Skin
Medicines for Impetigo
A common and very contagious bacterial skin infection — most often in children — that causes weeping sores and golden-brown crusts, treated with antiseptic or antibiotic preparations and good hygiene to stop it spreading.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Impetigo?
Impetigo is a superficial bacterial infection of the skin, usually caused by common skin bacteria entering through a small break such as a cut, insect bite, graze or area of eczema. It typically begins as red sores or blisters, often around the nose and mouth, which quickly burst and dry into the characteristic golden-brown or honey-coloured crusts.
- How it is treated: Treatment depends on how widespread and severe the infection is.
- Self-care: Washing hands and affected areas regularly, avoiding scratching or touching the sores, not sharing towels, flannels or bedding, and keeping children off school or nursery until the sores have crusted over or they have been treated, all help the infection clear and stop it spreading.
- When to seek help: See your GP or pharmacist if you think you or your child has impetigo, especially if the sores are spreading, getting worse, very widespread, or keep coming back.
What it is
Impetigo is a superficial bacterial infection of the skin, usually caused by common skin bacteria entering through a small break such as a cut, insect bite, graze or area of eczema. It typically begins as red sores or blisters, often around the nose and mouth, which quickly burst and dry into the characteristic golden-brown or honey-coloured crusts. A blistering (bullous) form produces larger fluid-filled blisters. Impetigo is most common in young children and is highly contagious, spreading easily through direct contact and shared items like towels. It is usually not serious and often clears with treatment, but because it passes so readily between people, hygiene and keeping affected children away from school or nursery until it is no longer contagious are an important part of management.
How it is treated
Treatment depends on how widespread and severe the infection is. For localised, non-bullous impetigo, a topical antibiotic or antiseptic applied to the affected areas is usually the first step, along with measures to prevent spread. When impetigo is more widespread, the blistering (bullous) type, troublesome or not settling with topical treatment, an oral antibiotic is used — with a penicillin-type antibiotic such as flucloxacillin being a usual choice, and a macrolide used as an alternative for people who are allergic to penicillin. Alongside any treatment, good hygiene is central: washing affected areas gently, not touching or scratching the sores, and not sharing towels, flannels or bedding all help the skin heal and reduce the chance of passing it on.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Impetigo
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Impetigo
Impetigo can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Washing hands and affected areas regularly, avoiding scratching or touching the sores, not sharing towels, flannels or bedding, and keeping children off school or nursery until the sores have crusted over or they have been treated, all help the infection clear and stop it spreading.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See your GP or pharmacist if you think you or your child has impetigo, especially if the sores are spreading, getting worse, very widespread, or keep coming back. Seek more urgent advice if there are signs of a more serious infection — such as the surrounding skin becoming hot, painful and swollen, feeling generally unwell, or a high temperature.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Impetigo: frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for impetigo?
Localised impetigo is usually treated first with a topical antibiotic or antiseptic applied to the affected skin. When it is more widespread, blistering (bullous), troublesome or not settling, an oral antibiotic is used — a penicillin-type such as flucloxacillin is a usual choice, with a macrolide as an alternative for people allergic to penicillin. Good hygiene is an important part of treatment alongside any medicine.
Is impetigo contagious?
Yes, impetigo is very contagious. It spreads easily through direct contact with the sores and through shared items such as towels, flannels and bedding. This is why hygiene measures and keeping affected children away from others until they are no longer contagious are so important.
When can my child go back to school with impetigo?
Children should stay off school or nursery until the sores have dried and crusted over, or until they have had treatment for the recommended period and are no longer contagious. Ask your GP or pharmacist if you are unsure, as good hygiene in the meantime helps stop it spreading.
Will impetigo leave scars?
Impetigo affects only the surface of the skin, so it usually heals without scarring once treated, although the skin may look red or marked for a while afterwards. Avoiding scratching the sores helps the skin heal cleanly and reduces the chance of spreading the infection.
Keep reading
Related articles
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE NG153: Impetigo: antimicrobial prescribing.
- NICE CKS: Impetigo.
Related conditions
Browse by body system
Building a patient-information or formulary resource?
We create evidence-led, dose-free clinical references and decision aids for teams.