Impetigo treatment, reviewed by a pharmacist
A short online consultation, a clinician-led prescription if suitable, and treatment delivered discreetly and fast.
- Answer a few quick questions about your symptoms
- Get a prescription from a UK clinician if suitable
- Treatment delivered discreetly to your door
Recognise the symptoms?
- Red sores or blisters, often around the nose and mouth
- Sores that burst and leave a golden-yellow, crusty patch
- Itching or soreness around the affected area
- Patches that spread to nearby skin or other people through contact
- Swollen glands near the affected area, in some cases
- Symptoms most common in young children, but can affect adults too
How it works
Answer a few quick questions
Tell us about your symptoms and medical history in a short online consultation.
Reviewed by a UK clinician
A GPhC-registered pharmacist checks your answers and, if appropriate, issues a prescription.
Delivered to your door
Your treatment is dispensed and posted out in discreet, plain packaging.
How impetigo spreads
Impetigo is caused by bacteria and spreads easily through close contact.
Close contact with an infected person
Broken or damaged skin, e.g. cuts, eczema
Sharing towels, bedding or clothing
Warm, humid weather
Common in nurseries and schools
When to see a GP instead
This service is for straightforward, localised impetigo in otherwise well adults and older children. See a GP urgently, or take your child to a GP, if the sores are widespread or spreading rapidly, your child seems unwell, feverish or unusually drowsy, the skin becomes very swollen, painful or hot, or symptoms haven't started to improve after a few days of treatment, as this can indicate a deeper infection needing different treatment.
FAQs
Impetigo is a common, contagious bacterial skin infection that causes sores and blisters, most often around the nose and mouth. It's most common in young children but adults can get it too.
Yes, it spreads very easily through direct contact and sharing items like towels. Stay away from school, nursery or work until sores have crusted over or 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment, as advised by your clinician.
This service is for adults. If your child has symptoms, please book them in with a GP or in-person pharmacist.
Depending on how widespread your symptoms are, a clinician may prescribe an antibiotic cream or, for more widespread infection, an antibiotic taken by mouth.
With appropriate treatment, impetigo usually starts to improve within a few days, though full healing can take a little longer.
It's best to avoid close contact with others, including at work, until the sores have crusted over or you've been on treatment for at least 48 hours.
Avoid touching or scratching the sores, wash your hands regularly, and use your own towels and flannel until it has cleared.
Get impetigo treated quickly
Start your free online consultation now to get antibiotic treatment reviewed and dispatched fast.
Get Started