Impetigo treatment on the NHS Pharmacy First service

What is impetigo?

Impetigo is a common and very contagious bacterial skin infection. It often starts as red sores or fluid-filled blisters that burst and form a characteristic golden-yellow crust. It spreads easily through touch, scratching, or sharing items such as towels and clothing, and is most common in young children.

Common symptoms include:

• Red sores, often around the nose and mouth (but they can appear anywhere)
• Fluid-filled blisters that burst and form a golden-yellow crust
• Itching and soreness around the affected area

Who the impetigo service is for

Our pharmacist can assess you under NHS Pharmacy First if:

• You or your child are aged 1 or over
• There are a small number of localised sores
• There are no signs of more serious, widespread illness

Early treatment and simple hygiene steps - not touching or scratching the sores, washing hands, and not sharing towels or bedding - help stop impetigo spreading.

When to seek urgent help instead

Please contact your GP or call NHS 111 if:

• The infection is spreading rapidly
• There is a high fever
• There are signs of cellulitis (increasing redness, warmth and swelling spreading beyond the sores)

In a medical emergency, always call 999.

How the service works

You do not need a GP referral - just contact us:

• Visit us at 245 High Street, Stratford, London E15 2LS, or call 020 4599 5647
• A GPhC-registered pharmacist will assess the symptoms and check eligibility
• Where it is clinically appropriate, we supply treatment under NHS arrangements; otherwise we give clear self-care advice
• If the service is not suitable, we will refer you to your GP, NHS 111 or urgent care

We aim to review consultations on the same day during opening hours.

Other NHS Pharmacy First conditions

We can also assess and, where appropriate, treat these common conditions under NHS Pharmacy First: