My daughter has impetigo which has shown no improvement over past 1.5 months of antibiotics..help!?

My daughter was diagnosed with impetigo, it started as a small red eczema spot(3-4 months back) that spread around both eyes. looks like red rash which weeps every now and then, then turns into crusts, and this cycle continues. Staph was growing in the culture, so she was give cepalexin and then bactrim. Now its month and a half on anitbiotics and the infection just doesnt want to go away, although new culture tests show no staph now. Should we ask the doctors to test for something else? She has the infection around her lips (although smaller than the eyes). She has had eczema problems since birth, but this is the worst! We have tried everything from cetaphil, erethromycin to petrolatum to soothe her, bathing with warm/cold water, changing sheets every day etc. The itching doesnt stop. Claritin/hydroxyzine etc. havent helped either. If this was allergy to something then the anti histamines should have helped atleast, but nothing seems to work. We are awaiting her allergy blood test.

She is 2 years old..

I know some of this is difficult with a child but here are some tips:

* Soak the affected areas of skin with a vinegar solution 鈥?1 tablespoon of white vinegar to 1 pint of water 鈥?for 20 minutes. This makes it easier to gently remove the scabs.
* After washing the area, apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment three or four times daily. Wash the skin before each application, and pat it dry.
* Avoid scratching or touching the sores as much as possible until they heal. Applying a nonstick dressing to the infected area can help keep impetigo from spreading.

* Hygienic measures. Sometimes your doctor may choose to treat minor cases of impetigo with only hygienic measures. Keeping your child's skin clean can help mild infections heal on their own.
* Topical antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic that you apply to your child's skin (topical antibiotic), such as mupirocin ointment (Bactroban). Topical antibiotics avoid side effects such as diarrhea that can result from some oral medications, but as with oral antibiotics, bacteria can become resistant to them over time.
* Oral antibiotics. Your doctor is likely to prescribe an oral antibiotic for ecthyma and severe cases of impetigo contagiosa. The specific antibiotic will depend on the severity of the infection and any allergies or conditions your child might have. Be sure to finish the entire course of medication even if your child seems better. This helps prevent the infection from recurring and makes antibiotic resistance less likely.

go to your local supermarket and browse around and see if you can find an antibacterial ointment called "Bactracin Zinc" ... this seems to work well. Another thing to try is camphor although in infants it can be more painful than it would be for an adult.

How old is your daughter? If she can, try to get her to take a fish body oil pill. Make sure you get a deodorized one tho because she wont want to take it if she is burping up fish. Also use Aveeno Oatmeal soap, it makes the itching go away. DO NOT SCRATCH. I have bad eczema and this has since helped me...Good Luck. Feel Sorry for the poor girl.

I would try Natural Homeopathic medicine since nothing seems to work. I've been using the childrens line with my kids for years, and they have something for everything! It's worth a try-no side effects, no drug counter actions, no nothing, but help. Check out a link below....