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 .
A comparison of sodium fusidate ointment and mupirocin ointment in superficial skin sepsis.
Sodium fusi date ointment and mupirocin ointment were compared in 354 patients with superficial skin sepsis . The ointments were applied 3-times daily , or once daily when covered by a dressing , and the response assessed after 6 to 8 days . Both preparations proved effective clinical ly with 86 % of patients responding . There was no difference between the two preparations in cases of primary infection ( 85 % to both ointments ) , including a sub-group with impetigo ( sodium fusi date 88 % and mupirocin 84 % ) , or secondary infection ( sodium fusi date 81 % and mupirocin 89 % ) . Sodium fusi date ointment ( 98 % ) was significantly better ( p less than 0.05 ) than mupirocin ( 82 % ) in patients with other superficial infections . Both ointments were equally effective in cases where Gram-positive , Gram-negative or mixed Gram-positive/Gram-negative bacteria were isolated . Adverse effects were reported in 1.0 % of patients using sodium fusi date ointment and in 7.4 % of patients using mupirocin ointment . The majority of complaints concerned the greasiness of mupirocin ointment
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 .