Impetigo

Most patients notice reduced redness and itching within two to three days of starting treatment. Hydrogen peroxide cream often eases mild symptoms rapidly. More serious cases treated with fusidic acid or oral antibiotics can take up to five days for full resolution. Continue applying or taking medicine exactly as directed. If you see no improvement after five days or if symptoms worsen, return to the pharmacy for a follow-up review.

Yes. Children aged one year and over can be assessed and treated under the Pharmacy First service. Your pharmacist checks weight, age and overall health before supplying the right cream or tablets. You receive simple instructions on how to apply treatments and advice on preventing spread in nurseries or schools. Parents find this approach less stressful than GP visits and faster for getting children back to normal routine.

No GP prescription is needed. Pharmacists supply impetigo treatments under a Patient Group Direction approved by NHS England. This means pharmacists act as prescribers for impetigo within strict guidelines. You simply walk in, have a private consultation, and leave with medication. If your infection falls outside the scheme or if more serious complications appear, the pharmacist refers you to a GP or hospital.

For localised non-bullous impetigo you usually get hydrogen peroxide 1% cream to apply twice daily for five days. More extensive infections may need fusidic acid cream three times daily or a five-day course of oral antibiotics such as erythromycin. Your pharmacist selects the safest option, explains how to use it and warns you about possible side effects. You also receive advice on wound care to speed recovery.

Wash your hands thoroughly after touching lesions and before meals. Keep fingernails trimmed short. Cover sores with a breathable dressing until they heal. Do not share towels, bedding or clothing until treatment is complete. Wash used fabrics in hot water daily. Clean toys and surfaces regularly. These steps help protect family members and friends from infection.

Return to the pharmacy or see your GP if lesions worsen or fail to improve after five days of treatment. Seek urgent care if you develop a high fever, increasing pain, swollen lymph nodes or signs of cellulitis such as spreading redness and warmth. These could signal a more serious infection requiring hospital assessment. Always follow your pharmacist’s safety-net advice.