ABSTRACT
INVESTIGATIONS Bacterial swab should be taken from lesions to determine antibiotic sensitivities.
TREATMENT Treatment with a topical antibiotic such as mupirocin or fusidic acid is effective for localized impetigo, but fucidin-resistant staphylococci have become more frequent due to widespread use of this antibiotic. For more extensive lesions or if there is lymphadenopathy or reason to suspect nephritogenic streptococci, an oral antibiotic such as erythromycin or flucloxacillin should be prescribed. Topical antiseptics such as chlorhexidine or povidone iodine may be useful adjuncts.
