Spreading redness, heat and pain around a bite, a nail or on the lower leg usually means a bacterial skin infection. Our pharmacist can assess it and, where suitable, supply a five-day antibiotic course the same day.
A 15-minute consultation with a GPhC-registered pharmacist. Supplied under a Patient Group Direction — the same medicine a GP would prescribe.
The pharmacist examines the area — size, spread, warmth, any pus or streaking — and marks the edge so you can see if it grows.
Rapid spread, fever, feeling very unwell, or infection near the eye or joint needs a doctor or A&E, and we’ll say so.
Flucloxacillin four times a day for five days, with advice on when to come back or seek urgent care.
The pharmacist checks the full criteria at your consultation. If this service isn’t right for you, we’ll tell you what is — and there’s nothing to pay.
Only branches that offer this service are shown. Prefer to walk in? Just come to the counter — a booking guarantees the pharmacist is free.
No. NHS Pharmacy First covers infected insect bites for ages 1 and over, free. This private service adds cellulitis of the lower leg and paronychia, which the NHS pathway doesn’t cover, for adults.
You should see the redness stop spreading within 48 hours. If it’s spreading, you develop a fever or feel worse, get urgent medical help.
Flucloxacillin is a penicillin, so this service isn’t suitable. Please see your GP or use NHS 111.
Read more: Cellulitis and infected bites: spotting them early · Infected insect bite: how to tell, what to do, and when it needs antibiotics
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