Impetigo

NHSL Antimicrobial Guidelines
NHS Lanarkshire

Impetigo

CKS: Impetiego

For extensive, severe, or bullous impetigo, use oral antibiotics. 

Reserve topical antibiotics for very localised lesions to reduce the risk of resistance.

Reserve mupirocin for MRSA.

Send wound swab if there is no response to initial treatment and seek advice.

Drug details

Drug

Oral Flucloxacillin

Duration

7 days

Drug

If Penicillin allergic:
Oral Clarithromycin

Duration

7 days

Drug

Topical Fusidic Acid

Dosage

TDS

Duration

5 days

Drug

MRSA only:
Mupirocin

Dosage

TDS

Duration

5 days

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 22/03/2021

Next review date: 22/03/2024

Author(s): NHS Lanarkshire Antimicrobial Management Committee, Dr Dundas, Dr Hylands, S McCormick.

Approved By: AMC; ADTC

Reviewer name(s): NHS Lanarkshire Antimicrobial Management Committee.