Minor ailments
Pharmacists have a leading role within primary care in the treatment of many common minor ailments with services expanding across the UK.
In order to provide effective advice and treatment for patients, pharmacists need a strong understanding of the common minor ailments, available treatment options and prescribing considerations.
Our collection of resources on minor ailments has been mapped to cover the conditions specified by the Welsh common minor ailments service, NHS Pharmacy First Scotland and Pharmacy First in England. Articles are organised within six categories and you can access the collection by clicking on the tiles above. Readers may also find it useful to take the self-assessment quiz below to help identify areas of interest.
If you have suggestions for further topics that you would like to see included in the minor ailments collection, please contact the research and learning team.
Test your knowledge of minor ailments
Respiratory
Case-based learning: sore throat
Rhinosinusitis: symptoms, diagnosis and management in community pharmacy
Differential diagnosis: cold, flu or COVID-19?
Managing cold and flu during the COVID-19 pandemic
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How to counsel patients on the administration of nasal sprays, drops and ointments and performing nasal irrigation
Hay fever: OTC management
Eye, ear and oral health
Bacterial conjunctivitis: diagnosis and management
Managing dental emergencies in community pharmacy: hard tissue conditions
Vision and eye health in children
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Managing ear problems: hearing loss and tinnitus
How to diagnose and manage primary and secondary earache and ear infections
Pharmacy Technician’s Guide – Dry eye disease: pathophysiology and risk factors
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Tooth eruption and teething in children
Gastrointestinal
Case-based learning: gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in adults
Case-based learning: haemorrhoids
Case-based learning: constipation in adults
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Relief from indigestion: a visual guide
Case-based learning: acute diarrhoea
Diverticular disease and diverticulitis: causes, symptoms and treatment
Make a difference: what you need to know to recommend Movicol
Sponsored featureInfections and parasites
Urinary tract infection in adults: diagnosis, management and prevention
Case-based learning: shingles
Helminth infections: diagnosis and treatment
Case-based learning: impetigo
Over-the-counter treatments for athlete’s foot
Case-based learning: insect bites and stings
Skin and soft tissue infections: risk factors and presentations
Dermatology
Case-based learning: shingles
Case-based learning: acne vulgaris
Case-based learning: psoriasis management in community pharmacy
Recognising common skin conditions in people of colour
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Common dermatological conditions in skin of colour
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Keloid scars: recognition and management
Rashes in children
CNS and pain management
Headache: a visual guide
Advising patients on prevention and management of sporting injuries in the pharmacy
Promoting self-care for acute pain
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Paracetamol use in infants and young children
Motion sickness: causes, prevention and management
Headache: recognition and management
