Summer

HAYFEVER

Hayfever is an allergic reaction to pollen or mould spores and affects about 12 million people in the UK, occurring mainly in the spring and summer months. Symptoms such as sneezing & general nasal discomfort, watery itchy eyes, and sore throats can affect people’s quality of life resulting in headaches, general grogginess, sleep disturbance and poor concentration.

 Whilst it is impossible to avoid pollen completely, fortunately there are things you can do to limit your symptoms:

• Try to avoid being outdoors at the peak pollen times of early morning and early evening.
• Avoid mowing the lawn and walking in tall grasses, or lying on freshly cut grass.
• Check the local pollen counts (newspapers / television / internet) and try to stay indoors when counts are high.
• Keep windows and doors shut – in the house, office and car
• Use pollen filters in car air vents, office air conditioning…
• Wear wrap-around sunglasses to protect the eyes from airborne pollen grains.
• Put a smear of petroleum jelly inside each nostril to trap any pollen entering the nose.
• Take hayfever medication as directed by your pharmacist or doctor.

A range of effective medication, suitable for all age groups, is available from our pharmacies to help relieve the symptoms of hayfever. These are in the form of tablets, liquids, nasal sprays and eye drops. Often the choice of medication will depend on what symptoms are troubling you the most. Please speak to our trained healthcare staff and pharmacists if you would like to know more about any of these medicines.

SUN PROTECTION

With the number of people developing skin cancer increasing at alarming rates, protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun (ultraviolet (u.v) rays) is a must. 

Sunscreens: These protect the skin either by forming a chemical filter (absorb the sun’s rays preventing skin damage) or by forming a physical filter (reflect the sun’s rays off the body).

Ideally you should choose a sunscreen which protects from both the harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun.

 SPF (sun protection factor) is a measure used on sunscreens to tell you how effective a product is at filtering UVB rays from the sun. The higher the SPF, the more effective the product should be at filtering out the UVB rays.

UVA stars are another way of measuring how effective a product is. However this method measures the effectiveness of UVA protection in relation to its UVB protection. The more stars, the better the protection.

Ideal products will have a SPF of at least 15 (SPF over 25 for children, people with eczema and people who burn easily) and at least 4 stars.  

Top tips…

• Apply the sunscreen at least half an hour before going out into the sun.
• Apply plenty of lotion/cream and ensure there is even coverage.
• Re-apply the cream/lotion regularly
• All areas exposed to the sun should be protected. This includes areas such as the ears, lips and nose. It is a good idea to use a stick applicator for these areas.
• If it likely that you will get wet whilst out in the sunshine, you should use a product which is either waterproof (preferred) or water-repellent. You should reapply the lotion or cream when you are dry.
• If you sweat a lot, or will be running around in the sun, choose a sunscreen containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide which isn’t absorbed and ensure that you apply it frequently.
• It is important to remember that no one product provides total protection from the sun and it is recommended that you avoid being exposed to the sun when the UV rays are at their strongest during midday.
• Whilst sun creams generally have a long shelf-life it is strongly recommended that you replace your sunscreen every year since both heat and bacteria will damage sunscreens making them less effective. 

If you would like further advice please speak to our trained healthcare assistants or pharmacists.

HOLIDAY HEALTH

• Allergy / hayfever medication

Tablets and liquids are available from the pharmacy containing antihistamines.

Care should be taken if you will be driving to avoid formulations which may cause drowsiness. Ask our trained healthcare staff or pharmacist for advice.

• Blisters

Special plasters are available from the pharmacy to protect skin and aid heeling of painful blisters, particularly if you are on a walking holiday. Alternatively plasters and dressings are available to cover and protect wounds.

• Constipation

A change in diet and travel can cause constipation which can be treated in the short term with a laxative. There are many different formulations available and our healthcare and pharmacy staff would be pleased to advise you as to the most suitable product to use.

Constipation is best avoided by taking regular exercise, drinking plenty of water or fruit juices and eating plenty of fibre rich foods such as cereals

• Diarrhoea

It is important to keep hydrated should you experience traveller’s diarrhoea. Use oral rehydration salts to maintain appropriate fluid salts and to prevent excessive water loss.

Only drink water which is sealed bottled water or water when has been sterilised or boiled and cooled. When washing foods such as salads and fruit ensure you do not use local tap water. Avoid ice cubes in drinks when you go out as these are usually made from the local tap water.

Avoid eating fish or shell fish which have been left out in the heat all day.

Ensure you thoroughly wash your hands before eating.

If you have diarrhoea symptoms, avoid dairy products and drinks containing coffee and alcohol.

Medicines such as loperamide may be appropriate for you to take on a short term basis to treat mild symptoms. Discuss with your pharmacist whether this would be a suitable option for you.

If your symptoms persist on return from your holiday, or if you develop a high fever or bloody stools, you should to seek medical advice from a doctor.

• DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)

Traveller’s are often at increased risk of developing DVTs (blood clots) when on log haul flights due to dehydration and lack of exercise. When on long haul flights you should drink plenty of water (avoid alcohol where possible) and regularly exercise your legs and ankles. Simple exercises which can be performed whilst seated are often highlighted in the in-flight magazines.

Small doses of aspirin are often taken to help prevent DVTs occurring. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist to see whether this would be appropriate for you to take. In addition, our pharmacies stock flight socks, which are specially designed to protect the lower legs.

• Heartburn / Indigestion

Symptoms of heart burn and indigestion are often worsened by a change in diet particularly on holiday when often rich foods and alcohol are consumed.  Antacids can be purchased from our pharmacies to relieve the pain and discomfort of heart burn and indigestion.

• Insect bites and stings

A variety of products are available from our pharmacies to help prevent insect bites, or to treat insect bites and stings.

• Malaria

If you are travelling abroad this summer it is important that you check whether it is necessary to protect yourself from malaria. Our pharmacists have access to up-to-date information and would be happy to advise you.  Products are also available to help prevent being bitten in the first place.

• Pain relief

It is always worth taking on holiday something to relieve a headache or other unforeseen pains such as toothaches or sprains. Speak to our pharmacist about the most appropriate pain relief for you.

• Prescribed medicines

If you are currently taking medicines prescribed by your doctor, ensure that you have sufficient to cover your time away from home as the  same medicine may not be available elsewhere or may prove to be a costly expense.  Ensure medicines are stored safely and at normal temperatures.

• Safe sex

A range of good quality condoms are available in the UK to reduce the chances of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS.

However, should you have found yourself at risk, pregnancy tests and free confidential Chlamydia screening tests are available from our pharmacies should you have concerns that you may be pregnant or have contracted a sexually transmitted disease. Please talk to our trained staff who will respect your confidence and be able to advise you.

• Sunburn

Whilst it is best not to get burnt by applying plenty of sunblock and avoiding over exposure to the sun, products are available from the pharmacy to help relieve the symptoms of sunburn. Please talk to our pharmacy staff about the best product for you.

• Sun protection

See the above section about use of sun blocks.

• Travel sickness

Please talk to our pharmacy staff about the best product to help prevent symptoms of travel sickness. Various products are available ranging from fast acting anti-histamines to travel bands. Care should be taken when deciding the best product to use since some medicines can cause drowsiness and care should be taken if you are driving.

• Water purification

Water purification tablets are obtainable from our pharmacies and from most outdoor pursuit stores.