Pharmacy First - Advice and treatment for shingles

Without seeing a doctor, anyone over the age of 18 can get guidance and NHS-funded* shingles treatment.
 

Shingles treatment and guidance

Through the Pharmacy First Service, Clayton Pharmacy provides qualified patients with guidance and NHS-funded shingles treatment. Appointments can now be made online.

It is crucial to have an antiviral treatment as soon as possible if your symptoms are suggestive of a shingles infection, if clinically suitable, in order to lessen the illness's severity and persistence.
 

Who can benefit from the Free NHS Pharmacy First Service's shingles guidance and treatment?

For those who are 18 years of age or older, the Pharmacy First Service offers shingles advice and treatment. Your eligibility for the NHS Pharmacy First Service, which is free, will be evaluated by the pharmacy staff. The pharmacy staff may refer you to another health care professional or suggest a private service or therapy if you are ineligible.

For the Pharmacy First shingles treatment, Clayton Pharmacy is now accepting online appointments. To choose a time and day that works for you, click the "Book Appointment" option above.
 

What is Shingles?

Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. When an individual is infected with chickenpox, the virus stays in their body in an inactive form. The inactive virus can become activated due several reasons, causing shingles.
The varicella-zoster virus is the one that causes chickenpox and then reactivates to produce shingles.
 

What Are the Primary Shingles Symptoms?

A painful rash is the result of a viral infection called shingles. The same virus that causes chickenpox also causes it. When someone has chickenpox, the virus remains in their body in an inactive state. Shingles can result from the latent virus becoming active for a variety of reasons.

The initial signs of shingles include:
* Painful feeling in an area of the skin
* Having a headache or feeling unwell

Usually, the rash shows up a few days later. The rash can develop anywhere on the body, including the face, eyes, and genitalia, but it usually appears on the chest or stomach.
Usually, the rash appears on one side of the body.
 

Which shingles treatments are offered by the Pharmacy First Service?

During a consultation, one of the pharmacists will evaluate your symptoms. If treatment is clinically acceptable and you qualify for the Pharmacy First Service, you might be offered it.
Antiviral tablets (for the treatment of shingles (herpes zoster) infection)
*If you are issued a prescription medicine, you will pay the standard NHS prescription charge unless you’re eligible for free prescriptions.
If the pharmacist is unable to offer treatment through this service, they will recommend an alternative or sign-post you to another service.
Want to learn more about shingles? Check out the NHS webpage for up-to-date advice and information on sore throat.
 

Advice and treatment for other common conditions

Shingles is one of seven common disorders for which eligible individuals can receive free advice and treatments through the NHS's Pharmacy First Service. This service is available to patients at Clayton Pharmacy. This service also covers the following six conditions:
-> Earache
-> Impetigo
-> Infected insect bites
-> Sinusitis
-> Sore Throat
-> Uncomplicated UTI