Impetigo

When to book impetigo treatment

Visit us for a Pharmacy First impetigo assessment if you or your child has:

• Red sores or blisters that burst quickly, leaving a yellowish-brown crust
• Sores spreading to other areas when touched or scratched
• Itching and soreness around the affected area
• Swollen glands nearby in more severe cases
• Large fluid-filled blisters (bullous impetigo)
• A mild fever or feeling generally unwell

Impetigo most often appears around the nose and mouth but can develop anywhere on the body. Seek further advice if it has not improved after seven days of treatment, the sores keep spreading, a high fever develops, or the surrounding skin becomes very red, warm or swollen, which can signal a deeper infection.

What is impetigo?

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. It is very common in young children, especially aged two to five, but can affect any age. There are two types:

• Non-bullous impetigo - the most common form. Red sores, usually around the nose and mouth, that burst quickly and leave a golden-brown crust
• Bullous impetigo - less common, with large fluid-filled blisters on the trunk that take longer to burst. More common in babies and young children

Bacteria enter through broken skin such as a cut, scratch, insect bite or patch of eczema. Impetigo spreads through skin-to-skin contact, contaminated towels, bedding and toys, and by scratching existing sores. It is most common in warm, humid conditions and in nurseries and schools.

How impetigo is treated

• Antibiotic cream (fusidic acid) - for mild, localised impetigo. Applied three times a day for five to seven days, after gently washing the crusts with warm soapy water
• Oral antibiotics (flucloxacillin) - for widespread or severe impetigo, or when cream has not worked, usually for seven days

Through NHS Pharmacy First, our pharmacists can assess impetigo and prescribe the right antibiotic without a GP appointment. Most cases start to improve within seven days.

Self-care and preventing spread

• Wash affected areas with warm soapy water and pat dry with a clean towel
• Do not share towels, flannels, bedding or clothing
• Wash hands regularly, especially after touching the sores
• Avoid scratching or picking, and keep children's nails short
• Wash towels and bedding at a high temperature
• Keep children off school or nursery until the sores have crusted, or 48 hours after starting antibiotics

Keep cuts, grazes and insect bites clean and covered until healed. If your child keeps getting impetigo, they may be a nasal carrier of the bacteria, and we can advise on nasal treatment to reduce recurrence.

Find impetigo treatment near you

Walk in with no appointment for same-day assessment, NHS Pharmacy First prescribing, a private consultation room, guidance on school exclusion and GP referral if needed. Use the postcode search above to find your nearest Allied Pharmacy.