Minor ailments
Your local pharmacist can help you with many common conditions, health advice and over the counter medication where needed.
Patients who present at health services with the minor ailments or conditions listed could be treated quicker or more conveniently through self-care and visiting their pharmacist.
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Greater Manchester Minor Ailments Service (MAS)
Get free advice and treatment for minor illnesses – no GP appointment needed.
Local pharmacies can offer everyone advice and suggest treatments for many common health problems.
If you do not pay for prescriptions, including children under 16, you can use the Minor Ailments Service. This means, the pharmacy team may also give you free medicine if you need it.
The minor ailments included in the service are:
- Allergy
- Athlete’s foot
- Atopic eczema
- Constipation
- Contact dermatitis
- Diarrhoea
- Dry eyes
- Ear wax
- Otitis externa
- Fever
- Head lice
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Insect bites and stings
- Mouth ulcers
- Nappy rash
- Teething pain
- Short-term pain
- Threadworm
- Oral thrush
- Vaginal thrush
You don’t need an appointment, just ask your local pharmacy team about the Minor Ailments Service for more information.
Updated
This service was created on 21/11/2024 and last updated on 15/01/2026
Use the NHS website to find a pharmacy.
Pharmacy First
Pharmacy First makes it more convenient for you to access care. Your local pharmacy team can give you advice on a range of conditions and can suggest medicines that can help. They may also be able to offer treatment and prescription medicine for some conditions without the need for a GP appointment.
