NICE recommends antiseptics over antibiotics for impetigo

Impetigo is a condition that is usually treated with an antibiotic to help reduce the spread of infection and decrease recovery time. However, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Public Health England (PHE) have determined that a hydrogen peroxide 1% cream is as efficacious at treating nonbullous impetigo as a topical antibiotic.¹

With that knowledge in mind, NICE has issued a statement in which topical antiseptics should be offered to impetigo patients with localized, nonbullous impetigo if it is found the patient is not systemically unwell or at risk of developing complications.

The institute also advised that if antiseptic treatment is not suitable or a patient has widespread nonbullous impetigo, a topical antibiotic should be given instead. An oral antibiotic is also an option for people with widespread nonbullous impetigo and should be given first line if the person has bullous impetigo or if they are systemically unwell or at risk of developing any complications.

Reference:

Smith A. NICE recommends antiseptics over antibiotics for impetigo. PharmaTimes. Published August 23, 2019. Accessed October 27, 2021. http://www.pharmatimes.com/news/nice_recommend_antiseptics_over_antibiotics_for_impetigo_1298973