Checking Your Health

Pharmacists

Pharmacists are trained experts working in high street pharmacies and hospitals, who issue medicines prescribed by doctors. High street pharmacists dispense over-the-counter (OTC) medicines without prescription.

What they do

When you're under the weather, a visit to the pharmacist is a good place to start. You don't need an appointment, so it's quicker than seeing your GP.

Your pharmacist should be able to advise you on which medicine to take and whether it's necessary to see your GP. The assistants in a pharmacy are trained to help too, so don't feel it's only the pharmacist you can approach.

If you want to talk to your pharmacist about a sensitive or embarrassing problem, most have an area where you can talk in private. Just ask to have a 'quiet word'. Alternatively, you may be able to phone ahead to schedule a time for a chat.

How can they help?

Here are some of the common minor ailments a pharmacist can help you with:

• Infections - coughs, colds, flu, sore throats
• Skin - dandruff, spots, minor infections, verrucas, corns, athlete's foot, eczema
• Stomach - diarrhoea, nausea, constipation, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome
• Injuries - minor cuts and bruises, strains and sprains
• Allergies - hay fever, rhinitis, dermatitis
• Pain - headache, toothache, muscle pains
• Children - teething, colic, head lice, nappy rash
• Women - period pains, premenstrual symptoms, cystitis, thrush

Health Checks

Your pharmacist may provide health checks for the following conditions:

• Blood pressure
• Asthma (use of inhaler, peak-flow measurement)
• Diabetes
• Cholesterol
• Pregnancy
• Emergency contraception