IMPETIGO CONSULTATION FOAM
Step 1 of 3 Consultation
Impetigo
Important Notice
This consultation is specifically for adults and children, aged 1 year and older, experiencing symptoms of impetigo and is to help determine the level of care you might need. This could be one of our pharmacists, your GP or more urgent care.
This consultation is not suitable for general medical enquiries or conditions unrelated to impetigo.
Impetigo is a contagious skin infection characterised by red sores or blisters that often break open and form a yellowish crust. See NHS examples.
You need to check your symptoms to help determine your condition as it may not be Impetigo.
You can use the NHS 111 symptom checker to help you determine what to do next.
If any of the following apply to you, you may need more care than a pharmacist can provide:
- Bullous impetigo (larger blisters on the torso of infants and young children).
- Recurrent impetigo (2 or more episodes in the same year).
- Pregnant individuals aged under 16 years.
Unfortunately our pharmacist will not be able to help you and you should make an appointment with your NHS GP as soon as you can.
Symptoms of impetigo typically include:
- Red sores or blisters that can burst and develop a yellowish-brown crust.
- They are most commonly found around the nose and mouth.
- The sores may be mildly itchy.
Your rash may not be Impetigo and so you don't need any antibiotics at this time.
Some rashes require no medical input and simply get better by themselves. You can take pain relief and should follow these self-care tips:
- Keep the sores, blisters and crusty patches clean and dry.
- Cover with loose clothing or gauze bandages.
- Avoid school, work, gyms, and contact sports.
- Clean your hands often and wash linens/towels hot.
- Disinfect toys if children have impetigo.
- Don't touch/scratch or prepare food for others.
- Take over-the-counter pain relief if needed.
If your symptoms do NOT get better within 7–10 days, come back to book an appointment. If symptoms worsen, contact your GP.