Your GP, nurse or pharmacist will not generally give you a prescription for over the counter medicines for a range of short-term, minor health concerns. Instead, over the counter medicines are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket in your local community.
Many pharmacies are open during evenings and weekends, so they are a convenient place to get health advice instead of waiting for a GP appointment. Almost all pharmacies have a private consultation room. You can find your nearest pharmacy and get advice and information on how to treat a range of common ailments by visiting www.nhs.uk
GPs, nurses or pharmacists will also generally no longer prescribe probiotics and some vitamins and minerals. You can get these from eating a healthy, varied and balanced diet, or buy them at your pharmacy or supermarket.
Self-Care of Common Illnesses
The team of qualified healthcare professionals at your local pharmacy can offer clinical advice to safely and effectively manage minor health concerns. This includes:
- Athletes foot
- Acute sore throat
- Antihistamines
- Conjunctivitis
- Coughs, colds and nasal congestion
- Cradle cap
- Dandruff
- Diarrhoea (adults)
- Dry eyes / sore tired eyes
- Earwax
- Excessive sweating
- Haemorrhoids
- Head lice
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Infant colic
- Infrequent cold sores of the lip
- Infrequent constipation
- Infrequent migraine
- Insect bites and stings
- Mild acne
- Minor burns and scalds
- Mild cystitis
- Mild dry skin
- Mild irritant dermatitis
- Mild to moderate hay fever
- Minor pain, discomfort and fever (e.g. aches and sprains, headache, period pain, back pain)
- Mouth ulcers
- Nappy rash
- Oral thrush
- Prevention of tooth decay
- Ringworm
- Sunburn
- Sun protection
- Teething and mild toothache
- Threadworms
- Travel sickness
- Warts and verrucae
Be Prepared
Check your medicine cabinet and make sure you have the following basics to hand when you need them. Any out-of-date medicines should be returned to your pharmacy.
- Painkillers (tablets and liquids), such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Antihistamines for allergies
- Rub-on painkilling gel
- Oral rehydration sachets
- Indigestion remedies
- Laxatives
- Anti-diarrhoea medicine
- Cream or spray to treat insect bites, stings, cuts and grazes
- Plasters and dressings
By keeping a selection of essential medications at home you can treat common conditions in a timely manner, avoid unnecessary trips to see your doctor or visits to A&E. For more information visit the NHS website www.nhs.uk/OTCmedicines
