Treatments and Services

Shingles
If your are aged 18 years or over, and there is not a chance you could be pregnant, our
pharmacist may be able to help treat you for your shingles in store.

What is Shingles (Herpes Zoster)?
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster
virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox
may develop shingles later in life as the virus remains in your nervous system long after
you have recovered.

What Does Shingles Look Like?
The first signs of shingles can be:
a tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin
a headache or feeling generally unwell

A rash will usually appear a few days later. In rare cases shingles can cause pain without
a rash.

Usually you get the shingles rash on your chest and tummy, but it can appear anywhere
on your body including on your face, eyes and genitals.

The rash appears as blotches on your skin, on 1 side of your body only. A rash on both
the left and right of your body is unlikely to be shingles.

Most people with shingles feel burning, tingling or pain at the affected area a few days
before the rash appears. The pain may feel constant, dull or burning, and can be mild or
severe.

You may also experience sharp stabbing pains. The pain can remain for a few
days or weeks after the rash has cleared up.

The rash is initially red and blotchy, but like chickenpox, it can develop into itchy blisters.

New blisters can appear for a week, but they should dry out and flatten, and look yellow
as they start to scab over. Scabs may leave slight scarring, and usually take 2-4 weeks to
heal completely, however the tingling or stabbing pains may remain for long after the
outbreak has gone.

Ear wax removal at Gorleston Pharmacy
The safest and easiest way to get rid of excess or stubborn earwax is to see a
professional. Gorleston Pharmacy offers microsuction earwax removal services by our
trained Pharmcist.

How much is earwax removal?
We charge £55 for one or both ears. And if we don’t find any wax, we’ll complete a full ear
health check, which costs £20. Book your earwax removal by calling the pharmacy on
01493 668097.

What to do before you come in
It’s important that the wax is soft to make the procedure as comfortable and effective as
possible. We recommend using medicated olive oil drops, twice per day in the affected
ear and repeat for five days before your appointment.

When to speak to your GP
There are some circumstances when we will not be able to perform a wax removal and
you would need to speak to your GP to seek advise:
– Any pain within the last 90 days
– Any middle ear infections within the last 90 days
– Any current or recurrent ear infection
– Any past operations in or around the ear
– Suspect you have any foreign bodies in the ear canal
– Suspect you have a perforated eardrum
– Any fluid or discharge from inside your ear within the last 90 days

Please don’t put any olive oil or wax softening solution in your ears if any of the above
conditions apply to you.

What happens if earwax is not removed?If excess ear wax is not removed, it can lead to a build-up of impacted earwax. If you are
experiencing any of the symptoms of impacted earwax, including ear pain, a ‘full ear’ or a
cough, book an appointment with us.

Flu Vaccine

We offer the flu vaccination privately for anyone that does not meet the NHS criteria, for
£20. Please see NHS flu vaccine information to see if you are entitled.

It is important to get your Flu vaccination.

Getting vaccinated every year will top up your
protection and reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms.

The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening
illness.

It is offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher
risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

Who should have the flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

It’s offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter.

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

– are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
– have certain long-term health conditions
are pregnant
– live in a care home
– are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
– live with someone who has a weakened immune system
– Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their
employer.

Getting vaccinated if you’re unwell

If you have a high temperature, wait until you’re feeling better before having your flu
vaccine.

Please contact us to book.

Emergency Contraception

Please call the pharmacy on 01493 668097 to book your appointment.

What is the emergency contraceptive pill (morning after pill)?
The emergency contraceptive pill, sometimes called the morning after pill, can stop a
pregnancy happening after sex without contraception or if contraception fails.
The emergency contraceptive pill is not suitable for everyone. You need to take it within 3 or 5 days after sex, depending on the type of pill.

Who can take the emergency contraceptive pill (morning after pill)?
Can I take the emergency contraceptive pill?

You should be able to take the emergency contraceptive pill even if you cannot use other
hormonal contraception, such as the combined pill.

The emergency contraceptive pill may not be suitable for you if you need to take steroid
medicines for asthma or if you are overweight.

Breastfeeding after taking the emergency pill
You’ll need to pause breastfeeding after taking the emergency contraceptive pill.

How long you need to pause breastfeeding depends on which type of emergency pill you take.

Flu Vaccine

It is important to get your Flu vaccination.

Getting vaccinated every year will top up your
protection and reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms.

The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening
illness.

It is offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher
risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

Who should have the flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

It’s offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter.

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
– are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
– have certain long-term health conditions
are pregnant
– live in a care home
– are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
– live with someone who has a weakened immune system
– Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their
employer.

Getting vaccinated if you’re unwell

If you have a high temperature, wait until you’re feeling better before having your flu
vaccine.

Please contact us to book.

Urine Infection

Our pharmacist can supply medication for urinary infections where appropriate, for women.

In some cases, self-care advice may be all that is required.

Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection can include:
– Burning when passing urine
– Needing to pass urine in the night
– Cloudy urine
– Urgent need to urinate
– The need to urinate more frequently than normal
– Blood visible in urine
– Pain or tenderness in lower abdomen

The patient must come in to store to have a consultation with our pharmacist.

Please contact us to book.