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The heat wave we are now experiencing brings with it
a wave of ailments we all would rather do without. But
you don't need to suffer in silence, get down to your
pharmacist who is there to give you advice and come
to the rescue with all those hot weather blues. The
Consumer Heath Information centre gives some handy advice
to get you through the upcoming summer weather both
at home and while on holiday abroad.
- Soaking up the rays: Avoid spending long
lengths of time out in the sun, especially in the
middle of the day when the rays are at their strongest.
Remember, even when the clouds are in the sky, the
sun's harmful rays are reaching you. If you are out
in the sun, cover-up with a high- sun protection factor
cream and wear a sun-hat or carry an umbrella to protect
you. Fill up on fluids and make sure you have water
with you, especially when travelling. Avoiding dehydration
will hopefully keep those summer headaches and many
of those hot weather blues away.
- Summer headaches: Get yourself a good pair
of sunglasses to avoid headaches and eye stress. If
you are suffering from headaches, as well as ensuring
you are well hydrated and staying out of the sun,
there are a range of pain relief remedies containing
aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen that should ease
your suffering by reducing pain and a temperature.
Rest and don't overdo it.
- Prickly heat / sweat rash: Prickly heat
and sweat rash doesn't just happen to babies. When
the heat is turned up, we all naturally sweat more
and it can lead to your skin becoming irritated. This
leads to a red cluster of pimples or blisters. There
are a number of powders that can help keep the affected
area dry and will help increase your comfort, available
in supermarkets and your pharmacist.
- Hayfever / allergy: The main symptoms of
hayfever or allergies are sneezing, runny nose, blocked
nose, itchy nose and throat, and watering eyes. You
can develop hayfever at any stage in life, so don't
assume you aren't suffering from it just because you
never have before. Antihistamines are generally effective
in controlling the typical symptoms of hayfever: sneezing,
running nose, watery eyes and itching nose and throat.
They are generally most effective if taken before
the symptoms occur rather than after they have started.
You can take antihistamines orally or nasally. Most
eye symptoms caused by hay fever will be controlled
by antihistamines. If your eyes are particularly troublesome,
you may find it useful to use eye drops. If your hayfever
symptoms only occur in the eyes, products containing
sodium cromoglycate are particularly helpful. Additionally,
for extra relief from a blocked nose you can take
either a topical or oral decongestant or if suffering
from sinus pain a pain relief product . Remember,
you can catch a cold at any time of the year. If you
are unsure if you are suffering from hayfever or a
cold ask your pharmacist so that you can get the best
treatment for your condition.
- It's a jungle out there: Poison oak / ivy
and nettle stings & rashes can bring unhappiness
in the summer months. There are a wide range of creams,
lotions and sprays that will ease the sting and help
clear up the redness. Common ingredients in these
medicines include zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, hydrocortisone
to clear up the redness and lidocaine or benzocaine
to soothe the pain. Ask your pharmacist for advice
on what will be most suited to you. The insects that
live in the depths of our gardens and summer walks
in the countryside can bring us hot weather blues
too when they get their pincers or stings into us.
Get yourself an insect repellent to prevent bites.
But if you are too late, relief is on hand. There
are a range of antihistamine creams and local anaesthetics
that can provide relief.
- Enjoying the food and drink of life: Finally,
by all means go out and enjoy the sun with barbecues,
picnics and flowing wine but remember alcohol dehydrates
you, so make sure you drink enough water. We all overdo
it sometimes and can end up with a bit of an upset
tummy or hangover. If you are suffering the consequences,
there are a number of remedies at hand to help you
through your recovery. There are a number of indigestion
remedies that work in different ways. Some contain
ingredients that work by neutralising the acid (antacids),
others stop the stomach from producing too much acid
(acid reducers), stop acid rising up from the stomach
(alginates), release trapped wind in the stomach (antiflatulents)
or help the stomach get back its normal movement (motility
restorers). Some remedies contain a mixture of these
ingredients. Ask your pharmacist to get the remedy
that is most suitable for you. Treat your hangover
with a pain relief product such as ibruprofen, paracetamol
or aspirin and drink plenty fluids to ensure you re-hydate
yourself.
Alan Nathan, pharmacist, lecturer and CHIC spokesperson
comments:
'The heat wave and summer months bring with it a number
of ailments that can give people the hot weather blues
from sweat rashes and hayfever to insect bites and nettle
stings. However, there are a range of remedies out there
that can give you quick symptom relief, so you can make
the most of the weather and enjoy the summer months.
If in doubt, ask your pharmacist for advice and don't
suffer in silence.'
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