COVID-19: Advice, updates and PCR/Antigen test options.
Need Help? Contact Us

One of the main roles of your local community Pharmacy is to provide face to face advice on many health related issues. If the Pharmacist feels that there is someone who can better assess your needs, they will direct you to that person.

Our Pharmacist can offer advice on medicines and common ailments. Normally you will not need an appointment and can speak in private in a consultation area.

The information provided on this website does not replace medical advice. If you want to find out more, or are worried about any medical issue or symptoms that you may be experiencing, please contact our pharmacist or see your doctor.

Online Health Information:

Acne is a disease of the skin that affects the tiny pores found on the face, back, arms and chest.

It is caused by an abnormal response to the hormone testosterone. Both men and women have testosterone in their blood stream and sometimes it can have a profound effect on the skin. The abnormal response is normally self-limiting (in other words, acne does eventually get better by itself) but it may take several years.

Causes of ACNE:

Acne pimples form when oil glands make too much sebum, an oily substance. A spot forms when a pore through which a hair emerges is blocked by dead skin cells, and the sebaceous or oil gland found at the base of the pore produces too much oil.   The oil gets trapped in the hair channel and solidifies forming a blackhead. The oil gradually builds up around the hair and its root, and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.   These bacteria break down the oil into very irritating chemicals that cause redness, swelling, pain and pus formation, in other words, a spot.   If the inflammation is deep and/or severe, or if a spot is squeezed, the pus can get into the healthy skin which will spread the swelling.

It can result in scarring and the formation of something called a cyst (a ‘well’ of pus that has no connection to the skin surface).   Acne is most common from puberty to the late teens and usually clears up as you get older. Occasionally it is known to persist into the mid twenties or later however, and may even continue into your 40s or 50s. There are a number of common misconceptions about acne – for example it is often said that it is caused by a ‘poor diet’ or by ‘less than adequate personal hygiene’.   In fact there is no proof that either of these alleged causes plays any role in the development of acne.   On the other hand it is now known that acne symptoms can worsen if you squeeze blackheads or spots as this forces the contents of the spot deep into the skin, (For blackheads you should ideally use a tool called a comedone spoon which you can get at your pharmacy). In fact you should never squeeze a spot unless it has a definite “head”.

Treatment:

There is a wide array of preparations available to treat spots and acne from your local Numark Pharmacy. We recommend that you ask for advice before you purchase a product for the first time to ensure you get the right product for you. Other precautionary steps you can take to help prevent or alleviate the condition include: Washing the affected area regularly, but do not over wash as this will dry out the skin and may make the condition worse Using an antibacterial wash or cleansing lotion, again being careful not to over wash Trying to keep to a healthy diet not because it will directly help your acne but because it will keep your skin healthy, which in turn will allow it to heal quicker Avoiding touching the affected are as much as possible. ‘Messing’ with spots can make them worse Lastly, do not get disheartened.

Remember that acne will eventually clear up and there are many products that will help it on its way. If your acne persists despite treatment there are a number of products available on prescription from your GP that can help. If you have concerns about acne ask your Numark Pharmacist for advice.

An estimated nine million people in the UK experience bladder weakness and the popular misconception is that it is only related to the ageing process, this is not necessarily the case.

Bladder weakness is more prevalent in women than in men, with one in three adults experiencing bladder control problems at some point in their lives. There are different types of bladder weakness, also known as urinary incontinence, depending on the cause.

Stress Incontinence:

Stress incontinence is the most common form of bladder weakness. It is caused by physical stress to your pelvic floor muscles which support the bladder and bowel. Leakage can occur as a result of laughing, sneezing, coughing, exercise or even when lifting heavy objects, because these activities cause an increase in abdominal pressure. It can also be triggered during pregnancy. Hormonal changes occurring after the menopause are also known to contribute.

Urge incontinence
occurs due to an overactive bladder, which causes involuntary muscle spasms that force urine out of the bladder. Urge incontinence causes a sudden feeling for the need to use the toilet, or a feeling that a person can’t reach the bathroom in time. Some people may experience both stress incontinence and urge incontinence at different times.

Overflow & drip incontinence
Overflow/drip incontinence is most common in men. It is caused when the bladder doesn’t empty completely, so urine starts to build up and muscles become weak, leading to urine loss drop by drop with little sensation or warning.

Neurogenic incontinence
occurs through damage to the nerves supplying the urinary system. Damage can occur accidentally, sometimes through surgery, or may be associated with degenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis.

Treatment:

Pelvic muscle exercises
Stress incontinence – can be improved greatly by exercising the pelvic floor muscles. These are called pelvic muscle exercises or Kegel exercises; they strengthen the muscles near the urethra, and take only a few minutes a day.

Bladder training
Training the bladder to hold urine better can also decrease the urge to urinate. Following a timetable to store and release urine strengthens the pelvic floor muscles.

Losing weight and keeping active
Sometimes extra weight causes bladder control problems. A good meal plan and exercise programme can lead to weight loss.

Eating and drinking the right things
Certain food and drink make urine control harder. These include caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, or chocolate) and alcohol.

Pharmacy products

Bladder weakness pads and pants are available in all shapes and sizes. A crucial aspect of staying in control of bladder weakness is ensuring the correct protection products are used. Some are suitable for slight leakage whilst others are more absorbent.

Prescription medicines
Your GP can prescribe several different medicines that can help with bladder control problems.

Choosing carefully
More than two million people in the UK use the wrong product to cope with bladder weakness, resorting to feminine products, which are simply not designed to cope with urine. Bladder weakness pads are specifically designed to deal with bladder weakness, they help to neutralise and protect against embarrassing odours, and keep wetness locked away.

There are a wide range of cold and flu remedies available at your local pharmacy. Most of these help relieve specific symptoms. Many contain painkillers that relieve the discomfort of a sore throat or headache, or decongestant ingredients that reduce the inflammation of the mucus membrane in the nose or throat.

Treatment

There are many combination remedies that attack the main cold and flu symptoms.
Some simple tips for preventing cold infection include:

  • Staying away from crowded and enclosed places where the risk of infection is greater.
  • Washing your hands thoroughly after contact with anyone who has a cold to remove traces of the virus possibly transmitted through touch.
  • Keeping rooms well aired.
  • Using alcohol gel and wipes to clean surfaces and hands.

Many people now use vitamin C as a dietary supplement to help releive cold symptoms. Vitamin C has antioxidant and immune boosting properties.

Many vitamin C supplements are also combined with zinc because zinc is believed to have anti-viral properties.

It is thought that if you take zinc within a few hours of the onset of a cold it may help to speed recovery from the infection and reduce symptoms.

Research is still being conducted upon these claims.

A healthy diet is certainly likely to help prevent cold infections because it generally supports the immune system, meaning your defences against viruses will be stronger.

Coughs tend to fall into one of two categories, either dry or chesty. Someone suffering from a chesty cough will expel phlegm and mucus when coughing.

Coughing is simply a natural reflex which keeps our throat and airways clear of blockages.

Therefore a cough normally indicates an inflammation in the respiratory passages which may be the result of an infection like cold or flu. In the case of chesty coughs, it is normally mucus or phlegm on the chest that is coughed up through the duration of the symptoms. Most coughs are described as acute, meaning that they appear suddenly and normally do not last longer than 2-3 weeks.

They are often due to a cold, flu or sinus infection that in turn causes a build-up of phlegm or mucus on the chest. Smoking cigarettes, allergies and asthma are also common causes of coughs.

In some cases a cough can be a symptom of a more serious condition. These could include:

  • Lung infections like pneumonia or acute bronchitis (may start suddenly but then linger on).
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema or chronic bronchitis).
  • Sinusitis.

If your symptoms are persistent or you feel you may be suffering from any of the conditions above, seek advice from your GP. For most people a chesty cough will pass quickly and can be treated by a number of products available from your local community pharmacy. There are a number of remedies available for the different types of cough that most commonly affect people. Many of the remedies available for chesty coughs contain an expectorant. Expectorants work by thinning out the mucus in the sinuses and the throat.

They also stimulate coughing by increasing the level of secretions occurring in the airways. Examples of ingredients which are expectorant include guifenesin and citric acid.

Some cough remedies also contain a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine which relieves swelling in the nasal passages and helps unblock the nose. In some cases, the ingredients in cough remedies can interact with prescription medicines so you should always mention any medicine you are taking to your pharmacist when purchasing a remedy.

You should also never use a cough remedy for longer than is recommended in the patient information leaflet or label. If the phlegm that is expelled is coloured, usually yellow or brown then it could be a sign of a chest infection – speak to your pharmacist about the symptoms.

It is estimated that there are over 200 viruses that cause the common cold.

This large number of viruses has made the development of a single effective cold vaccine impossible thus far. The viruses cause infection by penetrating the mucous membrane in the nose. Most of these infections seldom cause anything more than normal cold symptoms although some can lead to more serious illness.

The common cold is the result of a viral infection within the nose and throat. It causes a barrage of symptoms (familiar to most of us) that include:

  • A runny or blocked nose.
  • Sore throat.
  • Sneezing.
  • Coughing.

Some people may also suffer from a mild fever, headache, earache or tiredness.

The symptoms of flu come quicker than the common cold and can include the some or all of the above symptoms in addition to the following:

  • Sudden fever of 38-40°C (100-104°F).
  • Muscle aches and pains.
  • Sweating.
  • Feeling of exhaustion.
  • Dry, chesty cough.

If you have a fever or high temperature of 38°C (100°F) and two or more of the following symptoms you may have H1N1 Flu commonly known as swine flu:

  • Unusual tiredness.
  • Headache.
  • Runny nose.
  • Sore throat.
  • Shortness of breath or cough.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Aching muscles.
  • Diarrhoea or vomiting.

If you suspect that you may have swine flu then please seek advice from your pharmacist.

Viral Infection:

The viruses that cause the cold are spread by airborne droplets and through touch. A person carrying the infection may carry the virus on their hands after touching their nose and face, and can then transmit this through touch.

A carrier of the virus becomes ‘contagious’ a day or so before their symptoms first appear and for two to three days after the infection.

The cold virus can survive outside of the body for several hours and so hard surfaces such as door handles and telephones can harbour and transmit infection.

There are several myths that are not supported by clinical evidence. These include being exposed to cold temperatures or going outdoors with wet hair.

These myths also known as ‘old wives tales’ tend to come about due to the fact that colds are so much more common during the winter months. This is actually because the climate during the winter months, with low levels of humidity, suits the virus so much more than summer and spring time.

The common cold is also easily transmitted during winter months because people tend to spend more time indoors in enclosed spaces with others.

Treatment & Prevention

There are a wide range of cold and flu remedies available at your local pharmacy. Most of these help relieve specific symptoms. Many contain painkillers that relieve the discomfort of a sore throat or headache, or decongestant ingredients that reduce the inflammation of the mucus membrane in the nose or throat.

There are many combination remedies that attack the main cold and flu symptoms.
Some simple tips for preventing cold infection include:

  • Staying away from crowded and enclosed places where the risk of infection is greater.
  • Washing your hands thoroughly after contact with anyone who has a cold to remove traces of the virus possibly transmitted through touch.
  • Keeping rooms well aired.
  • Using alcohol gel and wipes to clean surfaces and hands.

Many people now use vitamin C as a dietary supplement to help releive cold symptoms. Vitamin C has antioxidant and immune boosting properties.

Many vitamin C supplements are also combined with zinc because zinc is believed to have anti-viral properties. It is thought that if you take zinc within a few hours of the onset of a cold it may help to speed recovery from the infection and reduce symptoms.

Research is still being conducted upon these claims. A healthy diet is certainly likely to help prevent cold infections because it generally supports the immune system, meaning your defences against viruses will be stronger.

Constipation is one of the most common digestive complaints. In general, constipation is when someone goes to the toilet less often than usual, or find it difficult to pass a stool.

It is a change from a person’s usual pattern of bowel movement. Around 1 in 10 people in the UK suffer regularly with constipation. It is common in children and older people and affects women more than men.

Causes:

Common causes of constipation include a lack of dietary fibre, lack of fluid, inactivity, stress and ignoring the urge to go to the toilet. Other causes include some medication (e.g. certain painkillers), some medical conditions such as pregnancy. In pregnancy, hormonal changes affect how quickly food is passed through the digestive system and the increased pressure in the abdomen slows down the passage of waste along the bowels leading to constipation.

In older people, the bowel muscles become weaker, their appetite decreases and some people may take medicines that affect the bowels. This is why elderly people are also prone to constipation. It is fairly common for children to suffer from constipation but it usually clears up within a few days.

Always consult your GP if symptoms are persistent and/or severe. Constipation is often experienced by people when they are travelling or on holiday. This is because their normal routine is interrupted and the biological clock is disrupted. Unfamiliar surroundings, different toilets and change of diet are all contributing factors.

Symptoms:

Passing a motion less often than usual, having to strain to pass a motion, passing ‘rabbit pellets’ that are dry and hard, a feeling of incomplete bowel emptying are all symptoms of constipation.

Sometimes straining may be ineffective and no motion is passed. Bloating, nausea, even vomiting may occur. Straining may cause piles and rectal bleeding.

Chronic (long-term) constipation can lead to a number of problems. Always consult your GP if you suffer from the following:

  • Blood in the stools.
  • Excessive tiredness and lethargy.
  • Unintentional weight loss.

Treatment:

Constipation can be easily treated and you should always start by changing your diet and lifestyle. Eating more fibre and five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, drinking plenty of fluids and taking regular exercise may help. Never ignore the need to go to the toilet. Try to keep stress to a minimum.

If these approaches fail, taking a laxative to stimulate the bowel muscles may be of benefit. These should only be used as a temporary measure. Talk to your pharmacist about any medication you are taking to find out if it may be causing constipation.

Laxatives work in one of four ways:

  • Bulk laxatives (such as bran, sterculia) provide fibre in a concentrated form. They increase weight and volume of the stools whilst they are in your intestines, thus stimulating your bowels to
    move faster. They have to be taken with plenty of water and it can take several days before they have any effect. They are the most approrpriate type of laxative for long term use.
  • Stimulant laxatives (such as senna and bisacodyl) work by increasing contractions of the bowel and can cause tummy cramps. They can work within a matter of hours and are usually taken
    at night to produce a morning bowel action. This type of laxative is inadvisable for long term use and should not be used in children.
  • Osmotic laxatives work by retaining fluid in the bowel, which then softens the faeces. They can
    take two to three days to work.
  • Faecal softeners such as docusate sodium lubricate and soften the stool, making them easier to
    pass and can act within a day.

Children should not be given laxatives without first consulting your GP or pharmacist. You should never take laxatives on a regular basis unless advised to do so by your GP.

Constipation can rarely be a sign of a more serious disease, if you are in any doubt consult your GP.

Prevention:

A number of additional measures can be taken to avoid constipation:

  • Eat plenty of fibre such as bran, wholemeal bread, fruit and vegetables.
  • Have a regular routine in the morning and allow your bowels time to work.
  • Reduce your intake of processed food.
  • Drink more water and avoid caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks.
  • Keep active by exercising regularly.
  • When travelling, consider taking bran supplements, drink bottled water and avoid sitting still
    for too long.

Diarrhoea is the passing of loose or liquid stools frequently. It is often accompanied by abdominal pains, cramps, wind, nausea and occasionally vomiting.

In diarrhoea the movement of bowel contents is much more rapid and the normal reabsorption of water doesn’t take place. The main complication of diarrhoea is suffering from dehydration, itself a major cause of mortality in developing countries. Acute diarrhoea usually occurs suddenly and lasts a short time. Chronic diarrhoea continues for a long period of time. If symptoms persist you should consult your GP.

Common causes of acute diarrhoea include food poisoning, gastroenteritis, anxiety, excess alcohol and intolerance to some foods. IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a condition in which sufferers may experience alternating diarrhoea and constipation symptoms accompanied by stomach cramps over a period of time. If you are experiencing these symptoms for the first time, speak to your GP.

There are also several less common conditions which cause chronic diarrhoea such as ulcerative colitis, Coeliac disease and Crohn’s disease where there is inflammation of the bowel leading to problems with the absorption of food. Some drugs, including antibiotics, can cause diarrhoea as a side effect. Always check with the pharmacist before discontinuing any medication.

Diarrhoea in babies has several causes. Breastfed babies are much more likely to pass very soft stools than those who are bottle fed and should not be mistaken for diarrhoea. Diarrhoea can also be caused by intolerance to lactose (found in cow’s milk). Check with the pharmacist if your child develops diarrhoea as they can become dehydrated very quickly.

You should also consult your pharmacist if:

  • Diarrhoea lasts more than four days (two days in children), with or without treatment.
  • It is accompanied by severe stomach pains.
  • There are signs of dehydration(thirst, dizziness, headache, tiredness).
  • There is blood in the stools.
  • There is unintentional weight loss.

Treatment:

Diarrhoea usually resolves itself after a couple of days. The main problem is loss of water – more may be lost than is being absorbed. It is therefore important that you do not become dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluid – water and clear soups can prevent dehydration.

Rehydration solutions can also help to replace lost fluid and salt and are available from your local community pharmacy. It is usually best to avoid dairy products, coffee and alcohol for 24 hours. Bland foods such as bread, rice and potatoes are better tolerated.
Anti-diarrhoeal medicines such as loperamide can be obtained from your pharmacist for adults and children over 12 years. Never give anti-diarrhoeal medicines to babies and children under 12 without medical advice. Prevention is better than cure; always maintain good standards of personal and food hygiene. Ensuring food is cooked thoroughly will reduce the risk of food poisoning.

If you are taking medication prescribed by your GP and suffer a bout of diarrhoea, it is important to note that the medication may not work as well as it should. This is because it passes through the intestines too quickly for the body to absorb the entire drug. For example, unplanned pregnancies can be caused by the pill not working effectively after a bout of diarrhoea. It is advisable in this situation to use additional methods of contraception.

The eyes are very sensitive organs and can easily become irritated.

The eye is well protected from damage by the surrounding bone and by the speed with which the eyelashes and eyelids close. However, when danger threatens irritants and foreign bodies can still infiltrate the eye and cause a range of problems. Most people will experience some eye trouble at one time or another. Fortunately many of these can be easily treated.

Conjunctivitis:

The conjunctiva is the transparent membrane that covers the white of the eye and the inner surfaces of the eyelids. When this membrane becomes inflamed, it is called conjunctivitis. The affected eye appears red or pink (bloodshot) and may feel gritty. It may run with water and a discharge. The discharge tends to accumulate on the lashes and in the corner of the eye causing them to stick together. If you have conjunctivitis, you may find it hard to open your eyes in the mornings.

Conjunctivitis tends to be either allergic or infectious in nature. Infected conjunctivitis tends to start in one eye first and then progress to the other eye whereas allergic conjunctivitis normally starts in both eyes at the same time. Allergic conjunctivitis can occur as a result of exposure to irritants such as chemicals, dust, pets, or irritation from mascara and eyeliner. Where this is the case, avoiding the irritant is the best solution. An allergy to pollen found in grass, trees and weeds could also cause conjunctivitis (seasonal allergic conjunctivitis). Symptoms include red, itchy eyes accompanied with a clear discharge. Sodium cromoglycate eye drops which are available from your local community pharmacy can help.

Dry Eyes:

The eye depends on a flow of tears to provide constant moisture and lubrication to maintain healthy vision and comfort. Tears are normally a combination of water (for moisture), oils (for lubrication), mucus (for even spreading) and antibodies and special proteins (for fighting infection). Glands located around the eye secrete these components. Dry eye occurs when there is an imbalance of one of these components in the tear system.

Dry eye causes a gritty, hot discomfort in the eyes and a desire to blink excessively; there may be blurred vision. Dry eyes become more common as we get older and are a particular problem in people over the age of fifty. Excessive air conditioning, infrequent blinking, driving and some medications prescribed by the GP can contribute to dry eyes.

Recommended treatments include the use of artificial tears such as hypromellose, which are available from your local community pharmacy. Styes. A stye develops when a gland at the edge of the eyelid becomes infected. They often resemble a pimple on the eyelid and can grow on the inside or outside of the lid. Styes are caused by bacteria known as staphylococcal bacteria, they can occur at any age and although they may be uncomfortable they don’t tend to be harmful. A stye can be painful and red with some swelling and often a pimple with a head can develop. You should never ‘burst’ a pimple in your eye as this can cause further infection.

The affected eye may water and an irritation can occur such as a feeling like something is in the eye or the eye can experience increased light sensitivity. Most styes heal within a few days on their own but there are treatments available, which may help ease irritation, ask your pharmacist for advice.

Cataracts:

If you recognise any of the following symptoms please contact your GP.

A cataract is a gradual clouding or whitening of the lens of the eye.

Most cataracts are a natural part of the ageing process.
Some cataracts can be caused by injury to the eye. It is believed that undue exposure to sunlight can also cause cataracts but this is not certain. The main symptoms of cataracts are:

  • Blurry vision.
  • Being dazzled by lights.
  • Faded colour vision.
  • Difficulty in seeing things.

The only treatment to restore transparency to a lens suffering from a cataract is surgery. This type of operation removes the cloudy interior of the lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. If you experience prolonged eye irritation you should consult your GP.

Migraine is a form of headache which is severe and usually one sided. It is often accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting and sensitivity to light and/or sound.

It tends to occur at intervals of days, weeks or many months with episodes commonly lasting between 4 and 72 hours Migraines most commonly occur in women, usually begin in the teens and can run in families. There are two main types of migraine, classical migraine and common migraine.

Classical Migraine

Classical migraine In this type of migraine, the headache is preceded by a stage of neurological disturbances called the aura. This occurs in about 1 in 5 cases. The aura lasts around 15-¬60 minutes and is often a visual disturbance such as flashes of light, zig zag lines, blind spots etc. It may also include other symptoms including numbness and pins and needles in the arms, legs, face or tongue. Speech may also be temporarily affected.

Common Migraine:

This type of migraine, which occurs most frequently hence the name, is not preceded by an aura and the attack starts with the headache. There is often nausea/vomiting, extreme sensitivity to bright light and loud sounds and a strong desire to go and lie down in a darkened room. There may be stiffness of the neck and shoulders, tingling in the limbs and an inability to concentrate and some sufferers may have difficulty in speaking.

Symptoms:

There are several distinct stages of migraine although not everyone who experiences migraine will go through all the stages:

  • Prodrome stage which includes changes in mood, behaviour, appetite (food cravings) and
    energy levels several hours or even days before and attack.
  • Aura stage which usually lasts less than an hour involving visual, auditory (hearing),
    sensory and physical disturbances.
  • Headache, involving a throbbing pain in the head, sensitivity to light and/or noise, nausea
    and/or vomiting. Symptoms last around 4-72 hours but will eventually go away by
    themselves.
  • Resolution stage whereby the attack usually fades away but some may end suddenly by
    vomiting.
  • There may be a stage of exhaustion, weakness or lethargy.

Causes:

The cause of migraine is unclear and most attacks occur for no apparent reason. However some individuals do notice triggers including:

  • Foods e.g. caffeine, cheeses, chocolate, red wine.
  • Changes in the weather.
  • Tiredness.
  • Physical exhaustion.
  • Stress, anxiety.
  • Hormonal changes e.g. before a period.

Treatment:

For some people simple pain killers such as paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen are sufficient. Some over the counter products contain a painkiller and an anti-sickness drug. These are often more effective than the painkiller alone as migraine is associated with poor absorption from the stomach and the tendency for food and drink to stay in the stomach much longer than usual (prior to being sick). Try to start treatment very quickly at the first symptom of an attack. Effervescent products can be absorbed more quickly. Sumatriptan became available without a prescription in June 2006.

Sumatriptan relieves the pain of a migraine headache as well as other commonly associated symptoms such as sensitivity to light and sound and nausea. It acts like serotonin, the brain chemical involved in migraine, working at the root cause of migraine to help stop an attack. It can stop the headache and can help sufferers get back to normal within two hours.

Prevention:

Exclusion diets may help to prevent migraine attacks provoked by certain foods or drinks. Keeping a ‘food diary’ can help identify triggers. Sometimes relaxation and meditation techniques may be helpful, as may some of the complementary therapies such as feverfew in preventing an attack.

Why choose Us

What Makes Our Services Unique?

Our Experience

No matter what your concern, your first stop is one of our accessible, expert health professionals.

Caring Commitment

We take our commitment to be your health care partner seriously. As primary care providers

Great Facilities

 

Our building design, furnishings, and equipment are all selected to promote and aid in health and healing.

Our Services