Health A-Z
Trusted health information, from A to Z
Quick links to trusted NHS information on common conditions, symptoms and medicines — so you know what to look out for, and when to speak to us.
Conditions
Trusted NHS information on common health conditions — symptoms, causes, treatments and when to get help.
Browse A-ZSymptoms
What a symptom might mean, and clear guidance on when to see a pharmacist, GP, or seek urgent help.
Browse A-ZMedicines
How common medicines work, dosages, side effects, and what to know before you take them.
Browse A-ZPRX Pharmacy guides
Written by our pharmacy team
Practical guides to common conditions we help with every day — what to look out for, what you can do at home, and when to get help.
Sore throat
A sore throat is very common and is usually caused by a virus, such as a cold or flu. Most get better on their own within about a week and do not need antibiotics.
Read the guide →Earache and ear infections
Earache is very common, especially in children. It is often caused by a middle ear infection (acute otitis media), which usually follows a cold. Many ear infections settle by themselves within a few days.
Read the guide →Sinusitis (sinus infection)
Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses — the air-filled spaces behind your cheeks, forehead and nose. It usually follows a cold or flu. Most cases are caused by viruses and clear up without antibiotics, often within 2 to 3 weeks.
Read the guide →Impetigo
Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection. It is most common in young children but can affect anyone. It is usually mild, but it spreads easily, so it is worth treating.
Read the guide →Insect bites and stings (including infected bites)
Most insect bites and stings cause a small, red, itchy or painful lump that settles within a few days. Occasionally the skin is broken by scratching and a bite becomes infected.
Read the guide →Shingles
Shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus waking up again in someone who has had chickenpox. It causes a painful, blistering rash, usually on one side of the body. Treatment works best when it is started early.
Read the guide →Urinary tract infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in part of the urinary system, most often the bladder. It is very common, particularly in women. Mild infections sometimes clear up on their own within a few days, but antibiotics are usually the quickest way to feel better.
Read the guide →Earwax build-up
Earwax is normal and healthy. It protects the ear canal, and it usually works its way out on its own. Sometimes it builds up and blocks the ear, which is very common.
Read the guide →Hay fever
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. It is very common, it can start at any age, and it usually flares up in spring and summer. It cannot be cured, but the right treatment and a few simple habits can keep symptoms under control.
Read the guide →Common cold
The common cold is a viral infection of the nose and throat. It is very common and usually mild. There is no cure, but most people feel better within a week or two, and antibiotics do not help because colds are caused by viruses.
Read the guide →Flu
Flu (influenza) is a viral infection that comes on suddenly and can make you feel very unwell. Most healthy people recover at home in about a week, but flu can be serious for older people, pregnant women, very young children and people with long-term health conditions.
Read the guide →Conjunctivitis (red or sticky eye)
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the thin, clear layer covering the white of the eye. It is very common and usually clears up on its own within a week or two. It can be caused by a virus, bacteria or an allergy.
Read the guide →Cold sores
Cold sores are small blisters that appear on or around the lips, caused by the herpes simplex virus. Once you have the virus, it stays in your body and can flare up from time to time. Most cold sores heal by themselves within about 7 to 10 days.
Read the guide →Athlete's foot
Athlete's foot is a very common fungal infection of the skin, usually between the toes. It is not serious, but it can be itchy and uncomfortable, and it spreads easily. It is straightforward to treat with products from the pharmacy.
Read the guide →Head lice and nits
Head lice are tiny insects that live in hair and feed on blood from the scalp. They are very common in children, and having them has nothing to do with dirty hair. They pass on through head-to-head contact. Nits are the empty egg cases left behind once the eggs have hatched.
Read the guide →Threadworms
Threadworms are tiny white worms that live in the bowel, and are very common in children, though anyone can get them. They are harmless, but the itching around the bottom can be unpleasant. They are easy to treat, and the whole household usually needs treating at the same time.
Read the guide →Constipation
Constipation means finding it hard to poo, or not going as often as usual. It is very common and usually short-lived, and simple changes to diet and habits often fix it. Everyone's normal is different, but many people go between three times a day and three times a week.
Read the guide →Heartburn and acid reflux
Heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest, caused by stomach acid travelling up towards the throat (acid reflux). It is very common and often triggered by food, drink and lifestyle. Most people can control it with simple changes and medicines from the pharmacy.
Read the guide →High blood pressure (hypertension)
High blood pressure (hypertension) usually has no symptoms, which is why it is so often missed. Over time it puts extra strain on your heart, blood vessels and other organs, and raises the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. The good news is that it is easy to check and can be managed.
Read the guide →Headaches and migraine
Headaches are very common, and most are harmless. The most frequent type is a tension headache, and many people also get migraines. Simple self-care and pharmacy medicines usually help, but a few headaches are a sign of something more serious, so it is worth knowing the warning signs.
Read the guide →Diarrhoea and vomiting
Diarrhoea and vomiting are very common and are usually caused by a stomach bug (gastroenteritis), such as norovirus. Most people get better at home without treatment. The main risk is dehydration, so drinking enough matters most.
Read the guide →Cough
A cough is the body's way of clearing the airways. Most coughs are caused by a cold or a chest infection, and they usually clear up on their own, although a cough can linger for a few weeks after the other symptoms have gone.
Read the guide →Thrush
Thrush is a common yeast infection caused by a fungus called Candida, which normally lives harmlessly on the skin and in the body. It can affect women (vaginal thrush) and men, and it can be treated easily. It is not a sexually transmitted infection, although it can occasionally be passed on during sex.
Read the guide →Mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers are small, painful sores inside the mouth. They are very common, are not contagious, and usually heal by themselves within 1 to 2 weeks. Most are minor, but an ulcer that does not heal needs to be checked.
Read the guide →Nappy rash
Nappy rash is very common in babies and toddlers. It is red, sore skin in the nappy area, caused by contact with wee and poo, friction from the nappy, and sometimes by products that irritate the skin. It usually clears up within a few days with simple care.
Read the guide →Health information links on this page take you to the NHS website (nhs.uk). It's not a substitute for advice from a pharmacist or doctor — if you're concerned about your health, speak to your nearest branch.