Keep Well This Summer

There is always a focus on winter illness such as colds and flu, but summer brings its own set of health challenges.

There are plenty of things you can try at home, so read on for more information!

Hayfever

If you are suffering with hay fever, your pharmacist will be able to offer a variety of over-the-counter medication, including options suitable for children. There is also a lot of advice available online at Hay fever - NHS (www.nhs.uk).

The most effective treatment is a combination of an oral antihistamine, an allergy nasal spray and allergy eye drops containing Sodium Cromoglicate, all of which are available from the pharmacy.

There are other things you can do to ease your symptoms, especially when the pollen count is high. These include popping some Vaseline under your nose to trap the pollen, avoiding mowing the lawn or walking on cut grass, and not drying your washing outside. You can find more tips at Hay Fever | Allergy UK | National Charity 

We understand that hay fever can make you feel miserable and can be particularly unpleasant for young children. Please contact your pharmacist in the first instance – they will be able to help. However, if after a few days, over-the-counter therapy is not improving your symptoms, or if they are getting worse, please contact your GP.

Ticks & Insect Bites

In the first instance, your local pharmacy can help if you have been bitten by a tick or other insect. This includes infected bites that might need treatment.

If you have been bitten by a tick, these should be removed as soon as possible, and you can easily do this at home. Have a look at this video for some simple instructions. You can buy tick removers online or from your local pharmacy.

Keeping Cool in Hot Weather

Whilst most of us love a warm, sunny day, there are health risks associated with really hot weather, espeically for some groups of patients.

During heatwaves, more people than usual become seriously ill. When the hot weather hits this summer, make sure you look after yourself and the health of those around you. Visit Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather - NHS for a wealth of information about keeping cool this summer.

Travelling Abroad

Take a look at our Travel Advice page to find out more about travel vaccinations.