Choose Self Care and Visit your Pharmacist
Did you know ?
40% of GP appointments and 75% of hospital emergency attendances are for minor conditions which could
be treated at home.
NHS England has published guidance advising GPs to stop routinely prescribing over the counter medicines for 35 common conditions. The advice is to first consult a pharmacist, who is an integral part of the health service and the most appropriate first choice for people that need treatment for common conditions such as:
- Acute sore throat
- Infrequent cold sores of the lip
- Conjunctivitis
- Coughs and colds and nasal congestion
- Cradle cap (seborrhoeic dermatitis – infants)
- Haemorrhoids
- Infant colic
- Mild cystitis
- Mild irritant dermatitis
- Dandruff
- Diarrhoea (adults)
- Dry eyes/sore (tired) eyes
- Earwax
- Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
- Head lice
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Infrequent constipation
- Infrequent migraine
- Insect bites and stings
- Mild acne
- Mild dry skin
- Sunburn
- Sun protection
- Mild to moderate hay fever/seasonal rhinitis
- Minor burns and scalds
- Minor conditions associated with pain, discomfort and/fever (e.g. aches and sprains, headache, period pain, back pain)
- Mouth ulcers
- Nappy rash
- Oral thrush
- Prevention of dental caries
- Ringworm/athletes foot
- Teething/mild toothache
- Threadworms
- Travel sickness
- Warts and verrucae
Probiotics, vitamins and minerals sold as food supplements will also no longer be prescribed, because most people can and should get these from eating a healthy, varied and balanced diet.
Details of your local pharmacy and their opening times can be found here: www.nhs.uk/chemist