This review found limited high- quality evidence to inform the treatment of impetigo .
BACKGROUND Impetigo is a common clinical problem seen in general practice .
Uncertainty exists as to the most effective treatment , or indeed if treatment is necessary .
AIM To determine the most effective treatment for impetigo in a systemically well patient .
Topical antibiotics in the treatment of superficial skin infections in general practice--a comparison of mupirocin with sodium fusidate.
A total of 413 eligible patients took part in an observer-blind r and omised multicentre clinical trial in order to compare the clinical and bacteriological efficacy of mupirocin ( Bactroban ) ointment with sodium fusi date ( Fucidin ) ointment for treating  superficial skin infections seen in general practice .  Mupirocin was applied twice daily and sodium fusi date thrice daily for a period of 7 days . Both treatments were similarly effective with 97 % patients treated with mupirocin and 93 % patients treated with sodium fusi date responding . Mupirocin was significantly more effective in the treatment of acute primary skin infections and in the treatment of a subgroup of patients with impetigo ( P less than 0.01 ) . Of the organisms detected before treatment began , 93 % were not found after treatment with mupirocin compared with 89 % after treatment with sodium fusi date .  Staphylococcus aureus and /or beta-haemolytic streptococci appeared to be eliminated in significantly more patients treated with mupirocin ( 96 % ) compared with those treated with sodium fusi date ( 88 % ) , ( P = 0.03 ) . Both treatments were well tolerated
This review found limited high- quality evidence to inform the treatment of impetigo .
BACKGROUND Impetigo is a common clinical problem seen in general practice .
Uncertainty exists as to the most effective treatment , or indeed if treatment is necessary .
AIM To determine the most effective treatment for impetigo in a systemically well patient .