Every year, I suffer with very bad hayfever that won’t budge with any of the at-home remedies I try. The symptoms hit hard - headaches, sneezing fits, relentless coughing, and that awful itch in my throat. 

Desperate for relief, I called my GP, only to be told it’d be another week for an appointment. Frustrated, I decided to try a nearby pharmacy instead. 

The pharmacist was great and incredibly helpful. She came out to speak to me, asking me about my symptoms, gave me a quick check, and then recommended some treatment. Within an hour of making the initial phone call to my GP, I was back home with some antihistamine tablets and a steroid nasal spray. 

Now, I realise just how much pharmacists can do. Their expertise and efficiency were impressive. I’ll definitely be consulting them more often before heading to my GP. 

I have learned that pharmacist are qualified healthcare professionals who can address a variety of common issues if you’ve got any of the following, head to your pharmacist for: 

• Insect bites
• Aches and pains 
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) 
• Sore throat and coughs 
• Colds and flu 
• Earache 
• Cystitis 
• Skin rashes and red eye 
• Teething