Impetigo Treatment and Advice Service

About this service

Impetigo is a very contagious infection and is very common in younger children 

Our expert pharmacy teams will assess and can supply treatments for impetigo in adults and children over 1 years old.

Impetigo usually starts with red sores and blisters with a thin covering that quite often burst open, this often leads to a crusty yellow or golden brown patch on the skin that often looks quite wet and sore.

The patches, which are often around the mouth and nose, can look like yellowy bits of cornflake stuck to the skin, it can spread very quickly to the area around the first blister and even to other parts of the body. It is often itchy and sometimes painful.

Because the infection can be passed on easily it is important to have good hygeine and use separate towels and flannels. Good hand washing is important and wiping surfaces that have been touched.

Our trained pharmacist will ask some questions to get a bit more detail about the infection.

They will also check for any other conditions or symptoms that may need them to refer you to another NHS service for further checks.

This is a free NHS service if you are exempt from prescription charges.

Our pharmacy team will also give you other advice and suggest other treatments for the relief of symptoms.

This is a drop-in service but you may want to check with the pharmacy before heading to your local branch.

Our teams on hand to supply treatments for impetigo in children 1 to 17 Effective treatment options for impetigo in Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield, Scunthorpe, South Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire with Pharmacy First.

Impetigo leaflet