Ask the Pharmacist – Mounthawk Allcare
After what seems like a seven year wait, summer is finally here. We hope that you all are enjoying the beautiful weather and making the most of it. It is officially the year of the staycation. So where once we had notions of holidaying in Marbella and Capri, this year, Moyvane and Cahirciveen are where it’s at. In this second edition of our Ask the Pharmacist column, Mounthawk Allcare Pharmacy’s fabulous pharmacist Maria O’Meara is here to explain how to stay safe in the summer weather.
“Whether you are travelling away or staying at home, there are some essentials that we should all keep in our medicine cabinet at home to stay safe in the summer months. Principal among them would be a good factor suncream. When choosing your suncream, always look at the star rating (protects against UVA radiation) and the SPF factor (protects against UVB radiation). These are both displayed prominently on the front of suncreams and the higher the value the better. There are a huge range of suncare products available these days including Nivea, Ambre Solaire, P20 as well as more specialised ones from La Roche Posay that are formulated for those with sensitive skin. If you have any questions about which product is suitable for you and your family, pop into store where we will be happy to help you pick the right product. Remember to limit your time in the sun during the day, especially in the mid afternoon when the sun intensity is at it’s highest. If the unspeakable should happen and you find yourself developing a pink hue, be sure to apply plenty of aftersun to limit the skin damage and take some anti-inflammatories to control the pain. Do not neglect to protect your eyes as well-slip on a pair of polarised sunglasses as well as a hat when outdoors for maximum protection.
Unfortunately, the good weather also brings out a lot of bugs as well and we see a lot of people presenting with nasty insect bites this time of year. There are two ways to combat this. The first one consists of investing in a good quality fly swatter and practicing your ninja skills when outdoors in swatting those biting insects away. However, this can sometimes attract strange looks from passing strangers as well as expends a lot of energy so we do not advocate this option. The easier option is to apply some insect repellent which should help keep biting insects as bay. Should you get bitten, applying some antihistamine cream or a mild steroid to the bite will usually minimise any distress. If in doubt, contact your pharmacy team who will decide on the best course of action.
An upset tummy is common at this time of year with many of us eating out at barbeques etc. If this happens make sure to stay hydrated with oral rehydration sachets. These come in a variety of flavours and are an invaluable part of your medicine box. Motilium tablets can help to keep nausea at bay and Buscopan tablets work wonders for stomach cramps.
Whatever you get up to this month, the team here at Mounthawk Allcare pharmacy hope you enjoy it and that the fine weather will continue for this month”
Message from owners Patrick Harmon and
Shane O Neill:
This month marks the one year anniversary of us taking over this pharmacy and we are beyond humbled at the warm welcome that we have received from the local area. Our customers mean everything to us and we are so thankful for your continued support in these difficult times. So whether you need some advice or just a friendly chat, we are always here to serve our local community as best we can. So thank you again for a great first year and here’s to many more.
We will be running a competition to win a beautiful hamper to celebrate our one year anniversary this month so pop into store to stick your name down to be in with a chance to win.
If you need any advice feel free to contact All Care Pharmacy Mounthawk on :
E: mounthawk@allcarepharmacy.ie |
Ph: (066) 712 8989
mounthawkallcarepharmacy
