clinician registered in your province
Every assessment is reviewed by a clinician registered in your province, trained in health conditions prescribing.
C
Care365
online health care in Ontario
Impetigo Treatment Online — online health care in Ontario
See a licensed healthcare professional online for impetigo — no waiting room, no travel.
Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection that shows up as red sores, often on the face, hands, or around the nose and mouth, that quickly burst and form a distinctive honey-colored, crusty coating. It spreads easily through direct skin contact or shared items like towels and toys, which is why it's so common in young children and can move quickly through households, daycares, and schools. Most cases are limited to a small area of skin and clear up well with prompt topical treatment, but because it's contagious, getting it treated quickly matters for everyone around the affected person too.
clinician registered in your province
Usually responds within 24 hours
Prescriptions sent directly
CCare365
Care365 workflowComplete assessment → clinical review → prescription sent when appropriate.
Quick Self-Check
Answer a few quick questions. This isn't a diagnosis — a real clinical assessment is the next step either way.
How We Work
A Care365 online clinical consult can assess photos of the affected skin to confirm impetigo looks localized and typical, then prescribe a topical antibiotic ointment along with clear guidance on hygiene measures to stop it spreading to other family members. The assessment also checks for signs the infection is more extensive or the person is systemically unwell -- situations that need in-person care rather than a virtual-only prescription.
Complete a short online assessment
Answer real, condition-specific questions — takes a few minutes, no appointment needed to start.
A licensed clinical reviews your answers
A real clinician registered in your province reviews your case, with a response within 24 hours of booking in most cases — not an automated approval.
Get your treatment plan
When appropriate, your prescription is sent directly to your preferred pharmacy, with clear next steps.
Why Choose Care365?
Fast, Real Assessments
No generic templates — your answers are reviewed by a real person, with a response within 24 hours of booking in most cases.
Secure & Private
Your information is encrypted and only seen by the clinical reviewing your case.
Prescriptions Sent Directly
When appropriate, your prescription goes straight to your preferred pharmacy — no extra trip needed.
Common Symptoms
- Red sores that appear around the nose, mouth, face, or hands
- Sores that quickly burst and ooze
- A honey-colored, crusty coating over the sores
- Itching around the affected skin
- A small number of patches limited to one area
- Sores that spread to nearby skin through scratching or touching
- Redness that stays limited to the sore itself rather than spreading widely
Treatment Options
These options may be prescribed by a Care365 clinician after a real assessment — this is general information, not a recommendation to use any specific medication without one.
| Medication | Class | Route | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mupirocin 2% ointment | Topical antibiotic | Topical | 5-7 days |
Non-medication options
- Gentle cleansing to soften/remove crusts
- Keep lesions covered; hand hygiene; avoid sharing towels — Exclude from school/daycare until 24h after starting treatment.
Everything in One Place
- Easy online scheduling — submit your assessment in minutes
- Real clinical review, not an automated approval
- Prescriptions sent directly to your preferred pharmacy when appropriate
- 100% virtual — no travel, no waiting room
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if impetigo is spreading, and when should my child stay home from school?
Impetigo is considered contagious until about 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment, so keeping your child home from school or daycare until that point, along with hand hygiene and not sharing towels, helps prevent it spreading to others.
Can impetigo be treated with a cream, or does it always need oral antibiotics?
Localized impetigo with just a few small patches typically responds well to a topical antibiotic ointment. More widespread involvement, larger patches, or signs of feeling unwell usually need a different approach, which is why the number and size of patches matters during assessment.
Is impetigo dangerous if someone in the family has a heart condition?
A history of heart valve disease changes how impetigo and other skin infections are managed, since certain bacterial infections carry added risk in that situation -- that's assessed carefully rather than treated the same as a routine case.
Why does impetigo look crusty and yellow?
The honey-colored crust forms as the fluid from burst blisters dries on the skin -- it's a classic and fairly recognizable feature of impetigo, which helps distinguish it from other skin conditions.
What if the redness is spreading quickly or my child has a fever?
Rapidly spreading redness, fever, or looking generally unwell suggests the infection may be more extensive than typical impetigo, and needs prompt in-person assessment rather than a routine virtual consult.
Impetigo Can Be Treated
Complete a real assessment online — a licensed Ontario clinical reviews your case and arranges treatment and prescription support when appropriate.
Start a visit request