Also known as Acne Vulgaris is a skin disorder seen in teenagers and young adults. This skin condition results in extra greasiness of the skin caused by hormonal changes at puberty. Increased sebum production and blocked follicles lead to the formation of comedones known as black and white heads. The face, neck and shoulder are the areas of the body mainly affected by acne. With the right treatment, this condition can resolve.

Up to one-fifth of the population is affected by allergic rhinitis, which has symptoms including sneezing, runny eyes or nose, headaches, nasal congestion, itching of the nose or soft palate and general tiredness. All of these symptoms are caused by histamine, which is released on contact with allergens.

They are of often referred to as painkillers and form the largest category of medicines sold over the counter in pharmacies across the world. These can be in oral or topical form. Most contain products such as aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen, either alone or in combination with codeine and dihydrocodeine. They are used to treat conditions such as headaches, fever, period pain, toothache, muscular and rheumatic pain.

Athletes food (tinea pedis) is an infection caused by a fungus that lives in warm damp shoes such as trainers. The infection be picked up by simply walking barefoot across a damp floor or most commonly In swimming pool changing areas. At first the skin may become itchy but then will start to crack and peel.

There are many Cardiovascular products available to buy over the counter for the prevention of heart disease. These include, omega-3 fatty acids and aspirin.

Cold sores are highly contagious infections caused by the Herpes simplex virus. Initially you may get a tingling sensation which may appear as a blister. This can go on to form a wheeping sore which in turn dries to form a scab. This is contiguous and it is advised you don’t share towels as this can pass on the virus to another person.

Colds are classified as contagious infections of the upper respiratory passages, caused by one or more of 100 different rhinoviruses. Flu is also classified as a viral disease and the symptoms can last 3-5 days. Main symptoms can include pain, headache, runny nose, fever and fatigue. There is no cure for a cold or a flu, by many OTC medicines can offer symptomatic relief.

It is often characterized by a baby crying without reason for excessive periods. The baby may bring their knees to their chest. It is rare in babies older than 6 months.

This is the infrequent passage of hard stools.  Constipation can be caused by many factors such as a lack of exercise, lack of fibre in diet and by some medication. Main symptoms include, stomach cramps and pain.

Corns are small areas of thickened hard skin. They are most commonly found on the hard surface of the toe or knuckles. Calluses are more extensive patches of hard skin which can occur on any part of the body such as the feet, hands and knees.

A cough is a protective mechanism which clears the airways of obstructions and irritants and may be involuntary (caused by nervous stimulation such as smoke, dust or foreign bodies) or voluntary (a deliberate action to the clear the lungs or throat). Coughs can be productive and non-productive. Productive coughs bring up phlegm or mucus which can be chesty and non-productive coughs that may be dry or tickly.

This presents as thick yellow scales and crusting on a baby’s scalp. Mostly occurs during the first 3 months of life and goes away within a year. There are shampoos available over the counter to help treat cradle cap.

Cystitis is an inflammation of the balder which is characterise by a burning sensation when urinating. You may also feel the need to urinate more frequently. Other signs that may indicate cystitis may include, dark, cloudy and unpleasant smell of your urine. A raised temperature and lower back pain may also be reported.

Diarrhoea is the passage of water and loose stools. Acute diarrhoea is usually caused by viruses such as the Rotavirus or bacteria called Escherichia coli. Diarrhoea is common when travelling abroad where the tap water is not completely clean therefore not safe to drink. Many treatments are available to help treat and control the symptoms of diarrhoea.

Ear problems may be classified as ear wax or mild otitis externa. Hard wax can be removed by a ear syringing procedure conducted by a healthcare professional, however you first need to soften the wax using ear drops. Otitis externa is the inflammation of the outer auditory canal often caused by excessive exposure to water which removes the protective coat. This can be treated by cleansing the ear or in some cases by suction.

This can be supplied to women over the age of 16 years old and be bought over the counter.

Minor eye conditions can be treated with OTC medication such as eye drops. These conditions include, tired eyes, dry eyes, allergic eyes, bacterial conjunctivitis and blepharitis. Irritated and allergic eyes may be common in summer and spring when the pollen count is high. Dry eyes and blepharitis is often seen in elderly patients. Blepharitis is the inflammation of the eyelids which can appear reddened. Acute bacterial conjunctivitis is self-limiting but is also very highly contagious particularly in kids. Both eyes can be affected and main symptoms include, discharge, itchiness, sticky eyes and crusting.

The most common to place to get first aid Is from a pharmacy. There are many injuries that can be treated with first aid and these are, bites, stings, minor burns, cuts, grazers and scalds. It is also very important to have a first aid box at your home or at your work place.

Fungal nails infections are caused by fungi, moulds and yeast. Adults over the age of 55 are most likely to be affected. It can affect nails on your hand as well as your toe nails. Diabetic patients with nail infections should always see a doctor.

These are vericose veins that occur in or around the rectum. There are many causes that can contribute to haemorrhoids in patients. These include, being overweight, constipation, pregnancy and childbirth. Symptoms include itching and pain. In some cases, traces of bloods are seen on the surface of the stools.

Hair loss affects many people and includes both men and women. This can be due to many reasons such as stress, age, poor diet or hereditary. Male pattern baldness starts in the late teens in men and can also lead to hair thinning. Products are available to slow and reverse this process.

Headlice are small insects that use large claws to hold onto shafts of hair and feed off human blood by biting the scalp. Headlice is very common amongst children and is easily spread with direct close contact. Other symptoms may include, itching of the calp. Treatment should only be started if there is evidence of lice found in the scalp or hair.

Herbal medicines much have a Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) or a Marketing Authorisation (MA) in order to be sold in the UK. Those with a THR are registered on the basis that they have been used for more than 30 years. Those with a MA are registered on the basis of efficacy just like any other medicines are in the UK. Both registrations must meet quality and safety standards. Herbal is essentially the use of plant parts such as the leaf, root or even the whole plant. Side-effects can be rare with herbal medicines. There are many herbal medicines available to buy over the counter. They treat conditions such as anxiety, constatation, cold and flus, coughs, indigestion, diarrhoea. Pain, skin conditions, helping to sleep, relive stress and help with treating women ailments.

The basic principle of homeopathy is that like treats like; all illness can be treated with a substance that produces similar symptoms to those being suffered. For example, the homeopathic treatment for a cold would be Allium Cepa (red onion) since this causes a runny nose and runny eyes when peeled. Another principle that is applied in homeopathy is the greater the dilution from the original substance, the higher the potency meaning the deeper the action. Homeopathy is considered to be safe. In the UK, all homeopathic medicines are available on prescription under the NHS.

This is a term used to describe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, discomfort and flatulence. This can have for many reasons such as eating spicy food and taking certain medication that may cause indigestion.

This is a common gut disorder. Its cause if often unknown. There is not official test for IBS, instead we rely to symptoms to confirm diagnosis. These include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation and excessive wind. There are treatments available to help treat the symptoms of IBS.

There are 3 menstrual conditions that can be treated over the counter using OTC medicines. Period pain, excessive blood loss premenstrual syndrome. Period pain can be characterised by cramp pain in lower abdomen, back and legs. Excessive blood loss can be due to many factors such as emotional stress. Other symptoms include pelvic pain and painful periods. Premenstrual syndrome can include symptoms such as tiredness, mood swings, breast tenderness, headache and weight gain.

Is a common disorder in infants. Characterised by painful red, itchy skin on the bottom area. Often caused by the breakdown of bacteria of urine in wet nappys.

Ailments affecting the mouth are very common and can include, toothache, dental caries, bleeding gums, mouth ulcers and bad breadth. There are many over the counter products available to help treat these ailments

The skin is considered the largest organ. Common injuries such as cuts, scratches, bruises and blisters all come under the term “wound”. All wounds follow the same healing process, which has 3 stages. Stage 1 is the inflammation process, when the blood clots and inflammation occur. The proliferative phase when the middle skin layer repairs in a process called granulation and the epidermis which is the skins outer layer regenerates in a process called epithelialisation. The last phase is the maturation phase which is when the scars form. There are many plasters and dressings available over the counter to help treat wounds.

Scabies are caused by mite that feed off the epidermis of your skin. It is spread by close contact such as holding hands. Symptoms can occur after 4 to 8 weeks of infection and can be accompanied by a very intense rash. Pubic lice are small parasites that live in your body hair. It can be spread by close or even sexual contact. Main symptoms are itching in the pubic region and black droppings may be noticed on your underwear and eggs may be visible.

The most common condition is dandruff. Flakes of skin can be seen when you stoke your hand through your hair. Main symptoms include extreme itching of the scalp with can lead to pain sometimes. The condition is believed to be due to the yeast-like organism pityrosporum ovale. Other scalp conditions include psoriasia and eczema.

There are many products available which can help with common sexual problems. Viagra (sildenafil) can be bought over the counter to treat erectly dysfunction in men. The cause of this may be due to physical, psychological or in some cases due to certain medication you might be taking. Certain gels may also be used to treat premature ejaculation

The main skin conditions that are treated over the counter are, irritant dermatitis, psoriasis, contact dermatitis and eczema. Dematitis and eczema are characterised by an inflammatory response with red itchy eruptions. Eczema is also associated with hayfever and asthma where dermatitis can occur with contact with an irritant. Psoriasis is a chronic scaly skin conditions that runs in the family. All these conditions mentioned can be treated over the counter.

Almost every one suffers from disturbed sleep at some point in their lifetime. This can be due to many factors such as bereavement, stress, exams, depression, financial and social worries. There are many products available which can help people overcome this disturbance.

Giving up smoking requires a lot of will power and determination. NRT products can help people overcome withdrawal symptoms and successfully give up smoking. Smoking can lead to many health problems such as lung problems and in some cases cancer.

A sore throat is often caused by a virus which may last 5-7 days. Main symptoms of a sore throat may include, pain on swallow and hoarseness.

Teething starts around 6 months for babys and continues for the next 2-3 years. The baby may show excessive drooling and signs of pain. Other signs include, swollen gums, red cheeks and fever.

This falls into two categories, antimalarials and motion sickness. Motion sickness occurs when the body moves in an unusual manner and the brain receives conflicting messages – the inner ear indicates movement, whereas the eyes send a message saying the body is stationary. Main symptoms include dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Malaria is transmitted to humans via infected mosquitoes that inject the parasite into the blood. Symptoms can take time to appear which include headache, fatigue and vomiting. Malaria is life-threatening and can lead to death and coma if not treated therefore its important you take anti-malarial tablets when travelling to high risk areas.

Vaginal candidiasis is the most common vaginal infection. It is caused a by yeast-like organism. The most common symptoms experienced are, soreness, pain, itching, redness and swelling of the vaginal area.

These are essential for health and normal development. Most of the essential vitamins and minerals we need we get through our diet. However, there are certain groups like the elderly or those with malabsorption problems that are risk of being deprived of these essential vitamins and minerals. In some cases, pregnant women may require supplantation to help replenish their vitamins and minerals.

Warts are caused by the human papilloma virus. This mostly affects the feet and hand. Warts may appear on the back of the feet as a rough surface. You may experience pain whilst walking. Verrucas tend to affect the feet. You main experience pain on the sole of the foot whilst walking which can be very painful.

Worms are developed parasites that can affect the GI Tract. The most common worms are threadworms. This may appear as threads of cotton measuring half an inch in someone’s stool. The eggs can be viable outside the body for weeks which makes the condition contagious. Main symptoms are anal itching. In some cases, more severe cases of worms can cause diarrhoea. When treating a patient for threadworms, its important you treat the whole family even if they don’t have any symptoms.

The most effective way to lose wight is to reduce your calorie intake. There are over the counter medicines available that bind to dietary fats in the gut and restrict their absorption into the bloodstream. This in turn helps to lose wight. Normally they need to be use din conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise plan for it to work and be effective.