Localized bullous impetigo is best treated with which topical antibiotic?

• A. Topical Mupirocin
• B. Oral Dicloxacillin
• C. Topical Clindamycin
• D. Topical Erythromycin

Answer: (A)

Localized bullous impetigo is a superficial skin infection best treated with a topical antibiotic when the disease is limited to a few lesions. Mupirocin is ideal here because it directly targets the bacteria commonly responsible (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species) and works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis through binding to isoleucyl‑tRNA synthetase. This leads to a rapid reduction in the local bacterial load with minimal systemic absorption, making it effective and easy to use for confined infections.

Oral dicloxacillin would be more appropriate if the infection were widespread or there were systemic symptoms, since it treats more extensively rather than the localized disease. Topical clindamycin or topical erythromycin can be alternatives, but resistance patterns and variable effectiveness make them less preferred as first-line options for localized impetigo.