Pharmacy first – Impetigo

Symptoms of Impetigo

• Red sores (non-bullous impetigo)
• Blisters (bullous impetigo)
• Enlarged lymph nodes.
• Fever
• Itchy / painful skin lesions 

The two types of Impetigo

Before going into the symptoms, we want to briefly mention that impetigo has two types. “Bullous Impetigo” (meaning with blistering) and “Non-Bullous Impetigo” (meaning without blistering). The difference here is more than just skin-deep! Non-bullous impetigo is the more common condition and usually has more manageable symptoms. Whereas bullous impetigo is less common but can be more painful with severe side effects. The staple symptom of bullous impetigo is large, fragile blisters. These can occur across your entire body.

Non-bullous impetigo does not cause blistering, but those affected will suffer from flamed, red sores. However, both types will eventually develop golden-brown scabs in place of the blisters and red sores. This is how your body attempts to recover and thus it's a good sign. Lastly, it's important to remember that impetigo is a contagious condition! Bullous impetigo can spread quickly and easily, and even though it is harder to spread non-bullous impetigo it can still be passed on to others.

Treatments for Impetigo

Treatment options for impetigo revolve around tackling the symptoms so your body can fight the infection more easily. Therefore, treatment options include:

• Topical antibiotics
• Oral antibiotics
• Hygiene advice
• Over-the-counter medications
• Follow-up consultations



Topical antibiotics this type of antibiotic will come in the form of a cream which will help to prevent infection by killing the bacteria causing the impetigo. Topical antibiotics can help limit the spread of impetigo to other areas of your body as well as other people. Topical antibiotics will often also alleviate other impetigo symptoms such as itchy skin.

Oral antibiotics. These are not as commonly prescribed the topical treatments. The use of oral antibiotics is generally reserved for severe cases of impetigo and/or use during an epidemic. Once the impetigo infection has spread across many people, or when the case of impetigo is severe in a single person, topical antibiotic creams do not provide enough relief. Oral treatments can be more effective as they can attack the bacteria throughout your entire body system not just on the surface of the skin.

Hygiene advice. Good hygiene and general hygiene measures is easily and readily given to most patients. This might include advice on how to stop further irritating the affected area or more detailed advice about general hygiene routines that a person could adopt to help reduce spreading of the disease.  In extreme (but very rare circumstances) local populations may be instructed to avoid going into school or work for a period to help limit the potential spread of the disease. Be assured this is extremely unlikely to be necessary.

Over-the-counter medication. Some medications can be given without a prescription. These may be helpful in reducing symptoms from impetigo. For example, pain relievers such as ibuprofen can help with pain.

Follow-up Consultations will be offered where appropriate so that impetigo can be monitored in case further treatment is needed or a referral to a specialist is indicated. This will only happen when the impetigo is considered too severe to respond to standard treatments and outside the treatment options available to a pharmacist.

Complications of Impetigo

Impetigo can cause various complications. (This is rare) Examples are:

• Cellulitis
• Scarlet Fever
• Psoriasis
• Septicaemia
• Staphylococcal
• Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis

Left unchecked impetigo can lead to various serious health complications. Although uncommon it's important to understand the potential risks so you can help prevent them from happening. For example, cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of skin and tissue. These complications of impetigo are serious if you notice any of these you must be referred to a specialist for treatment.

Who is at risk?

Those most at risk of impetigo are young children and infants, though this condition can affect people of any age. Since this condition is a bacterial infection, impetigo is more likely to affect those with a weak immune system, unable to adequately fight off the infection. Impetigo is also a condition that is more prevalent in certain climates: hot and humid environments are a perfect breeding ground. Other factors that make you more susceptible to impetigo are pre-existing skin conditions or compromised skin, such as eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis. 

How can NHS Pharmacy First help me?

NHS Pharmacy First can help you with impetigo. Patients can now seek FREE NHS treatment and advice directly from their local community pharmacy. (Letchworth Pharmacy is a great choice!) No need for a GP appointment. We can provide patients with medication when appropriate to treat any of the seven common conditions that this service covers. NHS Pharmacy First has changed the way the country can access healthcare.

Feel free to book an appointment or simply pop in and speak to our award-winning pharmacy team:

Click here https://www.letchworthpharmacy.co.uk/pharmacy_first_letchworth

Conclusion

To conclude, impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial infection which poses risks to individuals of all ages. Despite this, children and young infants are particularly vulnerable. NHS Pharmacy First, available at Letchworth Pharmacy is a FREE service, offering accessible diagnosis and treatment for this and six other common health conditions. In short we offer GP-level care and treatment without the long GP wait times. That said, recognising the symptoms such as red sores, blisters, enlarged lymph nodes, fever and itchy skin is crucial to ensure that you receive prompt treatment. It's also important to recognise the type of impetigo (Bullous or Non-bullous) as this can help determine treatment options and reduce the potential for transmission. Typical treatment will involve topical or oral antibiotics alongside hygiene advice and over-the-counter medication helping alleviate the symptoms and reduce the transmission rate.               

Impetigo is normally mild. However, it can progress towards more serious conditions such as cellulitis and scarlet fever. This is a particular risk to those with compromised immune systems or pre-existing skin conditions. Awareness and proactive management can greatly help mitigate the impact of impetigo on an individuals’ health.