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Walk in or call
Drop in to Qrystal Pharmacy — tell our team it's for a Pharmacy First impetigo consultation. We aim to see you within 30 minutes.
NHS Pharmacy First · Impetigo
Free NHS treatment for impetigo rash.
Crusty, golden-yellow sores around the nose or mouth? Our pharmacists can assess and treat impetigo with topical or oral antibiotics — same day, free on the NHS, for adults and children aged 1 and over.
- Free consultationCost
- Same dayWait time
- Adults & children 1+Eligibility
What is impetigo?
Impetigo is a common, contagious bacterial skin infection caused mostly by Staphylococcus aureus and sometimes Streptococcus pyogenes. It's most common in young children but can affect anyone. It typically starts as red sores or fluid-filled blisters that quickly burst and crust over with a distinctive honey-coloured scab — most often around the nose and mouth, but can occur anywhere on the body.
Under the NHS Pharmacy First service, our registered pharmacists at Qrystal Pharmacy in London can assess impetigo and supply prescription topical antibiotics (such as hydrogen peroxide cream or fusidic acid) or oral antibiotics where appropriate — for adults and children aged 1 and over, without a GP appointment.
Impetigo is contagious and can spread easily — especially in schools, nurseries, and within families. Treatment significantly reduces contagiousness within 24-48 hours. Without treatment, sores usually heal in 2-3 weeks but the risk of spreading is much higher and there's a small risk of complications.
Symptoms of impetigo
Impetigo usually starts on broken skin (a cut, insect bite, eczema patch, or runny nose). Common features include:
- Red sores or blisters, often around the nose and mouth
- Blisters that burst quickly, leaving raw weeping patches
- Honey-coloured or golden crusts forming on the sores
- Itchiness around the sores
- Mild soreness but rarely severe pain
- Sores that spread to nearby skin or other areas
- Swollen glands near the affected area (occasionally)
- More than one family member, classmate, or contact with similar sores
- In bullous impetigo: larger fluid-filled blisters that take longer to crust
- Usually no fever in mild cases
When to see us — and when to seek urgent help
Walk in to Pharmacy First if you have:
- Sores with the characteristic golden-yellow crust
- Suspected impetigo affecting a small area (non-bullous form)
- Bullous impetigo (larger fluid-filled blisters)
- Symptoms in a child at school or nursery (treatment limits spread)
- Existing skin condition (e.g. eczema) that's developed crusted sores
Get urgent help (NHS 111 or A&E) if you have:
- Widespread rash covering large areas of the body
- High fever alongside the rash
- A child who looks very unwell or unusually drowsy
- Rash that's deeper, very painful, or has rapidly spreading redness around it
- Signs of bloodstream infection or sepsis
Who is eligible for impetigo treatment under Pharmacy First?
- Adults and children aged 1 and over
- Registered with an NHS GP in England
- Localised impetigo (non-bullous or bullous) suitable for community treatment
You're not eligible if:
- Babies under 1 year old
- Patients with widespread or recurrent impetigo — may need GP review
- Patients with significant systemic symptoms (high fever, very unwell)
- Pregnant patients with bullous impetigo — please ask; we can usually still help
How the consultation works
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Private examination
Our pharmacist examines the rash in our private consultation room, confirms the diagnosis, and checks the extent and severity.
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Treatment plan
Localised: hydrogen peroxide cream first-line, fusidic acid second-line. Widespread or bullous: oral flucloxacillin. Plus advice on stopping spread.
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Records to your GP
With your consent we share a consultation summary electronically with your GP so your records stay joined-up.
What's included
- Clinical assessment by a registered pharmacist
- Private consultation room — fully confidential
- Topical antibiotic prescription (hydrogen peroxide or fusidic acid cream)
- Oral antibiotic prescription for widespread or bullous impetigo
- Hygiene and contact-avoidance advice to prevent spread
- Onward referral to GP if treatment isn't working or symptoms worsen
- Electronic record sent securely to your GP
Other Pharmacy First conditions we can treat
Infected Insect Bites
Adults & children 1+
Same-day antibiotic treatment for bites or stings that have developed signs of bacterial infection.
Read moreShingles
Adults 18+
Fast antiviral treatment for the painful shingles rash — best started within 72 hours.
Read moreSore Throat
Adults & children 5+
Same-day NHS assessment using the FeverPAIN score, antibiotics where appropriate.
Read moreImpetigo — frequently asked questions
How long does impetigo take to clear up?
With antibiotic treatment, sores usually stop spreading within 24-48 hours and clear up within 7-10 days. Without treatment, it can take 2-3 weeks and is more likely to spread to others. Finish any prescribed course of antibiotics even if the rash looks better.
Is impetigo contagious?
Yes — very. It spreads by direct skin-to-skin contact and by touching contaminated items (towels, bedding, clothing). Children should stay off school or nursery until 48 hours after starting antibiotics, or until all sores have crusted over and healed if not treated.
How does someone catch impetigo?
The bacteria enter through broken skin — a cut, insect bite, area of eczema, or even a runny nose. Once a sore is established it spreads easily by touch. Frequent hand-washing, not sharing towels, and keeping affected skin covered helps limit spread.
Will I need oral antibiotics or just cream?
Most non-bullous impetigo with a few localised sores is treated topically — usually with hydrogen peroxide cream first, or fusidic acid second-line. Widespread impetigo or bullous impetigo (larger fluid-filled blisters) usually needs oral flucloxacillin. The pharmacist will judge which is appropriate.
Can I go to work or send my child to school?
After 48 hours of antibiotic treatment, you're considered non-infectious and can return. If you choose not to treat, you should stay away until all sores have crusted over and healed (which can take 2-3 weeks).
Can adults catch impetigo from children?
Yes — and adults often catch it from children at home. If your child has impetigo, watch out for new spots on yourself or other family members and come in promptly if you spot them.
What about preventing it coming back?
Keep cuts and grazes clean and covered. Treat underlying skin conditions like eczema (we can supply emollients). Wash hands frequently. If your child has recurrent impetigo, we may suggest checking for nasal carriage of staph bacteria — that needs a GP referral.
Could it be something else?
Yes — cold sores (herpes), eczema, ringworm, and scabies can all look similar. Our pharmacist is trained to distinguish these and will refer to your GP if the diagnosis is unclear or if a different treatment is needed.
Crusty sores spreading?
Walk into Qrystal Pharmacy for a free NHS Pharmacy First impetigo consultation — same-day antibiotics, no GP appointment needed.