I’m sick, should I go to the doctor or my chemist?
Let’s face it, we all get sick at one time or another, and if you develop some health problems, you’ll likely be wondering if you should go to your doctor or your chemist. This is a normal situation that many people find themselves in; therefore this should not be a point to make you feel worried. It is important to understand when it is right to visit your chemist for advice or treatment and when it is necessary to consult your doctor. This article offers you a little guidance on when you should visit your chemist and when to make an appointment to see your doctor.
When to visit your chemist
Minor ailments
You should visit your chemist if you are just experiencing minor ailments such as headaches, colds, flu and other mild illnesses or symptoms that you feel will go away by taking some over the counter medicines. It is also good to buy medicines from your chemist if you know what may be causing some of the symptoms you are experiencing. For instance, if you have a minor headache or some other minor pain in your body, you can buy painkillers such as aspirin, paracetamol and others aids from your local chemist to help relieve the pain.
Minor injuries or bruises
As you perform your day-to-day work, you may suffer from an injury or get bruised. Buying some topical treatments such as antibacterial cream or arnica, which will work to reduce bruising, can treat injuries that are only minor. You can easily buy these from your local chemist because the injuries in question do not require a lot of medical attention. Your local chemist will advise you on the best medicines to apply to treat the injuries.
Allergies
It is normal in this day and age to be allergic to some products, or you may suffer allergies when exposed to certain substances such as dust, pet hair or due to certain foods. If you develop allergic reactions that you know the cause of, you can get some medication to help you deal with the allergy from your chemist. There are sprays, drops, antihistamines, liquid or tablets that your chemist can recommend for you.
When to visit your doctor
There are some situations when you experience symptoms that require you to consult your doctor. Here are some of the situations:
Prolonged symptoms of minor ailments
If you experience prolonged symptoms such as headaches, coughing, allergic reactions and others even after taking medications from your chemist, you need to visit your doctor for more medical examinations and tests. Your doctor will help you determine the underlying factors leading to such prolonged symptoms.
Major injuries
If you have been severely injured it is vital to visit a doctor for comprehensive medical attention. Such injuries may require stitches, or in the case of head injuries further tests to check that no permanent damage has been done. If it is a limb injury, you may require an x ray to make sure the limb is not broken.
Eye problems
Eyes are very delicate organs that require to be handled only by a professional with a lot of knowledge in dealing with eye problems. If you experience eye problems, you need to consult your doctor for a referral to an eye specialist.
Knowing when to visit your doctor and when you can get the required treatment and advice from your chemist is vital in making sure that not only are you fixed up quickly, but also you don’t spend time in the doctor’s office when it is not necessary for you to do so.
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