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Suggest Treatment For Impetigo On The Face

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Posted on Fri, 23 Dec 2016
Question: I had written several days ago about my husband who has a severe case of infitigo all over his face. He has been struggling with this condition for many years. Going to the doctors office , getting antibiotics and creams which in turn is just a bandaid till the next out break. He contracted infitigo from respirators in spray booths over 10 years ago and at recent just finished his second dose of Keflex last week. His doctor agrees the it is infitigo as well. Is there any other treatment such as possible laser or maybe continuously taking medicine .
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Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Impetigo antibiotics work temporary

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.

I have read your query, seen the photograph and can understand your problem.

Antibiotics in most infections (not just impetigo) give temporary relief until immunity takes over. It seems that your husband's immunity has gotten low. Repeated or prolonged antibiotics have their own disadvantages like resistant bacteria, bad side effects like colitis, etc.

It's clear that antibiotics are only providing him temporary relief. Prolonged antibiotics are not recommended. I reserve prolonged or stronger antibiotics for life-threatening infections.

Yes laser treatment is available for impetigo. But there are some reports that laser on face can itself cause skin infection.

In my opinion, following can be tried:
- consultation with plastic surgeon to check if debridement of the lesions can be done under his guidance. Antibiotics to be taken after doing culture and sensitivity. Antibiotics should not be taken repeatedly. In my experience, more medical treatment we do to facial skin, worse it can get. Facial skin is very sensitive and minimum intervention to be done.

- We need to boost his immunity by changing his lifestyle. Firstly cleaner hygienic home-made food and cleaner drinking water are a must. The triggering factor maybe some minor injury but infection is usually carried by blood. Thus drinking cleaner water helps a lot. Preferably water should come from reverse osmosis technique of filtration. Fruits and salad to be added. Regular exercise of atleast 20 min a day is needed. Leading a stress-free life by adopting stress reduction techniques like yoga are very helpful.

When immunity boosts with above measures, infections start clearing up by themselves.

Hope it helps.
Dr Vaishalee
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Vaishalee Punj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 3262 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Impetigo On The Face

Brief Answer: Impetigo antibiotics work temporary Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic. I have read your query, seen the photograph and can understand your problem. Antibiotics in most infections (not just impetigo) give temporary relief until immunity takes over. It seems that your husband's immunity has gotten low. Repeated or prolonged antibiotics have their own disadvantages like resistant bacteria, bad side effects like colitis, etc. It's clear that antibiotics are only providing him temporary relief. Prolonged antibiotics are not recommended. I reserve prolonged or stronger antibiotics for life-threatening infections. Yes laser treatment is available for impetigo. But there are some reports that laser on face can itself cause skin infection. In my opinion, following can be tried: - consultation with plastic surgeon to check if debridement of the lesions can be done under his guidance. Antibiotics to be taken after doing culture and sensitivity. Antibiotics should not be taken repeatedly. In my experience, more medical treatment we do to facial skin, worse it can get. Facial skin is very sensitive and minimum intervention to be done. - We need to boost his immunity by changing his lifestyle. Firstly cleaner hygienic home-made food and cleaner drinking water are a must. The triggering factor maybe some minor injury but infection is usually carried by blood. Thus drinking cleaner water helps a lot. Preferably water should come from reverse osmosis technique of filtration. Fruits and salad to be added. Regular exercise of atleast 20 min a day is needed. Leading a stress-free life by adopting stress reduction techniques like yoga are very helpful. When immunity boosts with above measures, infections start clearing up by themselves. Hope it helps. Dr Vaishalee