Impetigo Treatment in Oxford
If you or your child has developed a red, sore or crusty skin rash that may be impetigo, our pharmacists at Woodstock Road Chemist in Oxford may be able to help through the NHS Pharmacy First service.
Pharmacy First allows eligible patients aged 1 year and over with symptoms of impetigo to be assessed by a community pharmacist without always needing to see a GP first. Our pharmacist can assess the affected skin, provide professional advice and, where clinically appropriate, supply treatment through the NHS Pharmacy First pathway.
Impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection. Although it is not usually serious, getting the right advice and treatment can help the infection clear more quickly and reduce the risk of it spreading to other people.
Learn more about NHS Pharmacy First
What Is Impetigo?
Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection that can affect people of any age, although it is particularly common in young children.
It usually begins with sores or blisters on the skin. These can quickly burst and leave behind distinctive crusty, golden-brown patches. Impetigo commonly appears around the nose and mouth, although it can develop on other parts of the body, including the hands and areas where the skin has been damaged.
The infection can sometimes develop after a cut, scratch, insect bite or another skin condition has damaged the surface of the skin, allowing bacteria to enter.
What Are the Symptoms of Impetigo?
Impetigo can look slightly different from person to person, but common symptoms can include:
- Red sores or small blisters on the skin
- Blisters that burst and leave golden-brown crusts
- Itchy or uncomfortable patches of skin
- Sores that gradually become larger or spread
- Weeping or oozing areas of skin
- Clusters of sores around the nose, mouth or hands
Redness associated with impetigo may be less noticeable on brown or black skin. If you are unsure whether a rash is impetigo, speak to our pharmacist for an assessment.
Impetigo Treatment Through NHS Pharmacy First
The NHS Pharmacy First service enables community pharmacists to assess and manage impetigo in eligible patients aged 1 year and over. This means you may be able to receive appropriate treatment without first arranging an appointment with your GP.
Our pharmacist will assess your symptoms and decide whether your condition is suitable for treatment through Pharmacy First.
1. Speak to Our Pharmacy Team
Visit Woodstock Road Chemist and tell our team about the skin symptoms you or your child are experiencing, when they started and whether they have changed or spread.
2. Pharmacist Assessment
Our pharmacist will assess the affected area and ask some questions about your symptoms and medical history. They will also check for any signs that could indicate a different or more serious skin condition.
3. Advice and Treatment
If the pharmacist determines that the symptoms are consistent with impetigo and the NHS clinical criteria are met, they can provide appropriate advice and treatment. This may include an antiseptic treatment or, where clinically appropriate, antibiotic treatment.
4. Follow-Up Advice
Our pharmacist will explain how to use any treatment supplied, how to reduce the risk of spreading the infection and when you should seek further medical advice if your symptoms do not improve.
Is Impetigo Contagious?
Yes. Impetigo is highly contagious and can spread easily from one person to another through direct skin-to-skin contact.
It can also spread by touching items that have been in contact with infected skin, such as towels, bedding, clothing or toys.
According to NHS guidance, impetigo normally stops being contagious around 48 hours after starting prescribed treatment. If no treatment is used, it remains contagious until the affected areas have dried and crusted over.
Children should stay away from school or nursery, and adults should stay away from work where appropriate, until they are no longer considered contagious.
How Can I Stop Impetigo Spreading?
There are several simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of spreading impetigo to other parts of the body or to other people:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
- Wash the affected areas gently and dry them thoroughly.
- Avoid touching or scratching the sores and crusts.
- Do not share towels, flannels, clothing, bedding or pillowcases.
- Wash towels, bedding and clothing at a high temperature.
- Wash children’s toys with detergent and warm water.
- Keep fingernails short and clean to reduce damage caused by scratching.
- Avoid close skin-to-skin contact while the infection is contagious.
Following good hygiene measures is particularly important because impetigo can spread very easily.
Does Impetigo Need Antibiotics?
Not every case of impetigo requires antibiotics. The most appropriate treatment depends on factors such as how widespread the infection is, the type of impetigo and the patient’s individual circumstances.
For some cases of localised impetigo, an antiseptic treatment may be appropriate. In other circumstances, antibiotic cream or antibiotic tablets may be required.
Our pharmacist will follow the NHS Pharmacy First clinical pathway and determine the most appropriate treatment based on the assessment. Antibiotics will only be supplied when clinically appropriate.
If treatment is supplied, it is important to follow the instructions carefully and complete the full course where applicable, even if the skin begins to look better sooner.
When Should I See a GP?
Pharmacy First is suitable for many people with symptoms of impetigo, but there are some situations where further medical assessment may be required.
You should speak to a GP if your baby is aged 11 months or younger and has symptoms of impetigo. You should also seek further medical advice if you have a weakened immune system, if the infection keeps returning or if your symptoms become worse despite treatment.
If you are breastfeeding and have impetigo sores on your breast, you should also contact your GP rather than relying on Pharmacy First.
Our pharmacists will assess whether the service is suitable for you. If your symptoms require further investigation or treatment, we will advise you on the appropriate next steps.
Can Impetigo Come Back?
Yes, some people experience repeated episodes of impetigo. If the infection keeps coming back, your GP may need to investigate why this is happening.
This can sometimes involve taking a swab from the affected skin or inside the nose to identify the bacteria responsible. Additional treatment may then be recommended to help prevent further infections.
If you have had impetigo previously and it has returned within the past year, speak to your GP or ask our pharmacy team for advice on the most appropriate next step.
Impetigo Treatment in Oxford
If you think you or your child may have impetigo, visit Woodstock Road Chemist for convenient access to professional advice through NHS Pharmacy First.
Our pharmacists can assess eligible patients aged 1 year and over and, where appropriate, provide NHS treatment without the need to arrange a GP appointment first.
Getting advice early can help you manage your symptoms, begin appropriate treatment and reduce the risk of passing the infection to other people.
Contact Woodstock Road Chemist or explore our other pharmacy services.
Further Information About Impetigo
For additional information about symptoms, treatment and preventing the spread of impetigo, visit the NHS website: