The treatment of choice for impetigo in a child is oral penicillin therapy.
a) True _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Wrong answer ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ b) False _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Correct ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ Answer and Commentary _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Impetigo is the most common skin infection in children. Recent reports have shown that Staphylococcus aureus has become the predominant causative pathogen. In a recent study, 62% of skin cultures showed Staphylococcus aureus only. The majority of infections can be treated topically with 2% mupirocin ointment or 2% fusidic acid cream, as recent studies indicate they are as effective as oral antibiotics. They achieve high antibiotic concentrations quickly at the site of infection. They are easy to use and have minor side effects. If infection is widespread then systemic therapy is warranted. Cephalexin is the treatment of choice. Cephalexin is well-absorbed, has an acceptable taste and is much less expensive than flucloxacillin. ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯
