Impetigo treatment

1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and zip code to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Impetigo is typically treated with a topical antibiotic ointment or cream that you apply directly to the sores. You may need to soak the affected area in warm water or use wet compresses first to help remove the scabs and help the antibiotic penetrate the skin.

If more than a few sores form, oral antibiotic medications may be prescribed. Always finish the entire course of antibiotics, even if the lesions heal completely before the prescription is used up. It helps to prevent the infection from returning and makes developing antibiotic resistance less likely.

With proper treatment, impetigo usually heals in 7 to 10 days. If there is an underlying condition or skin disease, the infection may take longer to heal completely.

Health care providers conduct a visual examination of the infected area and assess the symptoms.

Prescription antibiotic medication is the primary treatment for impetigo. For minor, localized infections that have not spread to other areas, you can try treating with over-the-counter antibiotic creams or ointments that contain bacitracin. Placing a non-stick bandage over the area can help prevent the infection from spreading.

Impetigo is highly contagious. Impetigo can spread by touching infected skin or items that have been in contact with infected areas (such as clothing, towels, and bed linens). The symptoms can be itchy, so children can spread the infection by scratching and infecting other areas of their body. Keep fingernails short to minimize skin abrasion.

Keeping skin clean helps to prevent impetigo. Children must wash their hands thoroughly, and bathe or shower regularly. Pay particular attention to skin injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bug bites, areas of eczema and rashes. Clean and cover the affected areas with non-stick dressing and tape.

To prevent impetigo from spreading among family members:

• Avoid sharing personal items such as clothing, bedding, towels, soaps, and razors
• Collect the bed linens, towels, and clothing of anyone with an infection, and wash in hot water
• Keep the hard surfaces of your home and kitchen clean
• Wear gloves when applying antibiotic ointment and wash hands thoroughly afterward

MinuteClinic providers can discuss your symptoms and health history. They can examine you and prescribe medication if necessary. They can also create a personalized treatment plan.