Treating persistent Impetigo/Ecthyma that just can't get stamped-out

I have a serious Impetigo/Ecthyma infection that I just can't seem to stamp-out: Whenever I kill-off an infection site, new infections just pop-up around it, and it has basically been working its way down around my forehead/face.

Before this outbreak, it was isolated to a single ulcer on my forehead for a few months (I didn't know what it was at the time). Eventually I attempted to get it diagnosed & treated - and when I did, it turned into a horrible game of Impetigo whack-a-mole.


Here's a rough timeline of what has happened so far:


On my first doctor's visit, I was prescribed Keflex/Cephalexin (an oral medication) which I had to take four times a day, and to also apply Polysporin (topical medication) on it daily. I did this for about 10 days, and it wasn't helping, so I returned, and my doctor assured me that my Impetigo was cured and I just needed to wait for the blisters/ulcers to heal. Though, he did give me an extension for my Keflex subscription anyway.

Two weeks later, I returned again. This time I was prescribed Minocycline (oral; once a day) and Fucidin cream (topical). After ten days of trying this, it didn't seem to be helping either.


And besides taking the medication my doctor has recommended, I have been:

Applying Hydrogen Peroxide, rubbing alcohol, Tea-Tree Oil, and Betadine on it multiple times a day; showering every day, and also changing my clothing and pillow/bed sheets constantly; making sure to NEVER touch or scratch the infections; and applying warm-compresses using a cloth soaked in vinegar a few times a day (to prevent bacterial growth and remove the crusts).


Nothing seems to be working, and it is now spreading to other parts of my body. And as I said, I can kill-off any of the large or growing infection sites, but new ones keep on appearing around it - and I just can't stamp it out.

Never in my life have I had to deal with something this persistent!

I would appreciate any advice I can get, and hope I have explained my situation thoroughly. Thank you.

[Mirrion]

Alright, so I just came back from my fourth doctor's visit. And the doctor, this time, was the first to explain to me that using Hydrogen Peroxide and Betadine is a very, very bad idea when attempting to cure Impetigo, as it doesn't discriminate between what it kills - which allows the Impetigo to grow back even seemingly eliminating it.

I will only be using Fucidin cream and Keflex from now on, and will see how that goes.

Any advice, again, is still welcome!

Thanks.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I agree with your doctor that there should be judicious use of these antiseptics but if you get the sores again then before starting any other antibiotics, get a bacterial culture after swab sample of the sores done. Also get a viral culture and detection of viral antibodies in the blood as any viral infection causing sores also need to be ruled out. Also a skin biopsy can be done to confirm the diagnosis as most skin diseases can be confirmed in diagnosis by skin biopsy.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[Anastasia888]

,Hi Mirrion,

I certainly feel for  you as I myself have been diagnosed with impetigo. I fell off my kyack in water with a lot of algae and got some cuts as i was dragged by the kyack over rocks. It started between my legs and moved to my stomach, navel area to six inches wide all around plus it is now below my knees and on my arms. I am seeing one hand with some as well. I was first put on cipro and beta cream then was given a second amox clav with kenacomb cream. The big site on my stomach(which looks like a huge red birth mark) seems to have stopped expanding but new sites keep on poping up. There is bollus and non bollus what is different also is that it runs in streak marks at times. Just as though someone scratched me and this is not my doing. My GP placed a rush appointment and will be seeing the Dermatologist Aug. 4th. In Quebec the healthcare is not so great so I will have to push to get the culture taken and most likely have to pay it out but feel it will be well worth it as my GP was not convinced that the second class of antibiotics would help all that much. I will keep you posted on the outcome perhaps it can help you as well.   Anastasia

[Mirrion]

As an update, it turns out that what I have is MRSA. And it is far, far worse than Impetigo.

And Anastasia, I would very highly recommend checking-out this site:
    http://mrsa-forum-usa.com/

The collective experiences of everyone there has proven invaluable to me. And even if you might not have MRSA (I pray that you don't!), I'm sure you could learn some very useful things from the community there.

All the best in your (our) fight against Staph.

[telemdoffcall435]

Hello M,
   I am a doctor practicing in a busy clinic in Manhattan, NY which sees many young children who tend to have this type of infection. Despite frequent hand washing, I had a similar experience after an adult episode of shingles where the Staph/Strep AKA Impetigo developed later (also on my face but more specific to my chin area). I believe the approach should be more topical and when you apply the antibiotic ointment do it liberally and wipe away any oozing as it occurs and keep that away from other skin contacts. Do this every 4-6 hours except when sleeping so the oozing does not get moved around your face while sleeping (as much). That worked for me, but yes, it was a very gross experience. The good news is that it is a superficial infection and there is usually no scarring. Good luck.

RR

[quasibroken]

I have had impetigo consistently for 18 years. I am currently on the verge of losing my career, my home and my family due to this. I have researched so much on impetigo, feeling that I am the only one in the world who has had it so persistently. Reading what you've wrote, I feel like someone else out there has had it rough like me also. It would be helpful to me to know of any updates of what you did once you were diagnosed with MRSA.

[quasibroken]

I have had impetigo consistently for 18 years. I am currently on the verge of losing my career, my home and my family due to this. I have researched so much on impetigo, feeling that I am the only one in the world who has had it so persistently. Reading what you've wrote, I feel like someone else out there has had it rough like me also. It would be helpful to me to know of any updates of what you did once you were diagnosed with MRSA.