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The goal is to cure the infection and relieve the symptoms.
A mild infection may be treated with a prescription antibacterial cream. More severe cases may require antibiotics, taken by mouth.
Wash (do not scrub) the skin several times a day, preferably with an antibacterial soap, to remove crusts and drainage.
The sores of impetigo heal slowly and seldom scar. The cure rate is extremely high, but the condition often comes back in young children.
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of impetigo.
Habif TP. Bacterial infections. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 9.
Pasternack MS, Swartz MN. Cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, and subcutaneous tissue infections. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 90.
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