RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
AdultsImpetigo
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Contact the treating pharmacist or GP if the sores worsen during treatment, or have not improved when the prescribed course is finished.
- Seek advice sooner for spreading redness, increasing pain or swelling, fever, blisters, or feeling unwell.
- A baby under 12 months with suspected impetigo needs GP assessment. Seek GP advice if immunity is weakened, sores are on the breast while breastfeeding, or infections keep returning.
- Tell the surgery before attending because impetigo spreads easily. Follow the advice about staying off school, nursery or work.
- For mild symptoms without any of the urgent or emergency warning signs listed here, a community pharmacist can advise on self-care and suitable medicines. Tell them the patient’s age, other medicines and any pregnancy or breastfeeding. They can direct you to another service if needed.
- A pharmacist may be able to assess and treat impetigo through Pharmacy First from age 1 year. Contact the pharmacy first to check that it offers the service. Assessment does not always mean an antibiotic or other prescription is needed.
- For an urgent problem that is not life-threatening, NHS 111 may direct you to an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) rather than a GP appointment. UTCs can assess many minor illnesses and injuries. Services, opening hours and ages treated vary, so call NHS 111 if you are unsure where to go. Do not delay emergency help for any of the emergency signs below.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- If you need medical advice and are unsure which service can help, call NHS 111. This includes when your GP is closed or you cannot get the help you need. NHS 111 can direct you to an appropriate local service. You can call even if you are not sure whether symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- Rapidly spreading painful skin, dark skin, extensive blistering or peeling with severe illness.
- Swelling around an eye with reduced sight, a bulging eye or painful eye movements.
- Rapid deterioration with confusion, collapse or severe breathing difficulty.
- Severe difficulty breathing, such as gasping or being unable to speak normally.
- New confusion or not making sense when speaking.
- Being very difficult to wake.
- Collapse or loss of consciousness.
- Blue, grey, unusually pale or blotchy skin or lips, especially when feeling very unwell.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
Sources
- NHS - Impetigohttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/impetigo/
- NHS - How pharmacies can helphttps://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/
- NHS - When to go to an Urgent Treatment Centrehttps://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-visit-an-urgent-treatment-centre/
- NICE NG153 - Impetigohttps://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng153/chapter/Recommendations
- NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
- NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/