I get recurrent impetigo outbreaks on my face. Will antibiotic cream help?

Question

Hello doctor,

I keep getting recurring impetigo outbreaks on my face. I have no idea how this keeps happening. Will change of place possibly related to my skin being extremely dry, but that cannot just be it. So I guess I am asking why does this keep happening? Can I stop impetigo from progressing the initial small blister stage if I immediately put an antibiotic ointment on it when I first see it pop up?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your case. First, you need to understand impetigo is a superficial cutaneous infection caused by staphylococcus or streptococcus. The bacteria enter into the skin when you contact any other infected products like bed linen or towel or from other persons or through cuts on the skin. Even insect bite can cause it. The problem with dry skin is that it has many cuts or fissures. Keep your skin well moisturized. Avoid contact with the above causative agents. Early application will help you in early recovery. On my end, I tried to convey that bacterial infections occur spontaneously, and you can take preventive measures by washing hands or beddings or avoiding contact. But there is no such oral or topical medicines which can prevent a recurrence. Moreover, only impetigo is not an indicator of an immunocompromised state. Even in decreased resistance or immunocompromised state, other infections are common and not impetigo only. Moreover, when there is a blister, it has to rupture and form crust. Crust shows that infections have recovered.