Shingles: NHS Pharmacy First
If you’re 18 or over and think you have shingles, a pharmacist can assess you through the NHS Pharmacy First service. You can visit our Bury pharmacy or book a video consultation. Contact us as soon as you can: treatment works best if you start it within 3 days of the rash appearing.
The consultation is free. If you normally pay for prescriptions, the standard NHS prescription charge applies to any medicine supplied.
Who can use this service
You can use Pharmacy First for shingles if you are 18 or over and your rash appeared recently.
The pharmacist will refer you to your GP or another service instead if, for example, you:
- have the rash on your face, head or neck, or near your eye
- have any change in your vision
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have a weakened immune system
- are under 18
Symptoms of shingles
- a tingling or painful feeling in one area of skin, often a few days before the rash
- a rash of blotches that turn into itchy blisters, usually on one side of the body, often the chest or tummy
- blisters that ooze and then scab over
- feeling generally unwell, or a high temperature
What happens in the consultation
The pharmacist asks about your symptoms, when the rash started and your general health. By video, they look at the rash with you on camera. Depending on what they find, they may:
- give you self-care advice and advice on pain relief
- supply an antiviral medicine, where clinically appropriate
- refer you to your GP or another service if you need further help
We tell your GP about your consultation on the same day or the next working day. If waiting for the post would delay treatment too long, we arrange for you to collect from us or from a pharmacy near you.
Things you can do to help
- take paracetamol for pain
- keep the rash clean and dry, and wear loose clothing
- use a cool compress (a cloth cooled with water) a few times a day
- don’t let dressings or plasters stick to the rash
- stay away from people who haven’t had chickenpox, pregnant people, babies and anyone with a weakened immune system until the rash has dried
The rash usually heals within 2 to 4 weeks.
When to get urgent help
Get an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 straight away if the rash is near your eye or on your nose, you have changes in your vision, you’re pregnant, you have a weakened immune system, or the pain or rash is very bad or spreading.
See your GP if the pain lasts after the rash has gone.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get shingles?
Can you catch shingles from someone with shingles?
Can I go to work with shingles?
How can I tell if I have shingles?
Is there a shingles vaccine?
Speak to a pharmacist
Book a free NHS video consultation, call us on 0161 222 1024, or visit us at 46 Walmersley Road, Bury BL9 6DP. Video consultations: Monday to Friday 9am to 2pm and 3:30pm to 6pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 2pm and 3:30pm to 6pm. Pharmacy opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 2pm and 3:30pm to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 2pm and 3:30pm to 6pm.
Book a free NHS video consultationNHS Pharmacy First at Bury Healthcare Pharmacy
Other conditions: Urinary tract infection (UTI) · Sore throat · Sinusitis · Impetigo · Infected insect bite · Ear infection
This page is general information about an NHS service and does not replace advice from your GP. Sources: NHS website condition and contraception pages; NHS England Pharmacy First and Pharmacy Contraception Service specifications.