Cold sores & impetigo have some symptoms in common, but they differ in severity & are both highly contagious
Impetigo and cold sores both cause blisters. Cold sores normally occur around the mouth and consist of a number of very small blisters, close together. Impetigo can occur on the face and other parts of the body. It causes larger blisters that can spread over a greater area.
Both conditions are easy to treat and should heal in full within seven to 10 days. However, both spread easily and it’s important to take precautions to prevent anyone else from catching them.
What is impetigo?
Impetigo is a common and highly infectious skin condition, where the skin breaks out in red sores and yellow crusty patches. It usually appears on the face, around the mouth and nose, but can also appear on your hands and feet.
Impetigo can spread easily to other parts of the body and to anyone who may have been in close contact. If you or your child has impetigo, you should avoid work or school and stay at home during the infectious stage.
What are common impetigo symptoms?
The main symptoms of impetigo are red sores and blisters, along with itchy, sore skin. These sores and blisters will eventually burst, creating crusty, golden-brown patches.
You should avoid touching any affected areas of skin and wash your hands immediately if you do touch them.
How do you treat impetigo?
Contact your GP and tell them you believe you or your child has impetigo, as they may prefer to do a phone consultation rather than see you in person.
As impetigo usually infects skin that is already damaged, try to keep scratches, cuts and insect bites clean by washing them with warm water and soap. It’s also a good idea to get treatment for other skin conditions like eczema that cause broken skin.
You can also access treatment through our Boots Online Doctor Impetigo Infection Service*. After completing an online consultation, a clinician will review your answers and provide advice and prescribe treatment if appropriate and suitable for you.
What is a cold sore?
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Many people catch the virus when they’re young after close skin-to-skin contact with someone else who has a cold sore.
Once someone has the virus, it remains in their body for the rest of their life. Symptoms often don’t appear until you are older. Some people may rarely develop a cold sore, others can develop them more often.
Some people find that their cold sores have a trigger, such as illness, menstrual periods or sunshine.
What are the symptoms of a cold sore?
The first signs of a cold sore are a tingling, itching or burning feeling on the face, usually around the mouth. Over the next 48 hours, small blisters will appear. These will eventually burst and crust over into a scab.
Cold sores are very infectious. You should avoid close facial contact with anyone until the sore has healed and wash your hands after touching the cold sore.
How do you treat a cold sore?
Cold sores will normally heal on their own within 10 days, although it’s important to note that they stay infectious until they have healed completely.
Cold sore creams and cold sore patches are available that can help to soothe and heal cold sores, and can be used as soon as you feel the symptoms. You can also ask a pharmacist for an antiviral treatment if a cold sore is particularly uncomfortable.
If the sore does not heal after 10 days, is large and painful, or you feel a swelling inside your mouth, you should speak to your GP.
How can your pharmacist help?
If you’re seeking advice or treatment for cold sores, you can go to your pharmacist first. Pharmacists are experts in medicine and can give you the advice you need to help treat cold sores.
If you take a visit to your local Boots pharmacy, an appointment is usually not needed to speak to a member of our pharmacy team. During busier periods, a pharmacist may not be available and waiting times can vary.
Your pharmacist may:
• Ask you questions about your symptoms
• Give advice on how to manage cold sores symptoms effectively
• Recommend treatment options such as creams to ease irritation, antiviral creams to assist healing and cold sore patches to protect the skin
• Refer you to another healthcare professional, like your GP, for further medical review or specialist care
If you would like to speak in private most of our stores have a private consultation room where you can speak to a member of our pharmacy team discreetly.
If our pharmacist feels your symptoms require further support or advice they may refer you to another healthcare professional, such as your GP.
*Charges apply.
