Every year millions of us visit our GP's with minor ailments such as coughs, colds, mild eczema and athlete's foot. All of these conditions could be treated by your local pharmacist.
You could save yourself time by speaking to a pharmacist initially who may be able to offer you a treatment and therefore, prevent the need for a doctors appointment.
If your problem is more serious and needs the attention of a GP, the pharmacist will recognise this and advise you to see your GP instead
Your pharmacist may be able to help with:
- skin conditions, such as mild acne and mild eczema
- coughs and colds, including nasal congestion and sore throat
- minor cuts and bruises
- constipation and haemorrhoids (piles)
- hay fever and allergies
- aches and pains, such as headaches, earache and back paid
- indigestion, diarrhoea and threadworms
- period pain and thrush
- warts, verrucas, mouth ulcers and cold sores
- athlete's foot
- nappy rash and teething
If any symptoms persist, you should consult your doctor.
What Are Antibiotics?
Antibiotics are important medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria.
Some bacteria can adapt and survive the effects of the antibiotic drug, in other words it has become "antibiotic resistant" which means that the antibiotic will no longer effectively treat the infection.
Your doctor will only prescribe antibiotics when there is a need to do so. If you are prescribed them you must take the prescribed dose regularly until you have completed the course of drugs given to you.
I Need Antibiotics to Treat my Cough, Cold or Sore Throat
Most common colds and the symptoms associated with them are caused by viruses and will generally get better on their own. Antibiotics will not treat viral infections, which is why your clinician will not prescribe them for a cold, so please do not ask for them.
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
Antibiotics are important medicines for treating bacterial infections in humans and animals. Inappropriate use and prescribing of antibiotics means that these drugs are losing their effectiveness at an increasing rate and bacteria and becoming "resistant" to their effects.
To try to slow down this resistance we all must take action. Antibiotics must;
- only be prescribed where there is a clinical need to do so
- be taken at regular intervals as prescribed until the course of medication has been completed
- not be saved for later or shared with anyone else
The spread of resistant bacteria in hospitals is a major issue for patients' safety. Increases in resistant bacteria will not only extend the length of time a patient may need to stay in hospital, but it will also mean increased levels of disease and numbers of patients who die.
European Antibiotic Awareness Day
Every year European Antibiotic Awareness Day is held on November 18. Public Health England has teamed up with its European counterparts to co-ordinate activities across the country to make everyone aware that they have a part to play in bringing this issue under control.
What Can Patients Do To Help?
Your doctor will only prescribe antibiotics for bacterial infections not viral infections like the common cold. Therefore, please do not ask for antibiotics, let your doctor decide on the best course of treatment for you.
If you are given antibiotics please make sure you take the prescribed amount of medication at regular intervals and ensure you finish the course of treatment fully.
There are several leaflets available offering advice to patients and to help them understand when antibiotics are necessary and when they are not. Please click on the links below to view leaflets.
Get Well Without Antibiotics
When Should I Worry
Antibiotic Guardian Leaflet