Dreaming of Summer

As we enter the peak of Summer 2024 we hope that the coming hot weather will get us all into the spirit and mood of Summer parties, festivals and late evening fun. This will also potentially be many families first holiday abroad since Covid and the excitement that this will bring will be resounding. So with this in mind, the topic of this blog will delve into the preparation and organisation in terms of holidays or perhaps getting organised in terms of a staycation. Luckily for you pharmacies across the country have everything you need when it comes to looking after your summer health.  From advice on travel vaccinations for paradise island hopping, to must-have essentials to keep you fit and well if you’ve got to stay at home, here’s our guide to what you need to invest in and why.

Looking forward to the hotter days and nights, make sure you are sensible whilst out and about with rising temperatures. SPF (sun protection factor) is the first port of call for all members of your family, as no one wants to burn in the sun, so have a chat with a member of the pharmacy team at Pharmhealth DCU to see what sun lotion is the right one for you. You should also remember that the sun can cause you to overheat, so it might be worth investing in products to keep you and your family cooler when the temperature gets a bit too much.

Dehydration is another cause for concern during the summer months with the young, elderly and those with underlying health conditions usually more at risk. Drinking plenty of water is of course key, but you should again ask a Pharmhealth Assistant on other ways to stay hydrated. From guiding you to a healthy diet, to the right clothing and staying shaded during the hottest part of the day, our team have a wealth of knowledge to keep you and your family safe.

Allergy Advice

Summer may bring with it a dose of much needed sunshine, but it also signals a return of hay fever, not to mention triggers in other more common allergies. Itchy eyes and a constantly streaming and sneezing nose are far from fun, so don’t hesitate to grab our attention so see if we can find solutions to the effects of this allergic reaction. Antihistamines in the form of tablets and eye drops provide some relief, while stocking up on saline nasal sprays and tissues is also advised. In the past fortnight we have notice a huge surge in hay fever sufferers and unlike other years those who have not had symptoms before. Perhaps not being exposed to allergens over the past year by lack of social interaction and mask wearing may be leading to the spike this year.

Asthma and Eczema
Astma and eczema sufferers also find their conditions may tend to worsen over the summer months, so again it is advisable to speak to us sooner rather than later for an action plan to get you through the hottest months. Make sure your inhalers are full and plentiful and that with eczema you are stocked up on all your prescribed medication and over-the-counter help, such as bathing emollients and topical ointments and creams.

Aches & Pains

You can still become under the weather, whatever time of the year, so make sure you’re stocked up and prepared for any illness the hotter months may decide to throw at you. Catching a cold; suffering from a migraine; experiencing an upset stomach – all of these are unpleasant but can be safely managed at home with products and advise form your pharmacy. Your kids will no doubt pick up a bug or two along the way now they’re back mixing together at school and camps, so invest in a new thermometer and have plenty of Calpol to hand should you find their temperature starts to rise. Summer is also bound to bring with it a few seasonal-related mishaps, from tumbles in nettles to insect bites and stings – again, it’s us at Pharmhealth you need to turn to and not your GP.

To avoid any unnecessary anxiety, it’s important to know the difference between hay fever and coronavirus, and the symptoms that can be caused by the respective conditions, particularly in those suffering hay fever for the first time.
Hay fever sufferers will often present with red, itchy, watery eyes, while COVID-19 does not result in eye-related symptoms.
Sinus pain, pressure and congestion are all symptoms associated with hay fever, but have not been reported among COVID-19 patients.
As a side effect of the allergic reaction that produces hay fever symptoms, sufferers may notice flare-up in pre-existing eczema or other rashes or hives. Coronavirus, meanwhile, does not irritate the skin.
A range of antihistamine products are available over the counter from all pharmacies to treat the symptoms associated with hay fever, and stronger medication can be prescribed by your GP.
As we approach hay fever season, we would like to remind you that allergic rhinitis (hay fever) has symptoms including a runny nose, blocked nose, cough, and sneezing. In some people, hay fever can trigger allergic asthma, causing a tight chest and difficulty breathing.
So be prepared with your anti-allergy medication, which often includes antihistamines, nasal saline douching, allergen barrier balm and nasal steroid spray. If you have allergic asthma, it is important to take your preventative inhaler regularly as prescribed and have a rescue inhaler with you at all times.

Prepare in advance – make sure that you have adequate medication and don’t leave it to the last minute to get repeat prescriptions.

Do not mistake hay fever symptoms for coronavirus. The symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature and a new, continuous cough. Hay fever does not cause a high temperature and most people with hay fever do not feel unwell. Mild to moderate hay fever is easily treated.

• 1. I understand that allergy is a disease of the auto immune system. Does that mean that having an allergy makes you more vulnerable?
     Allergy is not an autoimmune disease. Allergy is a result of an exaggerated immune response to an allergen, e.g. a particular food or pollen. Our immune system is our defense mechanism and it is there to respond to things like viruses and bacteria to defend ourselves. Do not confuse allergy, and the exaggerated immune response to an allergen, with the body being unable to mount an immune response to a virus or bacteria.
  2. 
     Do anti-allergy medications have a negative effect on immunity?
     Most anti-allergy medications do not affect immunity, but it does depend on the medication. Medication such as antihistamines and Montelukast are generally considered safe so you should continue to use these. To the best of our knowledge, there is no reason to think that antihistamines would lower the immune response. Inhaled and nasal steroids are also generally considered safe as they only target the nose or the lungs to reduce any inflammation and reduce their hypersensitivity. However, oral steroids and other immunosuppressive tablets could adversely influence immunity and a healthcare professional will need to carry out a risk-benefit evaluation, so you should seek advice from your GP or specialist for further advice on this.
  3. If I have asthma/allergies and I have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for covid-19 should I stop medication?
     Our experts strongly advise that you should not stop your medication. If your asthma gets worse then follow medical advice. Well-controlled asthmatic patients are not believed to be under significant risk and patients should continue using their anti-asthma medications.
  4. Can I keep using steroid nasal sprays?
     The advice here is that you can continue using your nasal spray. Nasal steroid sprays only target the nasal area and are only minimally absorbed and rarely into the systemic circulation. As a nasal steroid spray it acts by reducing inflammation of the nasal lining, so effectively it reduces the immune response in the nose, not the whole body. One thing that is also worth considering is a nasal saline douche or allergen barrier balm to be used in the hay fever season. These you can get over the chemist counter along with advice on how to use these.