Home » Shop » non prescription medicine » NHS Pharmacy First » Impetigo
impetigo

Impetigo

£0.00

  • Scan bar code for pre-screening consultation
  • Free NHS funded service
  • Complete the online consultation followed by video call from the convenience of your home.
  • Free delivery of medication delivered to your home.
  • Request in confidence from UK Registered Pharmacy

This service is only suitable for adults and children aged 1 years and over.

This service is NOT suitable for immunosuppressed individuals or  pregnant individuals under 16 years.

Please see your own GP if you do not fit the criteria.

Categories: ,
Trustpilot

Discreet Packaging

UK Based

  • Impetigo

    Impetigo is a skin infection that's very contagious but not usually serious. It often gets better in 7 to 10 days if you get treatment. Anyone can get it, but it's very common in young children.

    Check if you have impetigo

    Impetigo starts with red sores or blisters, but the redness may be harder to see in brown and black skin.

    The sores or blisters quickly burst and leave crusty, golden-brown patches.

    The patches can:

    • look a bit like cornflakes stuck to your skin
    • get bigger
    • spread to other parts of your body
    • be itchy
    • sometimes be painful
    The lower half of a child's face with red sores and yellow weepy sores on the nose and around the mouth. Shown on white skin.
    Sores (non-bullous impetigo) or blisters (bullous impetigo) can start anywhere – but usually on exposed areas like your face and hands.
    Impetigo on the chin. The patches are about 2cm wide, red and golden with darker scabs in the middle. Shown on brown skin.
    The sores or blisters burst and form crusty patches.

    Non-urgent advice:

    See a GP if you or your child:

    • might have impetigo
    • had treatment for impetigo but the symptoms change or get worse
    • had impetigo before and it keeps coming back

    Impetigo is very infectious. Check with the GP before you go into the surgery. They may suggest a phone consultation.

  • Treatment for impetigo

    A GP or pharmacist will check it’s not something more serious, like cellulitis.

    If it’s impetigo, you may need:

    • hydrogen peroxide cream if it’s in one area
    • antibiotic cream or tablets if it’s more widespread
    • antibiotic tablets if you have bullous impetigo or feel very unwell

    Babies and people with a weakened immune system may need antibiotic tablets to stop the infection causing more serious problems.

    If your impetigo keeps coming back

    A GP can take a swab from your skin to check for the bacteria that causes impetigo. They may also take a swab from inside your nose.

    They might prescribe an antiseptic body wash, nasal ointment, or both, to try to clear the bacteria and stop the impetigo coming back.

    Important: Make sure you finish treatment

    Do not stop taking the antibiotic tablets early, even if the impetigo starts to clear up.

  • Stop impetigo spreading or getting worse

    Impetigo can easily spread to other parts of your body or to other people until it stops being contagious.

    It stops being contagious:

    • 48 hours after you start using hydrogen peroxide cream or antibiotics prescribed by your GP
    • when the patches dry out and crust over (if you do not get treatment)

    To help stop impetigo spreading or getting worse while it’s still contagious:

    Do

    • stay away from school or work

    • keep sores, blisters and crusty patches clean and dry

    • cover them with loose clothing or gauze bandages

    • wash your hands frequently

    • wash flannels, sheets and towels at a high temperature

    • wash or wipe down toys with detergent and warm water if your children have impetigo

    Don’t

    • do not touch or scratch sores, blisters or crusty patches – this also helps stop scarring

    • do not have close contact with children or people with diabetes or a weakened immune system (if they’re having chemotherapy, for example)

    • do not share flannels, sheets or towels

    • do not prepare food for other people

    • do not go to the gym

    • do not play contact sports like football

  • How to avoid impetigo

    Impetigo usually infects skin that’s already damaged.

    To avoid spreading the infection to other areas of your body and to other people:

    • keep cuts, scratches and insect bites clean – for example, by washing them with warm water and soap
    • get treatment for skin conditions, like eczema

    Further advice and  information can be found on the British association of Dermatologists Impetigo leaflet 

  • Effective Treatment Strategies

    Treatment for impetigo aims to clear the infection and prevent its spread:

    Topical Antibiotics: Mupirocin or fusidic acid creams are effective in treating localised impetigo.
    Oral Antibiotics: For more widespread infections, oral antibiotics may be prescribed to eliminate the bacteria.
    Hygiene Measures: Washing the affected areas gently with soap and water and keeping them covered can help prevent the spread of impetigo.

  • Accessing Treatment through the Pharmacy First Service

    The Pharmacy First service allows you to receive professional advice and treatment for impetigo without needing a GP appointment. Our pharmacists can assess your symptoms, recommend appropriate treatments, and provide guidance on infection prevention and care.

Trustpilot