NHS Pharmacy First Service

Impetigo

We might be able to help if you:

• Are an adult, or suspect impetigo in a child aged 1 or older
• Have red sores and blisters on the skin
• Have blisters that have popped and left crusty, golden-brown patches that could:Look like cornflakes on your skinGet biggerCause itchingSpread to other areas of your bodySometimes be sore and tender to touch

This service isn't suitable for pregnant individuals under 16 years old who should instead make an appointment to see their doctor. 

You'll also need to contact your GP if you keep getting impetigo infections.

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Infected insect bites

We might be able to help if you:

• Are an adult, or suspect a child in your care over 1 year old has developed an infected insect bite
• Were bitten more than 2 days ago
• Notice the bite site is:RedPainful or tender to touchSwollenWarm or hot to the touchTurning red and the redness is spreading to the surrounding skinWeeping, or there’s puss coming from the affected area

This service isn't suitable for pregnant individuals under 16 years old who should instead make an appointment to see their doctor. 

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Shingles

We might be able to help if you:

• Are an adult aged 18 or over

Are showing symptoms including:

• A tingling or painful sensation on an area of your skin
• Feeling generally unwell and experiencing headache
• Developing a blotchy rash within a few days of the two previous symptoms (usually on the chest or tummy, but it can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, eyes, or genitals).

Shingles rash appears only on one side of your body. A rash spanning both the left and right side of your body will most likely be a sign of a different condition, and we’d recommend
speaking to your GP or calling NHS 111.

You should also speak to your GP if you suspect shingles and you’re pregnant.

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Sinusitis

We might be able to help if:

• You’re an adult or suspect a child in your care aged 12 or over may have sinusitis
• You’re getting over a recent episode of cold or flu (sinusitis is common following a viral infection like this)

You have the following symptoms:

• A cough
• Toothache
• Raised temperature (above 38C)
• A headache with pressure, pain, or tenderness around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead
• Green or yellow-coloured snot
• A reduced sense of smell
• Blocked nose

This service isn't suitable for pregnant individuals under 16 years old who should instead make an appointment to see their doctor. 

You’ll also need to speak to your GP if you have a compromised immune system or your symptoms have been ongoing for over 12 weeks (chronic sinusitis).

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Sore throat

We might be able to help if you:

• Are 18 or over, or have a child aged 5 and above with a sore throat

Have symptoms including:

• A raised temperature (above 38C)
• Pain when swallowing
• Red, inflamed tonsils
• White, streaky patches on the tonsils

This service isn't suitable for pregnant individuals under 16 years old who should instead make an appointment to see their doctor. 

You’ll also need to speak to your GP about your sore throat if it’s been ongoing for 12 months (7 or more episodes in this time).

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Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

 We might be able to help if you:

• Are female and aged between 18-64
• Have symptoms including:Needing to pee more often than usual, including at nightPain or discomfort when peeingAn urgent or sudden need to peeCloudy looking urine

If you notice blood in your pee or pain in your lower tummy area, we’d recommend making an appointment with your GP.

If you experience the following symptoms, ask for an emergency (same-day) or out-of-hours appointment with your GP:

• Kidney pain (tenderness behind the ribs toward the back)
• Feeling and/or being sick
• Flu-like symptoms
• A temperature above 38C
• A temperature below 36C

You’ll also need to speak to your GP about a UTI treatment if you’re pregnant, use a catheter, or have recurring UTIs (2 in the last 6 months, or 3 in the last 12 months).

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