Cobham Pharmacy

24/10/2026

PHARMACY FIRST: URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

Pharmacists can now test, advise and prescribe medication for women between the ages of 16 and 64 who aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding and think they may have a Urinary Tract Infection or ‘UTI’. UTIs affect different parts of your urinary tract and can include cystitis (bladder infection), urethra and kidney infections.

Symptoms may include:

- pain or a burning sensation when p*eing
- needing to p*e suddenly, urgently and/or more often than usual, perhaps during the night
- p*e that looks cloudy or contains blood
- pain in the lower tummy or back, just under the ribs
- change in temperature, either hot or cold and shivery
- feelings of tiredness or weakness
- p*e that looks dark and has strong odour (though this may be due to dehydration)
- in older, frail people there can also be changes in behaviour, acting agitated or confused, increased incontinence, or unusual shivering and shaking.

UTIs are usually caused by bacteria from poo entering the urinary tract through the tube that carries p*e out of the body (urethra). As women have a shorter urethra than men, the bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection. Risk of

UTIs can also be increased by:

- pregnancy
- wiping your bottom from back to front after going to the toilet
- conditions that block the urinary tract, (e.g. kidney stones)
- conditions that make it difficult to fully empty the bladder, (e.g. enlarged prostate in men and constipation in children)
- urinary catheters
- a weakened immune system
- menopause
- using spermicide with contraception
- not drinking enough fluids

If one of our pharmacists thinks you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI), they may do a urine test, although this is not always needed. They will then offer self-care advice, and either recommend painkillers, or give prescription for a short course of antibiotics (though we may ask you to wait for 48 hours to see if the symptoms go away on their own).

23/10/2026

PHARMACY FIRST: SHINGLES

Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash. The first symptoms can be a tingling or painful feeling in areas of skin, headaches and/or feelings of being generally unwell before a rash appears a few days later. Though it usually affects the chest and stomach, shingles can appear anywhere (including the face and eyes), but only on one side of the body.

Treatment for shingles depends on the symptoms and risk of complications. If your symptoms are mild, you can take paracetamol and use a cool compress to ease any pain, wear loose-fitting clothing and keep the rash clean.

However, if the rash is more severe, or affecting areas other than the chest, stomach or back and you are over the age of 18 years old, you can ask a pharmacist to examine your condition and recommend any treatments or medicine to sp*ed up your recovery and avoid longer-lasting problems. Ideally, we’d like to see the rash in the first three days of its appearance. Our pharmacists can give the same antiviral medicines and advice as a GP, or direct you to other medical help if needed.

It can take up to 4 weeks for the shingles rash to heal. Your skin may be painful for weeks after the rash has gone, but it usually gets better over time.

You cannot get shingles from someone with shingles or chickenpox, but you can get chickenpox from someone with shingles if you have not had it before. When people get chickenpox, the virus stays in the body. It can be reactivated later and cause shingles if someone’s immune system is weakened. This can be happen due to stress, certain conditions or treatments like chemotherapy.

There is a shingles vaccine available for those over 65 years old and those over 18 years old with a severely weakened immune system. The vaccine helps reduce risk, and if you get shingles after being vaccinated, the symptoms can be much milder. You can get shingles more than once, so you should get vaccinated even if you’ve had shingles before.

22/10/2026

PHARMACY FIRST: SINUSITIS

With symptoms similar to those of colds and flu, Sinusitis is, as its name suggests, when an infection causes swelling of the lining of sinuses. These are small empty spaces located within the bones of the face, behind the cheekbones and forehead and connected to the inside of the nose.

It is a common condition that usually clears up on its own within 4 weeks, but there are a number of remedies and medicines available to help alleviate any pain and discomfort.

The main indicators of Sinusitis are:

- pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
- a blocked or runny nose that reduces your sense of smell
- green or yellow mucus from your nose
- a high temperature
- Other symptoms include headaches, toothache, bad breath, coughs or the feeling of pressure in your ears. You may also snore at night and sound nasal when you speak.

You can usually treat mild Sinusitis yourself by getting lots of rest, drinking plenty of fluids, taking painkillers (do not give aspirin to children under 16) or cleaning your nose with a homemade salt water solution as follows:

1) Boil around 570ml (1 pint) of water, then leave it to cool.
2) Mix 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into the water.
3) Wash your hands.
4) Stand over a sink, cup your palm and pour a small amount of the solution into it.
5) Sniff the water into one nostril at a time. Breathe through your mouth and allow the water to pour back into the sink. Try not to let the water go down the back of your throat.
6) Repeat the first 5 steps up to 3 times a day (making a new solution each time) until your nose feels more comfortable.
If you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.

If you, or a child over 12 years is showing signs of Sinusitis and you want advice on the best treatments or products to use, you can visit any of our stores and speak to a Pharmacist. We can recommend and prescribe the same treatments as a GP or direct you to other medical help if necessary.

21/10/2026

PHARMACY FIRST: IMPETIGO

Impetigo is a skin infection that’s very contagious, but not usually serious. Anyone can get it, but it’s more common in young children.

It starts with red sores or blisters, commonly found on the hands and face (around the nose and mouth). These sores burst quickly and often leave crusty, golden-brown patches that can look a bit like cornflakes stuck to your skin.

The patches can get bigger, spread to other parts of your body, be itchy or sometimes painful, and a yellow liquid can ooze and harden to leave a scaly border around a scab (this is called ‘bullous impetigo’).

If you, or any child over a year old has symptoms, our pharmacists can give you the advice and medicine to treat impetigo. We will check your symptoms to make sure they aren’t anything more serious, and then prescribe a hydrogen peroxide or antibiotic cream or tablets, and it should get better in a few days.

Impetigo stops being contagious 48 hours after you start using treatment, so until then, it is recommended that you:

Stay away from work, school or nursery until no longer contagious
Wash affected areas with soap and water and dry them thoroughly
Wash your hands frequently, particularly before and after using antibiotic cream
Wash flannels, towels, sheets and pillowcases at a high temperature
Wash toys with detergent and warm water if your children have impetigo

20/10/2026

PHARMACY FIRST: CHILDREN’S EARACHE

Earache and ear pain is common, particularly in young children. It can be painful, but it is not usually a sign of anything serious. Most earaches in children are caused by an ear infection and usually improve after a few days.

Our Pharmacists can help children aged between 1 and 17 years old who have earache that is causing them pain or distress. They can look into ears and offer advice about what treatments and medicines could help, for example ear drops or pain relief. They are also able to prescribe antibiotics if they think they are needed and appropriate.

If you are concerned about earache, it is always best to get it checked out. You can come and see the pharmacists in any of our stores without the need for an appointment.

19/10/2026

Every day this week, we’ll be focusing on one of the seven conditions pharmacists are now qualified to diagnose and prescribe medication for if needed. The initiative, known as ‘'PHARMACY FIRST' has been introduced by the government to help take the pressure of GPs and surgeries, and one of the most appropriate conditions to talk about at this time of year is a SORE THROAT.

If your throat starts to irritate, feel scratchy, or is painful when you swallow, it is most likely caused by a virus and will usually get better within a week.

Treatments you can do at home to reduce symptoms include drinking plenty of water, sucking ice lollies, eating soft and cool foods, and adults can try gargling with warm, salty water.

Our pharmacists can recommend pain killers containing paracetamol or ibuprofen, medicated lozenges, anaesthetic sprays and powders to make up hot drinks. Whilst you can buy remedies such as these without prescription, it is important that people taking regular medication, those who are pregnant and children over the age of five years old check with their pharmacist, just to be sure they are taking the right product in the correct way for them.

If a sore throat doesn’t start to clear up within a week, a temperature starts to develop, you feel hot and shivery, or the soreness keeps coming back, call 111 to see if it is a symptom of something more serious. If you have problems swallowing or breathing, call 999 for emergency attention.

25/09/2026

Book appointments for Flu at Cobham Pharmacy, with the campaign starting from 1st October

Book, change or cancel a flu vaccination appointment

21/06/2026

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

16/06/2026

We are always happy to make patients aware of AccessU when we think it might be helpful, and the feedback has been really positive from those who have used this service.

09/04/2026

Book for your Spring Covid booster at Cobham Pharmacy

These are for people aged 75 years and older, residents in care homes for older people, and those aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system

Book, change or cancel a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online.