Self Treatment
Self Help for Minor Ailments
Every year, millions of us visit our GP with minor health problems that our local pharmacist could resolve. It is estimated that every year, 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as:
- Coughs and Colds
- Mild Eczema
- Athlete's Foot
But by visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble. Instead of booking and waiting for a GP appointment, you can visit your local pharmacist any time: just walk in.
All pharmacists can recognise many common health complaints. They can give advice or, where appropriate, over the counter medicines that will help to clear up the problem. If your problem is more serious and needs the attention of a GP, your pharmacist will recognise this and advise you to see your GP. What’s more, many pharmacies are open in the evenings and on the weekends. If everybody went to a pharmacist with common health problems, more time would be freed for our GPs. This might make it easier to get a convenient appointment with your GP next time you need one.
So if you have a common health problem, a trip to your pharmacy is an option.
- Children aged 2-10 years old**
- Pregnant Women
- Anyone who suffers from a longterm medical condition
- Everyone aged 65 and over
- People who act as carers or work in health and social care
- Close contacts of immune-compromised individuals
- Those in long stay residential care homes
- Aches and pains
- Allergies
- Athlete's Foot
- Backache
- Cold Sores
- Constipation
- Coughs and Colds, including nasal congestion and sore throat
- Earache
- Diarrhoea
- Haemorrhoids
- Hay Fever
- Headaches
- Indigestion
- Mouth Ulcers
- Nappy Rash
- Skin conditions such as, mild acne and eczema
- Teething
- Threadworms
- Warts and Verrucas
Some pharmacies can provide truss fittings, stoma products and incontinence supplies.
Ask Your Pharmacist
Your GP, Walk-in Centre or A&E
- Head injuries or loss of consciousness
- Infected wounds and foreign bodies
- Lacerations, cuts, fractures, severe sprains and strains
- Muscle and joint injuries including, strains and sprains
- Overdose or poisoning
- Persistent chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Suspected broken bones or heavy blood loss
- Suturing or wound and dressing care
Go to your GP, a walk-in centre or accident and emergency for any of the following:
Minor Ailment Services
Some pharmacies run a minor ailment service, which means that they can supply medicines for certain specific conditions on the NHS. It’s up to your local NHS to decide whether pharmacies in your area provide these services. If your pharmacy runs a minor ailment service for eczema, for example, it means that your pharmacist can supply medicines for this condition, and you’ll only pay the standard prescription charge. Or if you’re exempt from paying prescription charges, for example because you’re over 60, you won’t pay for the medicine.
Use the NHS Find Services search below to look for pharmacies in your area. Each pharmacy listing on NHS comes with a ‘Services’ tab which should list the minor ailment service if the pharmacy has one.
Or simply ask at your local pharmacy.
[This Data is part of the NHS Choices Website for Treating Common Conditions.]