From the Guidelines
Impetigo is highly contagious and can be transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals or by touching contaminated objects, emphasizing the need for precautions such as regular handwashing and avoiding sharing personal items. The primary mode of transmission is through direct contact with the lesions or with items that have come into contact with the bacteria, such as towels or clothing 1. Prevention strategies include:
- Regular handwashing with soap and water
- Keeping fingernails short to prevent scratching and further spreading the infection
- Avoiding sharing personal items like towels, clothing, or utensils
- Promptly cleaning cuts or scrapes with soap and water to prevent bacterial colonization
Treatment for impetigo typically involves topical antibiotics for limited infections, with mupirocin (Bactroban) applied twice daily for 5 days being a recommended option 1. For more extensive cases, oral antibiotics such as cephalexin or dicloxacillin may be prescribed for 7-10 days. It's crucial for patients to avoid touching the sores, use separate towels and bedding, and stay home from school or work until 24-48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment to prevent spreading the infection to others. Decolonization strategies, including nasal decolonization with mupirocin and topical body decolonization regimens, may be considered in selected cases to prevent recurrent infections or ongoing transmission 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Transmission of Impetigo
- Impetigo is a highly contagious, superficial skin infection that can be transmitted through touch, as well as through contact with contaminated items or surfaces 2, 3, 4.
- The infection can spread from person to person, especially in areas with poor hygiene or in crowded living conditions.
Prevention Methods
- Good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and proper wound care, can help prevent the spread of impetigo 3, 4.
- Avoiding close contact with individuals who have impetigo and avoiding sharing personal items can also help prevent transmission.
- Keeping the affected area clean and covered can help prevent the spread of the infection to other parts of the body or to other people.
Treatment Methods
- Topical antibiotics, such as mupirocin and fusidic acid, are effective in treating impetigo and may be superior to oral antibiotics for limited disease 2, 5, 6.
- Oral antibiotics may be necessary for more extensive cases of impetigo or for individuals who are unable to use topical treatments.
- Natural therapies, such as tea tree oil and Manuka honey, have been anecdotally successful in treating impetigo, but lack sufficient evidence to recommend or dismiss them as treatment options 2.
Precautions
- Individuals with impetigo should avoid touching or scratching the affected area to prevent spreading the infection to other parts of the body or to other people.
- Good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing, should be followed to prevent the spread of the infection.
- Individuals with impetigo should avoid close contact with others, especially in areas with poor hygiene or in crowded living conditions, to prevent transmission.