Blocked sinuses, facial pressure, headaches and that horrible thick mucus sinusitis is miserable. The good news is that you don’t need to suffer or wait for a GP appointment. At Newmans Pharmacy on Barking Road, Plaistow, our pharmacists can assess and treat acute sinusitis under the NHS Pharmacy First service for free, for anyone aged 12 and over.
Walk in and we’ll guide you through self-care, and if antibiotics are clinically appropriate (most sinusitis is viral and doesn’t need them), we can supply them the same day.
NHS Pharmacy First sinusitis service is for adults and children aged 12 and over with symptoms lasting around 10 days or more without improvement. Our pharmacist will use NHS clinical pathway criteria (including the FeverPAIN-style assessment) to decide whether antibiotics are appropriate.
Most sinusitis clears up without antibiotics. Our pharmacist will recommend evidence-based self-care including:
Speak with our pharmacists in a confidential setting. We offer professional clinical assessments for all your health concerns, ensuring you receive personalized care in a private environment.
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Most cases improve in 2 to 3 weeks. If it’s lasting longer or getting worse, that’s when our Pharmacy First service can help.
If you have severe symptoms, swelling around the eyes, confusion or a stiff neck go straight to A&E. For symptoms over 12 weeks, you may have chronic sinusitis and need a GP review.
No. Just walk into either of our Barking Road branches in Plaistow
Yes. Under the NHS Pharmacy First service, adults and children aged 12 years and over can be assessed for acute sinusitis. If your symptoms have lasted for 10 days or more without improvement, or if they are severe, our pharmacist can provide prescription-strength nasal steroids or antibiotics where appropriate.
Most sinus infections are viral and clear up on their own. However, you should visit the pharmacy if you have:
Persistent symptoms: Pain and pressure in the face that lasts longer than 10 days.
“Double Sickening”: Symptoms that start to get better but then suddenly get much worse.
High Fever: A temperature that doesn’t go down with over-the-counter pain relief.
Discolored Discharge: Thick green or yellow mucus accompanied by facial pain.