I'm posting this for a friend. She has ecthyma on her hands and she's been telling me that she keeps trying to get medication for it but the prescription is I think she said almost $300 (no insurance). I don't know much about it so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions I could give her to help soothe it. She said all she needs is a steroid cream I believe and it makes it go away.

Ecthyma is a skin infection similar to impetigo, but more deeply invasive. Usually caused by a streptococcus infection, ecthyma goes through the outer layer (epidermis) to the deeper layer (dermis) of skin, possibly causing scars.

Treatment depends on the extent and severity of infection. A topical antibiotic ointment such as fucidic acid or mupirocin is often prescribed for localised ecthyma. A topical antiseptic such as povidone iodine, antibacterial soap or Crystacide (hydrogen peroxide) cream may be used instead. Tell your friend to apply it at least three times a day to the affected areas and surrounding skin. If her skin condition doesn't improve, she should consult a dermatologist.

Thanks for the info, like I said I don't know anything about it other than it's a skin infection.

That's the thing she's seen a dermatologist but the medication is $300 that she can't afford. I'll tell her about the other things you mentioned though and see if that helps.

I believe she only has it on her fingers. So I'm not how severe or what not that is.

Thanks for your input.