Most minor illnesses will get better without the need to visit a doctor and can be treated at home.
A pharmacist can give you advice on treating your condition. The NHS England website has a health A-Z, which is a complete guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help.
You can help ease the pressure on local health services by making sure your medicine cabinet is fully stocked with the basic essentials, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, cold remedies, indigestion treatment and antihistamine, and by ordering repeat prescriptions in good time so that you don't run out.
Download the NHS App to take control of your health and stay well.
You can order repeat prescriptions on the app and nominate a pharmacy, saving you time and putting you in control of your health needs.
The app is available to download on smartphones or tablets via the Google play or Apple App store.
Get help for hay fever
Hay fever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest.
Symptoms of hay fever include:
- sneezing and coughing
- a runny or blocked nose
- itchy, red or watery eyes
- itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- loss of smell
- pain around your temples and forehead
- headache
- earache
- feeling tired.
If you have asthma, you might also:
- have a tight feeling in your chest
- be short of breath
- wheeze and cough.
Hay fever will last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after one to two weeks.
Speak to your pharmacist if you have hay fever. They can give advice and suggest the best treatments, like antihistamine drops, tablets or nasal sprays to help with itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, and a blocked nose.
Find out more about how to cope with hay fever.