Impetigo Treatment: What Works, What to Avoid, and How to Prevent Spread

When your skin breaks out in red sores that turn into honey-colored crusts, it’s often impetigo, a common, contagious bacterial skin infection caused mainly by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria. Also known as school sores, it’s not dangerous but spreads fast—especially among kids, athletes, and anyone in close contact. You don’t need to panic, but you do need to act. Left untreated, impetigo can linger for weeks, turn into deeper infections, or spread to others in your home or classroom.

Most cases are treated with topical antibiotics, like mupirocin or retapamulin ointments applied directly to the sores. These work fast if used early, often clearing up in 5–7 days. For worse cases or if the infection is widespread, doctors may prescribe oral antibiotics, such as cephalexin or clindamycin, taken by mouth. What doesn’t work? Over-the-counter antiseptics alone, or squeezing the sores—that only makes it worse. Keeping the area clean and covered helps stop the spread, but the real key is hygiene: wash hands often, don’t share towels or clothes, and cut fingernails short to avoid scratching.

Impetigo thrives in warm, humid places and on broken skin—so a cut, bug bite, or eczema flare-up can be its doorway. That’s why managing conditions like chronic eczema matters: a healthy skin barrier is your best defense. You’ll also find that many of the same principles that help with medication safety—like consistent routines, clear labeling, and avoiding cross-contamination—apply here too. Whether you’re treating a child or caring for someone in a senior home, knowing how to spot impetigo early and handle it right prevents bigger problems down the line.

Below, you’ll find real-world advice from people who’ve been there: how to tell if it’s impetigo or something else, which treatments actually clear it up without side effects, and how to keep it from coming back—or spreading to your whole family. No fluff. Just what works.