top of page

MINOR AILMENTS

MINOR AILMENTS

Medication for minor ailments

Starting January 1, 2023, patients across Ontario can visit their local pharmacist to assess and prescribe medication for minor conditions, such as pink eye, eczema, and urinary tract infections. These conditions are called minor ailments. They are common, uncomplicated, and short-term health conditions that can be diagnosed and managed with minimal treatment and self-care at home.

Conditions that can be prescribed for include:

sneezing.png

ALLERGIES
(Allergic Rhinitis)

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Sneezing

  • Stuffy nose or runny nose

  • Itchy nose, eye, or throat

  • Typically, more than 7 days of continuous symptoms

tongue.png

ORAL THRUSH

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • White or creamy-white spots / patches on the lips, inside of mouth, tongue and / or the roof of the mouth

  • Cottage cheese-like appearance

  • Patches can be scraped off

  • Dry mouth and / or loss of taste

conjunctivitis.png

PINK EYE
(Conjunctivitis)

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Eye redness and difficulty opening eyes in the morning

  • Appearance of sticky or watery fluids from the eye

  • Mild scratching, itching, or burning sensation

  • Bright lights hurt your eyes

eczema.png

DERMATITIS
(Atopic, Eczema)

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Dry, red, and itchy skin

  • Cracked and oozed blisters

  • Darker or lighter patches of skin

  • Scaly and patchy skin

stomach.png

MENSTRUAL CRAMPS

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Pain and cramps in the lower abdominal area

  • Pain in the lower back and starting a few hours before onset of a period

  • Pain can last a few hours to days

gastric.png

ACID REFLUX (GERD)

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Burping / stomach acid rise from the stomach into the mouth

  • Burning feeling in the stomach or lower chest rising to the neck

  • Trouble getting a good night's sleep because of heartburn

  • Pain in the middle of the upper stomach area

  • Nausea

cream.png

HEMORRHOIDS

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Itching, burning or swollen (with or without pain) around the anal / rectum area

  • Bright red blood during / after bowel movement

  • Constipation and difficulty in having a bowel movement

  • Presence of a lump in the anal / rectum area

herpes.png

COLD SORES

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Rash or bump around border of the lip

  • Presence of clear, sticky fluid around the rash

  • Itching, tingling, or burning may lead to the rash

  • Redness or inflamed skin around the rash

rash.png

IMPETIGO

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Bump that changes into a blister surrounded by rash

  • Yellow discharge that dries to form a "golden" or "honey-colored" crust

  • Can affect face, arms or legs

allergy.png

INSECT BITES AND HIVES

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Small bump or blister. May feel pain, itching, redness or swelling.

  • Feeling of a sharp burning pain which can sting

dark-urine.png

UTI's
(Urinary Tract Infections)

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Frequent urination, pain while urinating and difficulty holding in urine

  • Pain in lower abdomen and a small amount of blood in the urine

  • Absence of vaginal discharge

  • Cloudy or foul-smelling urine

NOTE: Pharmacists can only assess and prescribe for Females.

Vaginal Yeast Infection (Vaginal Candidiasis)

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Thick, white, odor-free vaginal discharge with a cottage cheese appearance

  • Itching, burning and pain during urination and/or sexual intercourse

  • Rash and redness of vaginal area

tick.png

TICK BITES
(Prevention of Lyme Disease)

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Tick bite by black-legged tick

  • A red lump present, but swelling, blistering, bruising, itching or other infections may develop

  • Mild allergic reaction (hives, rash, and light swelling at the bite site)

back-pain.png

MUSCLE ACHES AND PAIN
(Sprains and Strains)

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Pain, swelling or tenderness (light to medium)

  • Redness or bruising

  • Limited motion and muscle weakness

  • Injury is associated with overworking or muscle / joint injured

blood-sample.png

COVID-19 (PAXLOVID)

To obtain a Paxlovid prescription, please review the steps below:

  • You must have tested positive for COVID-19.

  • Determine your eligibility to receive a Paxlovid prescription. Please visit the government of Ontario website HERE for eligibility details.

  • Book a virtual appointment or a phone consultation to get assessed by a Pharmacist and receive a prescription for Paxlovid.

  • Your Pharmacy team will coordinate with you how to receive the prescription.

​Morning Sickness (Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy)

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Nausea or vomiting at any time of the day due to pregnancy 

  • Not able to keep food or drink down for more than 12 hours

Acne (Mild)

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Presence of whiteheads and blackheads

  • Small red bumps and pimples with pus

  • Less than 30 total bumps/pimples and not all are inflamed (red in appearance)

Diaper Rash (Diaper Dermatitis)

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Rashes and redness around the diaper area of babies and toddlers for more than 3 days.

  • Pain and crying while urinating, diaper changes and during defecating.

  • Can affect the sleep pattern

Canker sores (Oral Aphthous Ulcer)

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Painful and shallow White- or cream-coloured ulcers with a raised red border that are round or oval

  • Presence of ulcers inside cheeks, lips, sides of tongue, roof, and floor of the mouth

  • Less than 1cm in diameter

Threadworms and Pinworms

You may experience some of the symptoms below:

  • Detection of worms in stool or near anus

  • Anal itching, especially at night

  • Restless sleep

  • There may be itching in your vaginal area if adult worms move there

  • Feeling irritable and having trouble concentrating

  • Abdominal pain that comes and goes

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

shutterstock_1172617870.jpg

HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT MINOR AILMENTS OR SIMPLY WANT TO LEARN MORE?  
 
GET IN TOUCH WITH US TODAY!

bottom of page