Self care for impetigo

Thankfully, complications from impetigo are rare, so if onward referral is not necessary for patients – both those who are eligible for the Pharmacy First service, as well as those who are not – pharmacy teams can also be on hand to advise people about how to manage the condition while they recover.

Start by reassuring patients that impetigo is usually a self-limiting condition that, even without treatment, should heal in seven to 21 days without scarring.

Since impetigo usually infects skin that’s already damaged by a cut, scratch, insect bite, or a skin condition, there are a few things that people can do in order to avoid catching it in the first place. For example, pharmacy teams can remind people to make sure they keep cuts, scratches and insect bites clean by washing them with warm water and soap, and getting treatment for skin conditions such as eczema and scabies.

As pharmacy teams are often the first point of contact for patients, they can notice if a person is experiencing recurring impetigo and alert the pharmacist, who will consider referral or seek specialist advice if the person is systemically unwell, is at high risk of complications, or if the diagnosis is uncertain and differential diagnoses have been considered.

If customers have impetigo that keeps coming back, they can be referred to their GP who will take a swab from their skin to check for the bacteria that causes impetigo, and they may also take a swab from inside their nose. The GP may prescribe an antiseptic body wash, nasal ointment, or both, to try to clear the bacteria and stop the impetigo coming back.

As with all medicines, pharmacy teams can also take the opportunity to remind patients that whatever course of treatment is recommended to address their impetigo, they must make sure they finish it. It is especially important to not stop taking antibiotic tablets early, even if they feel the impetigo has started to clear up.