Pharmacy

• Traditional strep tests require patients to visit a doctor’s office and wait 24-72 hours while their test results for this unpleasant bacterial infection come back.
• In the interim, patients suffer with uncomfortable throat pain and fever while waiting for their results. We offer an alternative at our pharmacy locations. We carry and perform rapid strep tests, these can produce a test results with a mere 10 minute wait time.
• Our APA, prescribing pharmacists have the ability to prescribe antibiotics to patients who unfortunately test positive. This means patients can be assessed, tested, and treated in the pharmacy, without having to ever set foot in the doctor’s office and experience days of waiting time, while experiencing uncomfortable symptoms.
• Regrettably, the rapid strep test isn’t covered through healthcare benefits, this means there is a fee of $20 to perform the throat swab for the strep test. However, patients find this service well worth it to avoid the wasted time and discomfort that accompany traditional strep tests and lengthy visits to a doctor’s office.

Cold Sore (Oral Herpes):

A cold sore usually passes through multiple stages of symptoms as it progresses; firstly, tingling and itching, many people feel an itching, burning or tingling sensation around their lips for a day or so before a small, hard and painful spot appears, and blisters erupt.

It is highly recommended that patients start antiviral therapy as soon as the first signs and symptoms of a core sore appear or are felt. Our pharmacists can prescribe antivirals for cold sores on the same visit, after a quick assessment. This can be a time-saver and help you avoid the nuisance of long-waiting times at the doctors office.

Oral Thrush:

An Oral thrush (A.K.A oral candidiasis) is a fungal infection that occurs in the throat and mouth. Luckily it is rarely painful and it is described as cream white lesions on the inner cheeks, gums, tongue, and/or back of the throat.

The infection can be transmitted back and forth between a mother and her breastfeeding infant. Women whose breasts are infected may experience symptoms including: red or sensitive nipples, shiny or flaky skin on the areolas, unusual pain while nursing or between feedings, or deep, stabbing-like breast pains.

Oral thrush is caused by the fungus Candida albicans. Although it is a naturally occurring fungus in the mouth, it is possible for it to excessively multiply and cause an infection. Certain antibiotics may contribute towards an oral thrush. This same fungus is also responsible for causing diaper rash for babies.

Treatment:
Mild cases of oral thrush are usually resolved without treatment within a few days time. However, if the infection persists, it can be treated with a prescription antifungal medication. Our APA pharmacists can assess and prescribe you the required antifungal medication, as necessary, after an assessment. It is very important to continue treatment and complete the treatment for the entire prescribed period.

Allergic Rhinitis & Allergic Congunctivitis:

Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to otherwise harmless substances; these are known as allergens. When a allergy susceptible person experiences the first exposure to an allergen, it activates an immune response. Subsequent, repeated exposures to this allergen can result in an excessive immune response because of the release of immune substances, in particular, histamines. These trigger a range of uncomfortable immune reactions whenever the allergen is encountered.

Allergies vary in intensity and can take many forms, for example: atopic dermatitis (eczema), asthma, and allergic rhinitis. Allergies can be treated and/or prevented by both medicinal and non-medicinal measures.

Causes:
The biggest factor influencing susceptibility to allergies is genetic predisposition, this means that if one or both parents suffer from allergies, the likelihood of their children developing allergies is greater.

Allergic rhinitis can be divided into two types:

• Seasonal (acute): This type occurs at specific times of the year when the triggering allergen is in abundance. For example, springtime allergic rhinitis occurs as a reaction to airborne allergens (e. g., ragweed, tree and grass pollen) that spread when the ice melts and plants begun to release them during the spring season.
• Perennial (chronic): This type occurs year-round, this type of allergic rhinitis is usually a reaction to persistent, indoor allergens (e.g., dust mites, pet dander, mound).

Symptoms:
Allergic rhinitis patients may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Runny nose with clear discharge.
• Sneezing & itchiness in the nose.
• Nasal & sinus congestion.
• Sinus pressure headache.
• Postnasal drip.
• Scratchy throat.
• Red, inflamed skin & mucous membranes.
• Red, watery and itchy eyes.
• Breathing difficulty & wheezing.
• A cough ranging from mild to moderately severe.
• In severe cases, Asthma is possible.
• Hives
• Anaphylactic shock

Treatment:
Our APA, prescribing pharmacists can carry out an assessment and prescribe you medication for your allergic rhinitis, based on the results of the assessment.

Eczema (mild to moderate):

Eczema (A.K.A atopic dermatitis) is a chronic skin issue that presents as dry, itchy, scaly and red skin that may occur on various different areas of the body.

Eczema can also be associated with a secondary bacterial infection that presents as a darkening of the skin around the eyes and/or an extra fold of skin under the eye. If this infection continues to progress, blisters and fissures may develop, and the skin may become thicker from repeated scratching. eczema usually first appears in children as it seems to be influenced by a genetic component, fortunately it often improves with age.

Causes and triggers:
The most common cause of eczema is an abnormality in the skin’s protective barrier. As a result, moisture leaves the skin easier and leads to the skin becoming dehydrated. This also causes the skin to lack the necessary protection it needs from allergens, microbes and irritants, this lack of protection leads to allergen exposure and therefore itching. Visible skin lesions are a direct result of itching.

Factors contributing toward eczema:

• Cold and/or dry air.
• Sweating.
• Stress and/or anxiety.
• Rapid temperature changes.
• Exposure to certain chemical products (soap, detergents, perfumes, etc.).
• Wearing garments made of wool or synthetic fibers such as polyester.
• Allergens.

Treatment:
Since eczema is a chronic condition, symptoms can worsen but also improve periodically. It is possible for certain people to go years without having any symptoms, however eczema is not curable. However to improve symptoms, such as flares and itchiness, it is highly recommended and important to keep the skin hydrated, our APA pharmacists can provide you certain medications to improve itchiness and other associated eczema symptoms.

Hemorrhoids:

Hemorrhoids are cushions of tissue, located in the lower rectum wall & anus, that contain swollen blood vessels. Hemorrhoids can protrude out of the anus, this may lead to them being visible and noticeable to the point where they can be felt. Hemorrhoids can lead to symptoms like itching, pain, and/or bleeding after bowel movements. Hemorrhoids most commonly occur during pregnancy and after giving birth, and mainly affect those between the ages of 45 and 65 years old.

Causes and triggers:
Swollen blood vessels in the rectum & anus that are characteristic of hemorrhoids are most often caused by pressure increases in the susceptible regions of the body.  Some common situations that can lead to hemorrhoids include pregnancy, constipation, diarrhea, and frequent heavy lifting.

Treatment:
Hemorrhoids are usually resolved without treatment within a few days time. However, sometimes prescription medications may be needed to resolve and treat uncomfortable symptoms like itchiness, pain and bleeding. Our APA pharmacists can prescribe you the correct medications, as necessary, after a quick assessment.