IMPETIGO TREATMENT FACTS
About impetigo treatment
We can prescribe Fucidin (fusidic acid) to help you clear up the infection.
How do impetigo treatments work?
Fusidic acid is a topical antibiotic that works by clearing up the bacteria that causes impetigo.
Fucidin (fusidic acid) is safe to use in pregnancy and during breast-feeding.
How do I apply impetigo treatments?
Fucidin comes as either an ointment or a cream and are used in the same way. It’s important that you wash your hands before and after applying the treatment.
Remove any crust from the area of skin infection by washing gently with soap and water. Apply a pea-sized amount in a thin layer to the area that’s infected. You can gradually build up to using more if you need to cover a larger area.
It’s important that you keep away from school or work until 48 hours after you start treatment. Once back at school/work, you should continue to apply the cream or ointment as prescribed.
What are the side effects of impetigo treatments?
Fusidic acid can occasionally cause irritation to the skin, itchiness or discomfort. If this occurs, you’re advised to stop using the treatment and contact the clinical team.
For full information of a medicine’s side effects and how to take it, it’s important to read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medicine.
How quickly do impetigo treatments work?
You should see some improvement in your symptoms within 48 hours of starting the treatment.
Important Safety Information
It’s important that you tell us which other medicines you’re taking — whether they’re prescription or medicines you’ve bought without a prescription. We need to know so that we only prescribe treatment if suitable for you.
Fucidin (fusidic acid) is safe to use in pregnancy and during breast-feeding.
What are my options if I don’t want treatment?
Impetigo infections will usually clear up on their own over a period of several weeks. If you decide that you don’t want treatment it’s very important that you avoid passing on the infection to others by washing your hands thoroughly and not sharing towels or creams with anyone. You should also avoid scratching or picking at the sores to allow them time to heal.
Page last reviewed by: Dr. Christina Hennessey 21/06/2021