Impetigo treatment online: golden crusts, school rules and same-day antibiotics

Golden crusts around a child's nose or mouth, often appearing from nowhere over a weekend, usually mean one thing: impetigo. It is the most common bacterial skin infection in young children, it spreads fast through households and classrooms, and it is one of the easiest conditions for an online GP to assess: the appearance is usually diagnostic from a clear photo, and treatment can be prescribed to your local pharmacy the same day. At The Online GP by The Wellness, consultations are with UK-registered doctors, so you do not need to wait days for a surgery slot while it spreads.

What impetigo is

Impetigo is a superficial skin infection caused by bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus or streptococci, entering through small breaks in the skin such as scratches, eczema patches or insect bites. The classic form starts as red sores or blisters, typically around the nose and mouth, which burst and leave the characteristic golden, honey-coloured crusts. A less common bullous form causes larger fluid-filled blisters. It is not dangerous in most cases, but it is genuinely contagious and rarely clears quickly without treatment.

How contagious is it, really?

Very, through touch, shared towels, bedding and close contact, and children scratch it and spread it to new patches on themselves. Current UK guidance is that children with impetigo should stay off school or nursery until the sores have crusted or healed, or until 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment. Siblings and adults in the household can catch it too. Wash hands after touching the area, do not share towels or flannels, and keep nails short to limit scratching.

When it is not simple impetigo

Most impetigo is straightforward, but some situations need prompt in-person assessment: a baby under one year old, sores spreading quickly despite treatment, fever or a child who is unwell in themselves, redness spreading into the surrounding skin, or recurrent impetigo that keeps returning, which can signal an underlying skin condition such as eczema that needs its own plan. Your online doctor screens for all of these and directs you to same-day in-person care when needed.

How an online GP can help today

With The Online GP by The Wellness, you can speak to a doctor the same day. Your doctor assesses the skin by video or from a clear photo, confirms whether it is impetigo and which treatment fits, and prescribes electronically to a pharmacy you choose. You will also get clear guidance on school exclusion, contagion control at home, and when to expect improvement. A phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150, and an in-person appointment at our Marylebone clinic is £220. Not sure whether the rash fits? Message us on WhatsApp for a free triage and we will point you to the right next step.

Treatment your doctor may prescribe

Topical treatment. For localised, non-bullous impetigo, current NICE guidance supports hydrogen peroxide 1% cream as a first option, or a topical antibiotic such as fusidic acid where peroxide is unsuitable or has not worked. Topical treatment avoids the side effects of tablets and works well when the infection is limited.

Oral antibiotics. For widespread impetigo, bullous impetigo, or cases where topical treatment has failed or is impractical, a short course of oral antibiotics such as flucloxacillin is the usual choice, with alternatives for penicillin allergy.

Skin care alongside. Gently washing off crusts, keeping the skin clean, and not picking at sores all speed recovery. If eczema or another skin condition opened the door to infection, treating that too reduces recurrence.

What does online impetigo treatment cost?

With The Online GP by The Wellness, a phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150, and an in-person consultation is £220. Private walk-in clinics in London commonly charge £100 to £250 for the same short appointment before any prescription costs. Your prescription is sent to a normal pharmacy, where you pay the pharmacy's own price for the medicine.

Why choose The Online GP by The Wellness

Every consultation is with a UK-registered, GMC-registered doctor, not an automated questionnaire. Same-day appointments run seven days a week, which matters when nursery is calling, prescriptions go straight to your chosen pharmacy, and if the rash needs in-person or specialist assessment, we say so immediately. You can also read about our same-day private GP appointments, private GP consultations for children, and evening and weekend appointments.

To get treated today, call 020 3951 3429, email team@thewellnesslondon.com or book an appointment online.

Frequently asked questions

Can an online GP diagnose and treat impetigo?

Yes, in most cases. The appearance is usually diagnostic from a clear photo or video, and your doctor can prescribe topical or oral antibiotics electronically to a pharmacy you choose, with clear advice on school exclusion and contagion control.

What do impetigo sores look like?

Red sores or blisters, typically around the nose and mouth, that burst and leave golden, honey-coloured crusts. A less common bullous form causes larger fluid-filled blisters. If the rash looks different, your doctor will tell you what else it could be.

How long is impetigo contagious?

Until the sores have crusted or healed, or until 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment, whichever comes first. Current UK guidance is that children should stay off school or nursery during this period.

Does impetigo always need antibiotics?

Most cases are treated to speed healing and stop it spreading, but treatment is not always antibiotic tablets: for localised patches, NICE supports hydrogen peroxide 1% cream or a topical antibiotic first. Your doctor matches the treatment to how much skin is affected.

Can adults get impetigo?

Yes. It is most common in young children but adults catch it too, especially in close-contact households, after skin breaks, or with underlying skin conditions. Treatment is the same and an online GP can prescribe it just as quickly.

How much does online impetigo treatment cost in London?

At The Online GP by The Wellness, a phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150 and an in-person appointment is £220. The prescription is sent to a local pharmacy, where you pay the pharmacy price for the medicine.

This article is for information and does not replace personal medical advice. Written by The Wellness Team and medically reviewed by The Wellness Clinical Team. Last updated October 2026.