When you or your child gets impetigo, a common, contagious bacterial skin infection that causes red sores and honey-colored crusts. Also known as school sores, it spreads easily through touch and is most common in kids but can affect anyone. It’s not dangerous, but it’s annoying, it’s itchy, and if left untreated, it can get worse or spread to others. The good news? Impetigo treatment is usually simple and effective—if you know what to use and what to avoid.
Most cases are caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Strep, bacteria that enter through cuts, scrapes, or insect bites. Doctors often start with topical antibiotics, like mupirocin or retapamulin ointments. These work fast for small, localized outbreaks and have fewer side effects than pills. But if the infection is widespread or doesn’t respond to cream, you’ll need oral antibiotics, such as cephalexin or clindamycin. Skipping treatment isn’t an option—impetigo doesn’t just go away on its own, and it can lead to deeper skin infections or, rarely, kidney problems.
People often try home remedies—tea tree oil, honey, vinegar—but there’s little proof they work reliably. What does work? Keeping the area clean, gently washing off crusts with mild soap and water, and not scratching. Covering sores with gauze helps stop the spread. And yes, kids should stay home from school until 24 hours after starting antibiotics. You’ll find real-world advice here—not theory, not marketing. We’ve pulled together posts from doctors, pharmacists, and patients who’ve been through this. You’ll see what treatments actually cleared up impetigo fast, what didn’t work, and how to avoid mistakes that make it worse. No fluff. Just what you need to get back to normal.
Learn how to tell impetigo and cellulitis apart, what causes them, and which antibiotics actually work-based on current guidelines and real-world patterns in treatment.
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