What is the primary treatment for impetigo?

Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection, often caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. The primary treatment for impetigo involves the use of antibiotics, which can be administered either topically or orally depending on the extent and severity of the infection.

Topical antibiotics, such as mupirocin, are effective for localized cases of impetigo and are typically preferred for isolated lesions. In cases where the infection is more widespread or if the patient has multiple lesions, oral antibiotics like cephalexin may be indicated to ensure adequate penetration and systemic treatment of the bacteria.

The other types of treatments listed do not effectively treat impetigo. Topical antifungals are used for fungal infections and would not address the bacterial etiology of impetigo. Oral steroids are primarily used to reduce inflammation in autoimmune conditions, not to treat infections. Moisturizing creams might help with skin hydration but are not a therapeutic approach for combating bacterial infections like impetigo. Therefore, the use of either topical or oral antibiotics is the critical and appropriate action for effectively treating impetigo.