So, you’re thinking about quitting smoking? Great! You’ve made the first step, but what method of quitting is best for you? How can nicotine products help? The reduce-to-quit method involves gradually reducing the number of cigarettes smoked daily before quitting. This method can be supplemented with nicotine replacement products as an alternative to cigarettes to control cravings without the added tar and harmful chemicals. The choice is to quit entirely or ‘cold turkey’ – this method has the added benefit of feeling the effects of quitting on day one, such as feeling more energetic, but it tests your willpower greatly. This is the reason the reduce-to-quit method is recommended first line. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) comes in various forms to suit individual lifestyles and smoking habits. Different long-acting or short-acting nicotine products keep cravings at bay or fix sudden urges that are brought on.

Pholcodine is a cough medication used to relieve dry and tickly coughs. You used to be able to buy it from your pharmacy either on its own or in combination with other medications for colds and flu. Unfortunately, it is no longer available over the counter due to safety concerns. It is a prescription-only medication now. Occasionally a cough can be a symptom of a more serious problem. You should speak to your doctor if you have had a cough for more than three weeks, have severe symptoms such as fever, coughing up blood, have lost weight unexpectedly, or have chest pain or shortness of breath.

Prochlorperazine (also known by the brand Buccastem M) is an anti-sickness medication used for the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting in migraine. It should have previously been diagnosed by a doctor, and be for adults aged 18 and over. It is known as a P (pharmacy) medication that can be bought from a pharmacy after a discussion with the pharmacist or counter assistant to ensure it is suitable for use. It is also available on prescription from your doctor to treat nausea and vomiting of other cause.

Savlon cream is an antiseptic cream used to prevent infections in minor cuts, burns, scrapes and wounds of the skin. It can be purchased from your pharmacy or supermarket. Open cuts and heavy bleeding are not classified as minor wounds, and Savlon should not be used to treat these.

There are many good reasons to quit smoking – it’s expensive, you may feel socially outcast and it carries health risks – but it can be hard to rely on simply willpower to stop. Stop smoking aids can provide a bridge in your journey towards kicking the habit for good. Smoking cessation aids can be bought over-the-counter or provided by the NHS Stop Smoking service on prescription. Engaging with the stop smoking service will give you the best chance of success, as expert advisers can guide you through the process of stopping. Let’s talk you through the treatments, so you’re better informed before speaking to them, or if you wish to go it alone. What does nicotine do? Nicotine is the addictive substance in cigarettes that activates nicotine receptors in the brain, when then release dopamine, a “feel good” hormone. Once you’ve given up, these receptors are deprived of nicotine, and therefore you don’t get the dopamine release you’ve come to rely on, which leads to cravings. Cravings can cause symptoms in the first 24 to 48 hours. And this subsides over the next two to three weeks. You may more irritable or agitated than usual, or experience mood swings, your sleep may be disrupted. As your lungs recover, you may develop a cough to remove substances from cigarette smoke and clear any increased mucus production and debris. Headaches and stomach cramps are also common. You may reach for food to compensate for the lack of nicotine, as this can also cause dopamine release, but you should be wary of weight gain, which is common after stopping smoking. You can get over these cravings, but it takes time. In the meantime, nicotine replacement therapy can help relieve cravings and stop you reaching for another cigarette.

Surgical aka medical face masks are a type of personal protection equipment (PPE) initially used by healthcare professionals whilst undertaking medical procedures. They prevent the transmission of airborne infections by creating an additional barrier between the wearer and those around them, blocking the movement of infected droplets and aerosols and reducing the possibility of inhalation and transmission by the mask wearer. A surgical/medical mask does not prevent the complete inhalation of particles unless rated as N95. More recently, medical masks have been shown to reduce the transmission of airborne pathogens (viruses, bacteria and fungi) between public members when worn in areas with poor ventilation.

All Anusol products are used to treat haemorrhoids but vary in their formulations. Both Anusol cream and ointment contain the same active ingredients (zinc oxide, balsam of Peru, bismuth oxide). Here we'll take you through the differences so you can choose an option that suits you. Similar products include Germoloids for piles.

Anusol is a medication used in the treatment of haemorrhoids (also known as piles) and works to soothe the symptoms of discomfort and itchiness. It comes in three formulations which are cream, ointment and suppositories. Anusol also comes in a formulation containing hydrocortisone, a mild steroid with anti-inflammatory properties. The hydrocortisone-containing versions are named Anusol Plus HC and Anusol Soothing Relief.

These are antifungal tablets, taken by mouth to treat fungal infections. These can be prescribed by a doctor when topical (creams and washes) antifungals are not helping to clear up the infection. In certain cases, if the infection is severe or widespread or internal, then oral antifungals may be prescribed first by your doctor. There are a number of groups of antifungal tablets ranging from ones available over the counter to those requiring specialist prescribing. These are known as the Triazole, Imidazole, Polyene, Echinocandin and other antifungals.

Antifungal medicines are invaluable in combating various fungal infections that commonly affect the skin, hair, nails, and mouth. Available in different forms such as tablets, lacquers (such as Curanail, creams, powders, oral gels, and shampoos, these medications effectively target the source of infection. Understanding their uses, mechanisms of action, and preventive measures can empower you to manage fungal conditions with confidence.

Fungal nail infections will not get better without treatment. Treating a fungal nail infection can take a long time, and it is important to say that treatment is only necessary if the person is bothered by the look or feel of the nail. Here Healthwords's pharmacists walk you through the options available.

Antifungals are a category of medication that targets the breakdown of unwanted fungi from the body. Simple treatments can involve topical treatments with over the counter medication but more complex treatments can involve treating fungal infections with tablets, creams or other methods. Although antifungals are all one topic, they can be subcategorized into different types of antifungals – we’ll go through this in more detail below.