Impetigo Treatment (Pharmacy First)
Anyone aged 1 and over with impetigo can be assessed and treated free under NHS Pharmacy First at participating pharmacies in England.
Under NHS Pharmacy First, anyone aged 1 and over with impetigo — the contagious bacterial skin infection that causes red sores and honey-coloured crusts, usually around the nose and mouth — can be assessed and treated free at participating pharmacies across England, without a GP appointment. Following the national clinical pathway, the pharmacist can supply treatment where appropriate: a topical cream such as hydrogen peroxide 1% or fusidic acid for localised patches, or oral antibiotics where the infection is more widespread — supplied without you seeing a GP first. The consultation is free; in England the standard prescription charge of £9.90 applies to any supplied medicine unless you're exempt (children under 16 are exempt). Because impetigo spreads easily, UKHSA advice is to keep children off school or nursery until the patches have crusted or healed, or for 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment, and to wash hands, towels, and bedding frequently at home. Babies under 1, and anyone with widespread, recurring, or worsening infection, should see a GP. Find participating pharmacies via /pharmacies/locations/; our Pharmacy First hub explains the scheme.
Typical cost
Free on the NHS
0 pharmacies offering pharmacy first impetigo
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pharmacist treat impetigo?▼
Yes — under Pharmacy First in England, pharmacists assess impetigo in anyone aged 1 and over and can supply treatment where appropriate: a topical cream for localised patches, or oral antibiotics where the infection is more widespread. It's free on the NHS and needs no GP appointment.
How long should my child stay off school with impetigo?▼
UKHSA guidance is to keep children off school or nursery until the sores have crusted or healed, or for 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment — whichever comes first. Good hand hygiene and not sharing towels, flannels, or bedding helps stop it spreading at home.
What does impetigo look like?▼
Red sores or blisters, usually starting around the nose and mouth, that burst and leave distinctive golden, honey-coloured crusts. A less common form causes larger fluid-filled blisters. If you're not sure what you're looking at, the pharmacist can assess it — that's exactly what the service is for.
When should I see a GP about impetigo instead?▼
See a GP for babies under 1, if the infection is widespread or keeps coming back, if it isn't improving after a full course of treatment, or if the person affected becomes feverish or generally unwell. Impetigo on top of eczema may also need a GP's input to manage both.
Is Pharmacy First impetigo treatment free?▼
The consultation is free on the NHS. In England the standard £9.90 prescription charge applies to a supplied medicine unless you're exempt — under-16s and many adults pay nothing. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland run their own free pharmacy schemes.