Impetigo? No Problem!

Impetigo is a very contagious skin condition but thankfully is not usually serious. It is possible to be infected at any age but is most common in young children. It is usually advised that you stay away from work and in the case of children school or nursery for at least 48 hours after you have started treatment or when the patches dry and crust over. So, what happens if you’re about to jet off to sunnier climes?

One of the most important actions to take is to purchase a travel insurance policy that can provide comprehensive cover should the worst happen. At Direct Travel we are specialists at providing cover for customers with pre-existing medical conditions and our policies include many other benefits. These include cancellation cover, baggage, medical expenses, missed departure and connection, personal money, personal accident and uninhabitable accommodation. Please discuss with our friendly call centre agents to see which benefits are available to you as some of our available policies may not offer all the benefits listed.

If it’s close to your travelling date, you will need to call your airline to confirm their policy on travelling with contagious conditions. You ought to be aware that airlines can refuse to take you or anyone in your party on a flight if they suspect anyone to be unwell. We always advise customers to contact their GP or specialist to discuss their travel plans and check that they are suitable considering their current medical situation.

Impetigo is easier to treat the earlier it is identified so make sure you have contacted your GP for medication and specialist advice about what and when planned activities can be enjoyed, such as swimming.

Our easy to use screening process can give you a quote within minutes. Whether you choose to purchase via our friendly UK based call centre or online, we can soon have you selecting a policy from a selection put together for your specific needs. We will need to ask you and the people you are travelling with a few discreet questions concerning your conditions, so please have to hand details about your diagnosis, any medication you have taken and are currently taking and any treatment you have received. Unfortunately, it is harder to arrange travel insurance if you are awaiting a diagnosis or treatment. To provide peace of mind for patients, a policy which covers family members, and/or a carer may be suitable depending on your circumstances to ensure that everyone is covered appropriately.

Tips and advice for travelling with Impetigo

• Ask you Doctor for advice about travelling and any risk of infection to fellow passengers
• Cover any sores or blisters with loose clothing or gauze bandages
• Keep your hands clean by washing them frequently
• If your child is affected, wash or wipe down toys with detergent and warm water

Finally, if you are travelling to Europe, then it is essential that you carry an EHIC – European Health Insurance Card. Please see our dedicated page for more details - https://www.direct-travel.co.uk/faq/what-is-the-ehic/

This page uses information from the following source:

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/impetigo/