Better2Know Sexual health & STIs

Blemish Screen

This swab test checks for herpes, HPV and syphilis in a visible lump, wart, blister or rash in your genital area, rather than screening for infections with no symptoms. It suits you if you have a specific blemish you want investigated confidentially.

Sample
Swab
Collection
Genital swab sample at clinic or nurse visit
Results in
5 days
Biomarkers
4
Tests for
  • Syphilis
  • Herpes 1
  • Herpes 2
  • HPV

Test specifications

Provider
Better2Know
Sample type
swab
Collection method
genital swab sample at clinic or nurse visit
Turnaround time
5 days
Biomarkers tested
4
At-home test
No
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

This screen is designed for a specific lump, wart, blister, rash or other blemish in the genital area, taking two swabs of the affected area to test for syphilis, herpes type 1 and 2, and HPV (genital warts). It is aimed at investigating a visible symptom rather than screening for infections with no symptoms.

With four biomarkers, this places in the 75th percentile for clinical depth among sexual health tests we track, one of the broader targeted panels in this category. At £295, it is about 71% above the £172.50 median for similarly sized sexual health tests, which is the main reason its value for money score is low despite the wider marker coverage.

Two swab samples are taken during your appointment, with the provider stating results within five working days and a nurse-visit option available alongside the clinic. Trust signals reflect Better2Know's Trustpilot score of 4.2 from 775 reviews, its CQC registration and more than 18 years trading, while results are not doctor-reviewed as standard, which affects the results and follow-up score.

Who is it for?

This could suit you if you have noticed a specific lump, wart, blister or rash in your genital area and want it tested confidentially for the most common causes, herpes, HPV and syphilis, without going through your regular GP. It may be less suited if you have no visible symptoms and want a general sexual health screen instead, since this test is built around investigating a blemish specifically; other STIs can be added at an extra cost if needed.

How it works

A clinician takes two swab samples from the affected area during your appointment. Better2Know sends the samples to its laboratory to test for syphilis, herpes 1 and 2, and HPV. The provider states results are ready within five working days and are viewed in a secure online patient area 24 hours a day; results are not doctor-reviewed as standard, though the provider can arrange doctor access to treatment if a result is positive.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Covers four markers, herpes 1, herpes 2, HPV and syphilis, from one appointment.
  • A nurse can also take the swabs during a home visit.
  • Results published in the online patient area 24 hours a day as they come in.
  • Built specifically around investigating a visible blemish, not a generic panel.

Cons

  • At £295, about 71% above the £172.50 median for similar sexual health tests we track.
  • Results are not doctor-reviewed unless you arrange this separately.
  • Does not cover other STIs, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea, unless added separately.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Four-marker blemish swab, broader than most single tests
Editorial confidence: 9.0/10

At £295, Better2Know's Blemish Screen tests a genital swab from you for herpes, HPV and syphilis, ranking in the 75th percentile for clinical depth among sexual health tests we track. That price is about 71% above the median for similarly sized sexual health tests, and your results are not doctor-reviewed 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 4.0/10

    A swab sample taken at a clinic; a home nurse visit is offered; 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 2.9/10

    £295.00 against a median of £172.50 for the 64 similarly sized sexual health tests we track (+71%).

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

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