Chiswick Pharmacy First: Shingles Treatment
Free NHS service
Shingles can cause a painful rash and significant discomfort, and early treatment matters. Our Chiswick pharmacy team can offer expert guidance and treatment to manage symptoms and help prevent complications, through the NHS Pharmacy First service.
Based on Acton Lane, Chiswick W4 — GPhC-registered pharmacists.
Prefer to talk first? Call 020 8994 5177.
What Is Shingles?
Shingles is a painful, blistering rash caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster), which can lie dormant in the nerves for years. It usually appears as a band of blisters on one side of the body, often preceded by tingling or burning pain in the days before the rash appears.
Am I Eligible for NHS Pharmacy First Treatment?
The shingles pathway is available to patients aged 18 and over. Treatment works best when started early, ideally within 72 hours of the rash appearing, so it’s worth being assessed as soon as you notice symptoms.
What Happens at My Consultation?
Our pharmacist will examine the rash, ask when it started, and check for any signs — such as involvement near the eye — that need urgent referral rather than pharmacy treatment.
What Treatment Might Be Offered?
Where appropriate, our pharmacist can issue antiviral medication directly under Pharmacy First, along with advice on pain relief and keeping the rash clean to reduce the risk of complications.
When Should I Seek Urgent Care?
If the rash is near your eye, you have a severely weakened immune system, or you feel very unwell, our pharmacist will refer you for same-day medical assessment rather than treating you in the pharmacy.
Shingles Treatment for Hammersmith, Ealing, Richmond & Brentford Patients
As well as patients from Chiswick itself, we regularly see patients from Hammersmith, Ealing, Richmond and Brentford for shingles treatment. We're based on Acton Lane, Chiswick W4, just off the A4/Chiswick High Road, making us an easy stop whichever of these areas you're visiting from.
Your pharmacist
Rajendra Patel, Superintendent Pharmacist
Your shingles treatment will be carried out by Rajendra Patel or another GPhC-registered pharmacist at Alisha Pharmacy. Alisha Pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council under premises number 1041405.
What our patients say
Trusted by the Chiswick community
“I’ve been using Alisha pharmacy for 20 years now. I have other pharmacies nearer to my home, but I always use Alisha because Raj and all the rest of the team there are so friendly, professional, knowledgeable, informative and helpful. They obviously really care about what they do. A local gem.”
— P Hall, Google Review
“Raj the pharmacist runs a service of excellence and care to his local community. He and his team go above and beyond and know their community. The standard has always been exemplary. Would be such a tragedy to lose all of this to something impersonal and generic.”
— Harika Basharan, Google Review
What Happens at Your Appointment?
- A short assessment of your symptoms, health history and what you need.
- Your shingles treatment carried out by a GPhC-registered pharmacist.
- Clear advice and any next steps you need to know.
- Aftercare advice and answers to any questions you have.
How to Prepare
- Let us know about any allergies, medicines or ongoing medical conditions.
- Bring any relevant paperwork or previous correspondence, if you have it.
- Ask us anything beforehand — our team is happy to talk it through confidentially.
Book Your Shingles Treatment in Chiswick
Choose a time that suits you. Booking takes less than a minute.
Get Shingles Treated TodayGot questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is shingles contagious?
You can’t pass on shingles itself, but the blisters can spread chickenpox to anyone who hasn’t had it or been vaccinated, until they’ve crusted over.
What age is Pharmacy First shingles treatment available from?
The service is available to patients aged 18 and over.
How soon do I need treatment?
Antiviral treatment works best when started within 72 hours of the rash appearing, so please get assessed as soon as possible.
Do you offer shingles treatment near Hammersmith, Ealing, Richmond or Brentford?
Yes — we're easy to reach from Hammersmith, Ealing, Richmond and Brentford as well as Chiswick itself. We're based on Acton Lane, Chiswick W4, just off the A4/Chiswick High Road.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
We aim to keep the content on this page accurate and up to date, but we cannot accept liability for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies it may contain.