28 minor ailments an Ontario pharmacist can assess

Burning with urination, frequent urges, or lower-belly pain? Most uncomplicated UTIs in women are treated with a 3-day course of antibiotics.

Red, itchy or goopy eyes? Pharmacists can assess whether it's bacterial, allergic or viral and prescribe drops accordingly.

Itching, thick discharge, or burning? Uncomplicated vaginal yeast infections have effective one-dose oral or topical treatments.

Tingling before a blister on the lip? Antiviral creams or oral antivirals started early shorten the outbreak.

Sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose through the season? A prescription nasal spray or strong antihistamine can settle it.

Itchy, dry, cracked skin patches? Pharmacists can prescribe hydrocortisone-strength creams or stronger steroids for flare-ups.

Breakouts that OTC products aren't fixing? Prescription topicals like clindamycin or benzoyl peroxide combos can help.

Painful white ulcers inside the mouth? A pharmacist can prescribe a steroid paste to help them heal.

Itching, pain, or a little bleeding with bowel movements? Prescription creams with steroid + numbing agent give fast relief.

Severe menstrual cramps? Prescription-strength NSAIDs started a day before your period often prevent the worst of it.

Heartburn more than 2x per week? Pharmacists can prescribe a short course of a proton-pump inhibitor.

Itchy welts that won't quit? Prescription antihistamines or steroid creams can shut down the reaction.

Pulled a tick off in the last 72 hours? A single dose of doxycycline can prevent Lyme disease.

Twisted an ankle or pulled a muscle? Pharmacist-prescribed NSAIDs plus ice and rest get you moving sooner.

Honey-crusted sores, especially in kids? A prescription antibiotic cream clears mild cases in days.

White patches in the mouth after antibiotics or inhaled steroids? A prescription mouth rinse clears it fast.

Persistent red rash in the diaper area? Often a yeast infection — pharmacist can prescribe an antifungal cream.

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy? Pharmacist can prescribe Diclectin (doxylamine/pyridoxine) — the first-line treatment.

Intense nighttime bottom itching in kids? A one-dose treatment for the whole household clears it.

Thick, sore skin on your feet or hands? A pharmacist can recommend a salicylic acid treatment, padding and footwear changes.

A pressing, band-like headache on both sides of your head? A pharmacist can assess it and recommend the right pain reliever and how often it is safe to use.

Found live lice or nits in your child's hair? A pharmacist can pick the right treatment and explain how to stop it coming back.

Flaky, itchy scalp that dandruff shampoo hasn't fixed? A pharmacist can prescribe a medicated shampoo or a short-term cream for flares.

An itchy, ring-shaped rash with a scaly edge? It is a fungal skin infection, and a pharmacist can prescribe an antifungal cream.

An itchy red rash in the groin or inner thighs? Jock itch is a fungal infection, and a pharmacist can prescribe an antifungal cream.

A rough bump on your hand or a hard spot on the bottom of your foot? A pharmacist can recommend a wart treatment. Not for warts on the face or genitals.

Blocked, stuffy nose or sinus pressure from a cold? A pharmacist can recommend what will clear it, and spot when it needs a doctor instead.

Gritty, burning or tired eyes that get worse with screens? A pharmacist can recommend the right eye drops and eyelid care.