Most minor cases of impetigo can be managed at home with a combination of gentle wound care, over-the-counter antibiotic ointment, and consistent hygiene practices. Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection, most common in children, that produces crusty, honey-colored sores typically around the nose and mouth. It’s highly contagious, so home treatment isn’t just about healing the sores. It’s also about stopping the spread to other people and other parts of your own body.
Clean and Soak the Sores Daily
The crusty scabs that form over impetigo sores trap bacteria underneath, slowing healing and making any topical treatment less effective. Before applying anything to the skin, you need to gently remove those crusts. Soak a clean washcloth in warm water and hold it against the affected area for a few minutes to soften the crust. Then gently pat or wipe it away. Don’t scrub hard or pick at the scabs, which can spread bacteria to surrounding skin or push it deeper into the wound.
Do this two to three times a day, using a fresh washcloth each time. After cleaning, pat the area dry with a separate clean towel. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching the sores.
Over-the-Counter Antibiotic Ointment
For minor infections that haven’t spread to other areas, the Mayo Clinic notes that you can try treating the sores with an over-the-counter antibiotic cream or ointment. Products containing bacitracin or a triple-antibiotic combination (bacitracin, neomycin, polymyxin B) are widely available at pharmacies. Apply a thin layer to the cleaned sores two to three times daily, then cover with a light bandage or gauze to keep the area protected.
Keep in mind that OTC ointments work best on very small, localized patches of impetigo. Some strains of the bacteria that cause impetigo have developed resistance to certain antibiotics, so if sores aren’t improving after a few days of home treatment, that’s a sign you need a prescription-strength option. The standard prescription treatment is mupirocin ointment applied twice daily for five to ten days.
Preventing Spread Within Your Household
Impetigo spreads easily through direct contact with sores or through shared items like towels, clothes, and bedding. The CDC recommends washing all clothing, linens, and towels used by someone with impetigo every day. Don’t share these items with others in the household. Once they’ve been laundered, they’re safe for anyone to use. Use the hottest water setting the fabric allows and dry on high heat when possible.
Cover all open sores with bandages or gauze throughout the day. This is one of the most effective things you can do to prevent the infection from jumping to someone else or to a new spot on your own body. Frequent handwashing matters too, especially after touching the affected area or changing bandages. Keep fingernails short to reduce the chance of scratching sores and transferring bacteria.
Children with impetigo should avoid close contact with other kids until the sores have crusted over and begun healing, or until they’ve been on antibiotic treatment for at least 24 hours. Most schools and daycares follow this general guideline.
What About Honey and Natural Remedies?
You’ll find recommendations online for manuka honey, tea tree oil, and other natural antimicrobials. Lab studies have shown that honey does have measurable antibacterial activity against many skin-related bacteria, and some research suggests it can even work against antibiotic-resistant strains in a petri dish. However, the results in real-world use on human skin are far less convincing. Researchers have acknowledged that clinical evidence for honey as a standalone treatment for bacterial skin infections is still lacking.
If you want to use honey or diluted tea tree oil as a complementary measure alongside antibiotic treatment, it’s unlikely to cause harm on intact skin. But relying on natural remedies alone for impetigo carries real risk. The infection can spread, worsen, or lead to complications while you wait for something that may not work.
Signs That Home Treatment Isn’t Enough
Impetigo that stays small and localized is a reasonable candidate for home care. But several situations call for prescription antibiotics, either topical or oral. Watch for sores that are spreading to new areas, getting larger, or not improving after two to three days of OTC treatment. Fever, increasing redness or warmth around the sores, and swelling beyond the immediate area can signal that the infection is moving deeper into the skin.
A rare but serious complication of impetigo, particularly the type caused by streptococcal bacteria, is a kidney condition called post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. It can develop one to two weeks after the skin infection. Symptoms include dark reddish-brown urine, decreased urine output, swelling in the face (especially around the eyes), hands, and feet, and unusual fatigue. These symptoms need prompt medical attention.
Stopping Impetigo From Coming Back
Some people, especially children, get impetigo repeatedly. One common reason is that the bacteria live quietly inside the nose without causing symptoms there. From the nostrils, the bacteria spread to any small cut, scratch, or area of irritated skin on the face. The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends that people with frequently recurring impetigo get a nasal swab to check for this bacterial carriage. If positive, a short course of prescription nasal ointment combined with an antiseptic body wash can clear the bacteria from the body and break the cycle.
Beyond nasal decolonization, everyday habits make a difference. Keep skin moisturized to prevent the tiny cracks that let bacteria in. Treat eczema, insect bites, and minor cuts promptly so they don’t become entry points. Wash hands regularly, especially during cold and flu season when runny noses and frequent face-touching create ideal conditions for impetigo to take hold.