg PO q6h † Adapted from Guidelines for Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections CID 2005 ‡ Most S. aureus and Streptococci may be resistant against erythromycin Bullous Impetigo - Children† Preferred Regimen ▸ Dicloxacillin 12 mg/kg/day PO divided q6h OR ▸ Cephalexin 25 mg /kg/day PO divided q6h Alternative Regimen ▸ Erythromycin‡ 40 mg/ kg/day divided PO q6h † Adapted from Guidelines for Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections CID 2005 ‡ Most S. aureus and Streptococci may be resistant against erythromycin Non-Bullous Impetigo - Adults Topical Regimen ▸ Mupirocin 2% apply to lesions q8h x 7 days OR ▸Fusidic acid 2% apply to lesions q8h x 7 days OR ▸ Retapamulin 1% apply to lesions q12h x 5 days Preferred Oral Regimen ▸ Dicloxacillin 250 mg PO q6h OR ▸ Cephalexin 250 mg PO q6h Alternative Oral Regimen ▸ Erythromycin‡ 250 mg PO q6h † Adapted from Guidelines for Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections CID 2005 ‡ Most S. aureus and Streptococci may be resistant against erythromycin Non-Bullous Impetigo - Children† Topical Regimen ▸ Mupirocin 2% apply to lesions q8h x 7 days OR ▸Fusidic acid 2% apply to lesions q8h x 7 days OR ▸ Retapamulin 1% apply to lesions q12h x 5 days Preferred Oral Regimen ▸ Dicloxacillin 12 mg/kg/day PO divided q6h OR ▸ Cephalexin 25 mg /kg/day PO divided q6h Alternative Oral Regimen ▸ Erythromycin‡ 40 mg/ kg/day divided PO q6h † Adapted from Guidelines for Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections CID 2005 ‡ Most S. aureus and Streptococci may be resistant against erythromycin