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Topical antibiotic for impetigo

PCPdirect  online service for the treatment of uncomplicated impetigo

This service has been developed for use by men, women and children who have the signs of uncomplicated impetigo. If there is any uncertainty in the diagnosis after reading this information you should consult your own doctor.

Who can use this service?

The service is available to anyone between the ages of 5 and 75 years of age who have the symptoms of ‘simple’ or ‘uncomplicated’ impetigo. Overseas purchasers may be restricted by legislation in their own country.

How the service works

The following information is provided for you to determine whether you have the symptoms of simple / uncomplicated impetigo. Should you consider that this is the case you will then be given options for treatment, this includes links to proprietary products marketed for the treatment of skin infections  and the opportunity to participate in an online consultation to see whether the online GP considers antibiotic treatment is appropriate.

If the online GP decides antibiotics are appropriate our service will allow you to purchase 15 g tube of ointment/cream which should be sufficient to treat your infection.

What are the symptoms of a ‘simple’ or uncomplicated impetigo?

Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection which is most commonly seen in babies as well as small children.

Small red spots typically appear on the skin of the face (especially around the mouth and nose), neck or hands, although any part of the body may be affected.

In babies, impetigo often occurs in the nappy area.

The spots may be clustered or merge together. The centre of each one rapidly becomes a blister, which then bursts, oozing a typical golden fluid. Crusts form over the red spots, which may be itchy or slightly sore.

New crops of spots may appear over several days or weeks (if untreated) and the infection is easily spread to other parts of the body.

Impetigo should not be confused with cold sores and the herpes virus which can lead to similar scabs around the mouth. These can normally be identified due to the tingling sensation prior to eruption.

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