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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think its unnecessary to ask a customer what part of the body they need canestan for?

67 replies

Nancyclancy · 27/12/2014 22:28

I have a tough of thrush down below, so today I went into Boots to buy some Canestan, the basic tube.
When I got to the till and asked for the cream, the lady serving me asked if it was for me (fair enough) I said yes, she then asked where I needed to use it?? Bearing in mind there was a string of customers behind me.
Is that really necessary?

OP posts:
CaptainAnkles · 27/12/2014 22:29

'In the bathroom I should think. Here's my advantage card.'

wheresthelight · 27/12/2014 22:29

it's used for severe fungal infections on other areas ie your feet and the regularity of application differs.

knackered69 · 27/12/2014 22:30

"Shall I show you? Here's my advantage card... "

Bair · 27/12/2014 22:31

Goodness no. I know we all have genitals but no one really wants to discuss that sort of thing in a crowd of strangers, do we?

Did you manage a witty retort as per Captain? I'd have blushed and mumbled.

NoArmaniNoPunani · 27/12/2014 22:32

It depend whether you were served by a pharmacist or a shop assistant

spinduchess · 27/12/2014 22:32

There are different types of Canestan! Thats why they asked.

I once put the anti-fungal foot Canestan on my vaj. Nothing much happened mind, but it was foot cream.

ilovepowerhoop · 27/12/2014 22:32

next time just buy it in the supermarket

WyldChyld · 27/12/2014 22:32

I used to work for Boots in that particular section - unfortunately, it is one of the questions we have to ask before selling it because if it is for use for thrush, there are other questions - if someone hasn't diagnosed by a HCP with thrush at some point in their past they need to be diagnosed before they can purchase treatment etc. Because we are selling pharmacy medications in the name of the pharmacist, we have to follow very strict protocols and procedures. I know it's awkward, but sorry!

spinduchess · 27/12/2014 22:33

Look www.bayer-shop.co.uk/department/canesten/index.cfm

The vaj, sweat rash and foot creams are all different. She was just working out which to sell you.

AryaUnderfoot · 27/12/2014 22:34

'On my nipples. I'm worried about my DC getting it in their mouth'.

Seriously, I think I remember a friend of mine having thrush when breastfeeding and it spread between her and her baby.

bluevanman · 27/12/2014 22:35

It's not likely, but I bet it's happened.. Incase you were planning to use it in your mouth?

At which point they would have advised a pill instead

lemisscared · 27/12/2014 22:36

well i needed some canesten last week. i asked for some and was given it but noticed "canesten thrush" and asked the difference. she said the one i had was for "the body" so i swapped it for the one "down there" all very discreet untill dd piped up "but what IS thrush mummy, tell meeeeeeee" cue swift exit

scousadelic · 27/12/2014 22:36

They have to ask as there is a 1% cream for feet, etc and a 2% cream for thrush which is only available at the pharmacy counter

If you buy it at the supermarket you will only get the weaker cream which may not be adequate. It's annoying and she could have phrased it better but she is only doing her job to make sure you get the right product

Bair · 27/12/2014 22:37

Yes, but the Boots with pharmacists tend to have those wee consultation rooms.

The best approach is 'Do you need any advice on this product/I have to give you advice on this product, would you prefer a consultation room'.

Although the product can be used on many body parts, as the vagina is one of them I think some discretion is best. Also, if you NEED to ask these questions, how come the supermarkets can sell it?

Original poster
Nancyclancy · 27/12/2014 22:37

The foot cream was on a general shelf and the one I needed I had to ask for. Just thought it was a bit odd, because she asked but then didn't give any further advice after she'd asked me.

OP posts:
FamiliesShareGerms · 27/12/2014 22:38

Had a Conversation once with a pharmacist who wanted to know about severity of symptoms - I thought that's what the little consulting room was for Angry

Original poster
Nancyclancy · 27/12/2014 22:40

I do appreciate that she has to ask, it just caught me by surprise.

OP posts:
WyldChyld · 27/12/2014 22:41

The little consulting room is often in use - sometimes for things like writing up notes and stuff as well as consultations. Often, it's only for use by the pharmacist. Generally, you're expected to have the discussions on the shop floor - hence why we ask other people to queue further back

bluevanman · 27/12/2014 22:44

I remember buying some once and the cashier, (Boots Trafford center I think) rather than ask questions, gave me a laminated sheet of paper, with checklist of "are you pg, have you had thrush in last 6 months, etc" and a written list of body parts for me to point at. Very discreet

SockyWockyDooDaaa · 27/12/2014 22:45

I find the pharmacy staff Boots so incredibly rude and patronising!

Three months ago they told me there was no such thing as Osgood Schlatters! It may well be recognised by the NHS but according to them I was mistaken as no such condition exists, actually they laughed at me when I wrote it down for them!

I emailed head office, have yet to hear back actually. Will never use them again..

WyldChyld · 27/12/2014 22:56

blue - it was something I was trying to bring in when I worked for Boots (different store). Fair enough, we couldn't do it for everything, but for some of the common ailments etc.

Socky - jesus, that's bad. I would like to say we're not all like that (I wasn't haha) but some are idiots and should never had been taken on. I once had a customer convinced he had cervical cancer as he'd had some of the symptoms he'd read happen with them - even when someone was sure he had something, I always tried to take them seriously and explain respectfully

radiobedhead · 27/12/2014 23:24

I had to buy some thrush cream last week. I'm usually a bit shy about these things but my new fuckit attitude helped. The pharmacist had a vag, as did the other woman working there and the woman in the queue with me. And the main in the queue probably knew about vag. I asked openly and honestly. It felt good!

Was a bit Hmm when they didn't understand why I wanted some for dh too. She said she'd rather DH went in so he could discuss which method of treatment he would prefer. I suggested the pessary up the vag probably wouldn't work on him....

TopazRocks · 27/12/2014 23:46

Once I was buying a canestan pessary (Boots too) and a very young lad asked me the questions, but only if I'd had it diagnosed by a HCP. I just answered I am a HCP and had worked it out for myself. SmileIt didn't bother me really, I feel quite matter of fact about such matters, but then the two middle-aged women beside him on the till launched in with very loud apologies that he was 'just new and had to ask' etc. This was somehow much worse than just letting the lad do his job. Blush

These days I just send DH. Once, when asking for a vaginal pessary, he was asked 'Is it for the lady?'. He wanted to say 'She's no lady, she's my wife' Grin, but apparently just said, 'Yes, it's for the lady'. Some of the staff are just so coy, it's quite amusing really.

But I'm old enough to recall the days when Dr Whites got wrapped in newspaper before you left the shop. Smile

CrohnicChristmas · 28/12/2014 07:43

radio I've had that as well. GP prescribed me a pessary and told me to make sure DH got treated, but I'd have to buy his treatment as GP couldn't prescribe on his behalf. Went to the pharmacy to get my prescription and something for DH and she wouldn't give it to me as 'men need to be diagnosed by a doctor because it's unusual for them to get thrush'. I explained what the doctor had said, but still they wouldn't give me anything. I ended up buying cream at a different pharmacy and saying it was for me, and just hoping that the cream was suitable.

Hatespiders · 28/12/2014 09:12

Donkeys' years ago there wasn't Canestan, and you were given Gentian Violet. Sounds very pretty and it was in a way. It was a bright purple liquid you dabbed on your bits with cotton wool. Your entire vulva glowed bright mauve. Then Nystatin became available, but Canestan is more effective.

We've always found the Boots staff in the branches in Norwich to be very helpful and pleasant. The pharmacists are so knowledgeable and very willing to advise/recommend stuff. The checkout people too are apparently trained to be polite and cheerful. Or maybe they just are by nature!