Ask the Pharmacist

In the latest edition of Ask The Pharmacist, Mounthawk Pharmacy’s Pat and Maria discuss how to keep yourself safe and well on your holidays.

The holiday season is in full swing and we are seeing what seems like more people flying out on holidays than ever before. When planning your holiday itinerary there are a few products available here in Mounthawk Allcare Pharmacy that every traveller will need in their suitcase. What follows is a brief summary of these items.

The Irish love the sun but it’s official-the sun does not love the Irish. We have one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world so it is vital that we do whatever we can to mitigate our risk. Sun-cream is an absolute must when travelling abroad to sunnier climes. It comes in a range of factors and the fairer the skin the higher the factor you should apply. Look for a reputable brand that offers excellent protection against UVA and UVB-if in doubt call in and we will talk you through the many options available. Here in Mounthawk Pharmacy we stock an enormous range of
sun-creams, including such
wonderful brands as La Roche Posay, P20, Eucerin, Ambre Solaire, Nivea and Calypso. Whatever requirement you may have we have the right product for you. These products are available as face creams, body mists, roll ons and in traditional cream form. Make sure to apply liberally and often throughout the day. One thing to remember is you can get burnt even on an overcast day so sun-cream is something we really need to use more often when we are spending time outdoors over the summer months. If you do get burnt, make sure to take Ibuprofen to bring down the inflammation and apply a good quality after-sun product. Hydration is the name of the game and make sure you consume plenty of water in hot weather.

One thing to remember is our eyes can be easily damaged by the sun’s rays so it is always wise to wear sunglasses when out in the sun. Polarised sunglasses offer the best protection and luckily we have a fantastic range of affordable sunglasses right here in Mounthawk Pharmacy. For all the fashionistas out there, we also stock exclusive Karen Millen and Ted Baker sunglasses at very reasonable prices. These are flying off the shelves so pop in to see us quickly before they are gone.

An upset tummy can ruin your holiday plans so it is important to lessen the risk of this occurring. Tap water in some countries is not up to the same standard as Irish water supplies so often it is a good idea to use bottled water when cooking. If you do develop diarrhoea, Dioralyte sachets will help to prevent dehydration and Imodium or Arret will help to stop the diarrhoea. Motilium tablets work great to stop feelings of nausea, however you must be over 12 years old to use them. Indigestion can occur when trying exotic food so Nexium, Gaviscon or Rennies will help with the feelings of heartburn.

Call into store in Mounthawk Pharmacy where we have all the products you need to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday!