Impetigo

Impetigo Treatment | Skin Infection Treatment | Allied Pharmacies

Impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects young children, though it can occur at any age. It causes distinctive red sores and blisters that burst and form honey-coloured crusts, usually around the nose and mouth. At Allied Pharmacies, our pharmacists can diagnose and treat impetigo through the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, providing antibiotic cream or oral antibiotics where appropriate, so you can get effective treatment without waiting for a GP appointment.

What Is Impetigo?

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection caused by either Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. According to the NHS, it is very common in young children but can affect people of all ages. There are two main types of impetigo:

• Non-bullous impetigo – the most common type, which starts as red sores, usually around the nose and mouth. The sores burst quickly, leaving behind a golden-brown crust that looks like cornflakes stuck to the skin.
• Bullous impetigo – less common, this type causes large fluid-filled blisters on the trunk of the body that may take longer to burst. It is more common in babies and young children.

Impetigo is not usually serious but is highly contagious, spreading easily through direct contact with the sores or through contaminated towels, clothing, and other items. Prompt treatment helps clear the infection faster and reduces the risk of spreading it to others.

Symptoms of Impetigo

The symptoms of impetigo can vary depending on the type, but common signs include:

• Red sores or blisters that burst quickly and leave behind a yellowish-brown crust
• Sores that spread to other areas of the body when touched or scratched
• Itching and soreness around the affected area
• Swollen glands near the affected area in more severe cases
• Large fluid-filled blisters in the case of bullous impetigo
• A mild fever or feeling generally unwell in some cases

Impetigo most commonly appears on the face, particularly around the nose and mouth, but can develop anywhere on the body. If you or your child develops these symptoms, visit your nearest Allied Pharmacies branch for assessment and treatment.

What Causes Impetigo?

Impetigo is caused by bacteria entering the skin, usually through a break such as a cut, scratch, insect bite, or area of eczema. The bacteria responsible are commonly found on the skin and in the nose without causing harm, but when they enter damaged skin, they can cause infection. Impetigo spreads easily through:

• Direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who has impetigo
• Touching items contaminated with the bacteria, such as towels, bedding, and toys
• Scratching or touching existing sores, which spreads the infection to new areas

Impetigo is most common in warm, humid conditions and in environments where children are in close contact, such as nurseries and schools. Children with eczema, cuts, or grazes are particularly susceptible.

Impetigo in Children

Impetigo is especially common in children aged two to five, though older children and adults can also be affected. In young children, the infection often starts around the nose and mouth and can spread rapidly if not treated. Children with impetigo should be kept away from school or nursery until the sores have dried out and crusted over, or until 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment, to prevent spreading the infection to other children.

If your child keeps getting impetigo, it may be because they are a nasal carrier of the bacteria. Our pharmacists can discuss prevention strategies and may recommend nasal treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence.

How Is Impetigo Treated?

Impetigo is treated with antibiotics, which can be applied topically as a cream or taken orally as tablets or liquid. The choice of treatment depends on the severity and extent of the infection:

• Antibiotic cream (fusidic acid) – for mild, localised impetigo, a topical antibiotic cream is usually applied to the affected area three times a day for five to seven days. You should gently wash the crusts with warm soapy water before applying the cream.
• Oral antibiotics (flucloxacillin) – for more widespread or severe impetigo, or when topical treatment has not worked, oral antibiotics may be prescribed for seven days.

Through the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, our pharmacists can assess impetigo and prescribe the appropriate antibiotic treatment without the need for a GP appointment. Most cases of impetigo start to improve within seven days of treatment.

Self-Care Tips for Impetigo

Alongside antibiotic treatment, the following self-care measures can help manage impetigo and prevent it from spreading:

• Gently wash the affected areas with warm soapy water and pat dry with a clean towel
• Do not share towels, flannels, bedding, or clothing with anyone else
• Wash your hands regularly, especially after touching the sores
• Avoid scratching or picking at the sores to prevent spreading
• Keep your child's nails short to minimise damage from scratching
• Wash towels and bedding at a high temperature
• Keep children away from school or nursery until sores have crusted or 48 hours after starting antibiotics

Preventing Impetigo

While impetigo cannot always be prevented, good hygiene practices can significantly reduce the risk of infection and prevent it from spreading. Encourage children to wash their hands regularly, particularly after playing outside, touching their face, or blowing their nose. Keep cuts, grazes, and insect bites clean and covered with a plaster until they have fully healed, as broken skin provides an entry point for bacteria.

If someone in your household has impetigo, take extra precautions to prevent the infection from spreading to other family members. Give them their own towel and flannel, wash their bedding and clothing separately at a high temperature, and ensure everyone in the household washes their hands frequently. Avoid close physical contact with the affected person until their sores have healed or they have been on antibiotics for at least 48 hours. By following these simple steps, you can help protect your family and reduce the likelihood of impetigo recurring.

When to Seek Medical Advice

While most cases of impetigo respond well to treatment, you should seek further medical advice if the infection is not improving after seven days of treatment, if the sores are spreading despite treatment, if you or your child develops a high fever, or if the skin around the sores becomes very red, warm, or swollen, which may indicate a deeper skin infection. Our pharmacists can reassess the situation and arrange a GP referral if necessary.

How Our Impetigo Treatment Service Works

Getting treatment for impetigo at Allied Pharmacies is quick and easy. Visit any of our branches and speak to a pharmacist. No appointment is needed. Our pharmacist will examine the affected skin, assess the severity of the infection, and prescribe the appropriate antibiotic treatment through the NHS Pharmacy First scheme. You will also receive clear advice on self-care, hygiene measures, and when your child can return to school.

Why Choose Allied Pharmacies?

Allied Pharmacies provides fast, professional impetigo treatment with:

• No appointment needed – walk in for same-day assessment
• NHS Pharmacy First prescribing for antibiotic treatment
• Expert advice on managing and preventing impetigo
• Private consultation rooms for comfortable assessment
• Guidance on school exclusion and when to return
• Referral to GP if further treatment is needed

Related Services

You may also be interested in these related services at Allied Pharmacies:

• Infected Insect Bites – assessment and treatment for infected bites
• Common Ailments Scheme – NHS treatment for minor health conditions
• Independent Prescribing Pharmacist – access prescription medications without a GP

Find Impetigo Treatment Near You

Visit your nearest Allied Pharmacies branch for fast, effective impetigo treatment. Our pharmacists are here to help clear the infection and get you or your child back to normal. For more information, visit the NHS impetigo guide.