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Written & reviewed by Sukhdip Bahia
Pharmacist, Medway Pharmacy· GPhC registered
Quick answer
Impetigo — the highly contagious bacterial skin infection that causes crusty, honey-coloured sores — can be treated at Medway Pharmacy under the NHS Pharmacy First service. Our pharmacist can assess children aged 1 and over and adults, supplying topical fusidic acid or oral flucloxacillin depending on the extent of infection, with no GP referral required.
Impetigo is a superficial bacterial skin infection most commonly seen in young children, though adults can also be affected. It is caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, and presents as distinctive honey-coloured crusted sores or blisters, usually appearing around the nose, mouth, or on the limbs. It is highly contagious and spreads readily in schools, nurseries, and households across Medway and Gillingham.
Parents often recognise the golden-crusted sores and are understandably anxious to get treatment quickly, not least because children with impetigo are excluded from school until the infection is under control. The NHS Pharmacy First service means you do not need to wait for a GP appointment — our pharmacist Sukhdip Bahia can assess the extent of the infection and supply appropriate treatment, whether topical or oral.
Medway Pharmacy on Canterbury Street in Gillingham is ideally placed to help families in the Medway towns. Sukhdip has treated many cases of impetigo under the Pharmacy First pathway and can advise both on treatment and on the practical steps needed to prevent the infection from spreading to other family members.
The Pharmacy First impetigo pathway covers non-bullous impetigo in adults and children aged 1 year and over. It does not cover bullous impetigo (where there are large, fluid-filled blisters rather than crusty sores), nor recurrent episodes of impetigo, both of which require GP assessment. For localised impetigo — defined as 3 or fewer lesions — topical treatment is typically appropriate. For widespread impetigo with 4 or more lesions, oral antibiotics are needed.
For localised non-bullous impetigo (up to 3 lesions), our pharmacist can supply hydrogen peroxide 1% cream (Crystacide) as a first-line topical antiseptic treatment, or topical fusidic acid 2% cream where clinically indicated. For widespread impetigo (4 or more lesions), oral flucloxacillin is the appropriate treatment. Patients allergic to penicillin can be prescribed oral clarithromycin or topical retapamulin instead. The pharmacist will also provide hygiene advice: regular handwashing, avoiding touching the sores, not sharing towels or bedding, and keeping fingernails short.
Impetigo cases at Medway Pharmacy tend to cluster in spring and autumn when children return to school and nurseries after holiday breaks. Sukhdip sees multiple cases each week during these peak periods, and the Pharmacy First pathway means that most families can leave with a prescription on the same visit. For families in Gillingham, Chatham, Rainham, and the surrounding areas of Medway, this represents a significant time saving compared to waiting for a GP appointment.
Pharmacy First covers non-bullous impetigo in adults and children aged 1 and over. For localised impetigo (3 or fewer lesions), hydrogen peroxide 1% cream or topical fusidic acid can be supplied. For widespread impetigo (4 or more lesions), oral flucloxacillin is appropriate.
Yes, impetigo is highly contagious. You should avoid touching or scratching the sores, wash your hands frequently, and not share towels or bedding. Children should stay off school until the sores have crusted over or 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment.
Bullous impetigo (which causes large fluid-filled blisters) and recurrent impetigo are not covered by Pharmacy First and should be assessed by a GP.
While Pharmacy First covers many cases of Impetigo, you should seek further care if:
Choose a convenient time online, or call us if you are not sure whether Pharmacy First covers your symptoms.