Treatment of superficial pyodermas in children.

Abstract

Ammoniated mercury ointment is probably the most widely used remedy for impetigo contagiosa. The sulfonamides and penicillin, streptomycin, and the other antibiotics in ointment form have also been well received as topical therapeutic agents. 1 The unfortunate development of an increasingly large number of sensitization reactions to these ointments has precluded their use in many cases and caused the therapist to look for safer methods of local therapy. 2 To compare the effectiveness of various methods of treatment in impetigo contagiosa, we have reviewed 126 cases seen at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia over the past five years. Cases complicated by other skin diseases such as eczema or scabies were not included, and only those patients who were followed to complete healing were considered in the study. The routine ointment used for local therapy the past two years has been hydrophilic petrolatum. The results with this preparation have been compared