Impetigo .. treatment

Yes, I have had it about five years ago. I caught it off my gay housemate's boyfriend (really, really don't ask, it's not as bad as it sounds).

Get yourself an appointment at the doctors asap (out of hours isn't necessary, as long as you don't share towels or get up close and personal to someone else) - but it is very infectious and you'll need a prescription to clear it. There's nothing really you can do in the meantime except keep it clean, keep your hands off it (hard, I know) and boil wash your face flannel, etc, after use.

I left it too long before getting treatment (I didn't realise what it was) and now, although it's gone and the infection cleared years ago, I'm still prone to rashes and my skin is much more sensitive.

ETA, poor you - it's horrible. Hope you get it sorted soon.

Does this mean OH has to sleep on the sofa tonight?? ?

Thanks for the advice. I'll ring first thing. Jsut wish I knew how I got it!

Make him wear a bag on his head ?

Strangely, my housemate never caught it, even though it was his boyfriend - so I guess some people are more resistant to it. But for the unlucky ones like you and me, you can catch it easily. Not an expert, but I think it's very easily spread through broken skin, so as long as he doesn't have any of those, it's less likely he'll get it - but ideally you shouldn't be sharing the same bed, no. You might want to google it to check transmission and precautions, though, as it was a long time ago for me.

(worries that this means I may have slept with gay housemate's boyfriend by accident when drunk}

Thanks, guess I'll bring him some pillows and a spare quilt downstairs. He'll get the message then!!

Thanks for the advice.

I caught this whilst on holiday a few years ago. Didn't know what it was or how infectious it was and it spread over my body (i think from rubbing on sun lotion). I looked like a leper!! Go to the dr's as soon as you can. I was given antibiotics and a cream to apply, cleared up after a week or so. Dread to think what i would have looked like if i hadn't got it treated!

It's a blooming pain in the ass. I get it every now and then and it's just horrible. Doctor's give me an antibiotic cream which will clear it up in a few days. Don't put anything on it now, just wait for the doctors tomorrow.

I never catch it off anyone else and strangely H never catches it off of me.

My son had it about 3 years ago. He had to have that horrid thick yellow antibiotic medicine. Hope yours clears up soon.