Whether it’s for an injury or a hangover, painkillers are an incredible useful medicine. However, as a result of COVID-19, specifically the Omicron variant, supplies of the drug are starting to run low. This is because those with Omicron are buying up most of the paracetamol in order to alleviate their symptoms. According to date, nearly a third of shops are running low on paracetamol.
Furthermore, the public are buying more rolls of loo paper as well.
This, it is presumed, is to use as tissues to combat the running noses that can also occur as a result of the variant.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), that collects the data, said that 10 percent of shops were running low on loo roll.
Omicron has spread across Europe like an invisible blanket.
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The most common symptoms so far are a runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and a sore throat, similar symptoms to the common cold.
While news of a shortage of painkillers may sound unnerving, the ONS said that 71 percent of shops still have a high or medium level of painkillers.
Nevertheless, the possibility that shops may run out of pain relief should not be discounted.
Fortunately, there are a few natural remedies for pain relief that can be tried should that ailment prove just a bit too rough.
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These include lavender oil; some research suggests it can help relieve pain naturally as well as to ease anxiety and to help them sleep.
Traditionally lavender oil is inhaled but should not be ingested as it can prove toxic; other oils used include rosemary and eucalyptus.
Since there is no shortage on paracetamol, there is no need to rush to buy these natural oils.
More information about pain relief is available on the NHS.
