While holidays abroad are the ultimate escape from the stresses of everyday life, some practicalities do remain, including the occasional need to visit a pharmacy. However, some confusion amongst holidaymakers has arisen on the Spanish island of Tenerife.

Now, a travel guru has shared his insights on the issue via social media. The TikTok user, operating under the alias knightstrider1, has imparted a crucial tip on a key difference between different types of pharmacies on the popular Canary Island. While Tenerife is home to numerous pharmacies, it also has a number of parapharmacies that sell a different range of products.

It is important that visitors to Tenerife know the difference between pharmacies and parapharmacies. The latter, the TikToker explained, tend to offer herbal substitutes instead of conventional medication.

Tourists are urged to look out for outlets marked with an “F” for Farmacia if on the hunt for traditional pharmaceutical products.

“So many people come in and complain because the shop didn’t make it clear to them, the shop didn’t really tell them,” the travel guru explained. “So just bear in mind there are pharmacies and there are parapharmacies.”

At parapharmacies, customers can find anything from suncreams, vitamins and nutritional supplements to beauty products and cosmetics. However, prescription medications will not be available.

Holidaymakers who were left confused by the difference between parapharmacies and pharmacies during their own holidays were quick to comment and express their gratitude for the distinction.

“I sent my other half to go and get Calpol for my son with a ear infection. I wondered why he came back with huge herbal pills for him to swallow,” one shared. “I thought surely you can get Calpol in Tenerife.”

Another said: “Yes, happened to me,” a common theme amongst the comments.

“My throat was bad. When I got home, I went to the doctor and turned out I had strep throat and got antibiotics.”

This guidance, although specific to Tenerife, is also applicable to other countries like France, where parapharmacies are common.