Better2Know Sexual health & STIs

Blemish Screen Home Test Kit

This home swab test checks for four infections associated with genital blemishes, lumps or rashes: two strains of herpes, HPV and syphilis. It suits people with visible symptoms in the genital area rather than a routine check with no symptoms.

  • At-home test
  • Subscription available
Sample
Swab
Collection
At-home external swab sample, post to lab; also clinic £295
Results in
5 days
Biomarkers
4
Tests for
  • Syphilis
  • Herpes 1
  • Herpes 2
  • HPV

Test specifications

Provider
Better2Know
Sample type
swab
Collection method
at-home external swab sample, post to lab; also clinic £295
Turnaround time
5 days
Biomarkers tested
4
At-home test
Yes
Doctor reviewed
No
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

4 biomarkers as listed by Better2Know.

STI Blood

  • Syphilis
  • Herpes 1
  • Herpes 2
  • HPV

About this test

The Blemish Screen looks for four causes of visible genital symptoms: herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, human papillomavirus (HPV) and syphilis. Two swabs are taken from the affected skin using a kit posted to your home, then sent to Better2Know's laboratory for analysis. This makes it a symptom-driven test, designed for anyone with a lump, wart, blister or rash in the genital area rather than a general screen for people with no symptoms.

There is no directly comparable rival test recorded in our database for this combination of markers, so we cannot compare it against named peers. On price alone it sits above the middle of the sexual health tests we track generally, at 15% over the typical rate for a test of this size. It scores well for clarity, since Better2Know publishes the full biomarker list, sample type, turnaround and both home and clinic collection options.

The test also scores strongly for collection convenience, since you can do it at home or at a clinic and get results within five working days; that score also reflects Better2Know's Trustpilot rating, CQC registration and long trading history. It loses marks on results and follow-up, because a doctor does not review your results as standard. Better2Know says it can help arrange a doctor consultation if you test positive for syphilis, but this sits outside the base price.

Who is it for?

This test suits people with a visible blemish, sore, wart, blister or rash in the genital area who want to check for herpes, HPV and syphilis without waiting for a GP or sexual health clinic appointment. Because collection is by swab from the affected skin, it works best when a symptom is actually present to sample.

It is not designed as a routine check for people without symptoms, and a positive syphilis result needs separate confirmation testing since this screen cannot tell a new infection from a past one. We do not have a directly comparable rival test on file to weigh it against, so it is worth checking prices and biomarker lists directly if you want a broader sexual health panel rather than a symptom-specific one.

How it works

You collect two swabs yourself from the affected area, following the instructions in the kit, and post them to Better2Know's laboratory using the prepaid envelope; a clinic option is also available for £295 if you would rather have the swabs taken for you. Results are ready within five working days of the sample reaching the lab, and Better2Know contacts you by phone, email or text once they are available; the provider does not state that results are reviewed by a doctor as standard.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Can be done at home with a self-collected swab, or at a clinic for £295.
  • Checks for four causes of genital blemishes: two herpes types, HPV and syphilis.
  • Results are ready within five working days of the lab receiving your sample.
  • Same-day kit dispatch if you order before 4pm on a weekday.
  • Publishes a full biomarker list and clear collection options before you buy.

Cons

  • Results are not reviewed by a doctor as standard.
  • Priced above the typical rate for the sexual health tests we track (+15%).
  • A positive syphilis result needs separate confirmation testing.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score A symptom-specific swab test for genital blemishes
Editorial confidence: 9.0/10

The Blemish Screen is a £199 at-home swab test for two herpes types, HPV and syphilis, designed for people with a blemish, lump, wart or rash in the genital area rather than a routine check with no symptoms. It returns results in five working days, and the swabs can also be taken at a clinic for £295. The main caveat is that a doctor does not review your results as standard.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 9.0/10

    The listing publishes a detailed description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 9.0/10

    4 biomarkers, placing it in the 75th percentile of sexual health tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 7.0/10

    A swab sample you take at home, no needle; results in around 5 days, slower than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 3.0/10

    Results are not doctor-reviewed and no consultation is included; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 6.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.2 from 775 reviews; CQC registered; trading 18+ years.

  • Value for money 5.7/10

    £199.00 against a median of £172.50 for the 64 similarly sized sexual health tests we track (+15%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

More in Sexual health & STIs

View all →
Blue Horizon Medicals

HIV Screening

Broad, at-home HIV screen well under category average price

This test checks for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies plus the p24 antigen, which can be detected earlier than antibodies alone. It suits anyone wanting an at-home check after a possible exposure.

  • At-home test
8.8 / 10
£45.25
Full review →
Blue Horizon Medicals

HIV and Hepatitis Screen

Three-virus screen priced well under category average

This screen checks for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C antibodies in one blood test, covering the three infections most associated with sexual transmission. It suits anyone wanting a combined check in a single sample.

8.7 / 10
£54.25
Full review →