How to get rid of impetigo in 24 hours

Impetigo is an uncomfortable skin condition that causes sores and blisters, usually on the face, arms, and legs. It can develop when bacteria get into small cuts, eczema, or insect bites that break your skin.

Because impetigo is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are the main treatment method, often in a topical cream form. Some home remedies may also help soothe your symptoms while your medication gets to work.

No treatment method is guaranteed to clear impetigo in as little as 24 hours, but prompt medical treatment is the quickest way to get rid of the infection for good.

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How to get rid of impetigo

The first-line treatment for impetigo is antibiotics. For uncomplicated cases that don’t form blisters, known as nonbullous impetigo, topical cream antibiotics are usually sufficient. But if the impetigo is bullous (blistering), extensive, or affects large parts of the body, doctors might also prescribe oral tablets.

Before using an antibiotic cream, wash the area with water and remove any crusts. Some of the common topical antibiotics include:

• mupirocin (Centany)
• retapamulin (Altabax)
• fusidic acid

In more severe or widespread cases, doctors might prescribe oral antibiotics, such as:

• amoxicillin clavulanate (Augmentin)
• dicloxacillin
• cephalexin

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Are the treatments the same for children?

While impetigo can affect anyone, it’s most common in young children ages 2 to 5 years, so experts agree that it’s important that doctors prescribe antibiotics that are safe for use in children.

Mupirocin, for example, is approved for children older than 3 months. Altabax is safe for children older than 9 months. Regarding oral antibiotics, Augmentin is approved for children older than 3 months.

How quickly does impetigo treatment work?

The usual course of topical treatment for impetigo in children is 5 to 7 days. It should clear up within 10 days. It’s important to finish the course of antibiotics that the doctor prescribes, even if your symptoms go away within this time.

Without treatment, mild cases of impetigo may go away on their own, but it may last up to 4 weeks.

One of the main concerns with impetigo is that it can very easily transmit from person to person. With treatment, impetigo stops being transmissible within about 24 to 48 hours or when lesions have healed with no new ones appearing. This means your child can go back to school or you can return to work shortly after starting treatment.

Home remedies for impetigo

There are some home remedies that might help soothe your symptoms and aid treatment. While these shouldn’t replace antibiotic therapy, you can use them alongside medications.

According to some 2022 research, certain essential oil formulations mixed with aloe vera gel might be effective against nonbullous impetigo.

What’s more, a short 2023 review suggests that some herbal remedies might have antimicrobial, antibacterial, or wound-healing effects, which may help with bacterial infections like impetigo. These remedies include:

• banana peel
• lemon
• hibiscus
• datura metel

If you’re considering using any herbal remedies, discuss them with a doctor first. They will be able to tell you whether there are any risks or interactions with your current treatments.

How to prevent impetigo

Generally, the best way to prevent impetigo and stop it from returning is to practice good hygiene habits. Making sure you wash your hands is important, and washing clothing, linen, and towels of someone with impetigo can help prevent its transmission.

Make sure you keep small wounds clean and avoid scratching them to prevent any bacterial infections like impetigo. If you have an infection, try to cover any lesions to prevent it from spreading to other body parts or transmitting to other people.

Online care for impetigo

There’s no guaranteed way to get rid of impetigo in 24 hours. However, the quickest way to get rid of it is to speak with a doctor and receive antibiotic therapy. It’s also important to seek treatment to reduce the risk of transmitting the infection to others.

Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.

Summary

Impetigo is an uncomfortable bacterial skin infection. This means the main treatment for it is antibiotics to kill bacteria. Seeking prompt treatment is the quickest way to get rid of impetigo.

Doctors might prescribe topical or oral antibiotics. Topical ones are the most common and are best for uncomplicated, milder cases. A doctor may use oral antibiotics for blistering, widespread cases.

Once you start treatment for impetigo, it will stop being transmissible within about 48 hours and should clear up completely within about 10 days.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.