Shingles

Yes — adults aged 18 and over can be assessed free under NHS Pharmacy First, with no GP appointment needed. Antiviral tablets work best when started early, so come and see us as soon as the rash appears rather than waiting to see if it passes.

Shingles often starts with tingling or a burning pain in one area of skin, followed a few days later by a blotchy rash of fluid-filled blisters. The rash appears on one side of the body only — commonly the chest, tummy or face — and you may feel headachy and generally unwell.

You can't catch shingles from someone else. However, someone who has never had chickenpox can catch chickenpox from the fluid in shingles blisters — so keep the rash covered, and avoid pregnant women who haven't had chickenpox, newborn babies and anyone with a weakened immune system until every blister has scabbed over.

Get urgent medical advice if the rash is on your face or near an eye, if you're pregnant, if you have a weakened immune system, or if you feel very unwell. Shingles near the eye can affect your sight and needs prompt treatment.

A shingles vaccine gives strong protection. The NHS offers it to certain age groups, and it's also available privately — ask us about our shingles vaccination service. You can still have the vaccine if you've had shingles before, as it can come back more than once.