Summer health survival guide. expert health advice...right on your high street! two massive reasons to choose your local pharmacy!
This guide gives you basic advice on common summer complaints and the medicine cabinet essentials you need to treat them, helping you get ready for the school summer holidays. Your high-street pharmacy can give expert advice and treatment for common complaints. Hayfever. Hayfever is a common allergic condition that affects up to one-in-five people at some point in their life. Use over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines when you first notice symptoms or if you know there is going to be a high pollen count A decongestant nasal spray can relieve a blocked nose Use eye drops to treat the hayfever symptoms that affect your eyes, such as redness, itchiness and watering Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help with headaches
Insect Stings. An insect sting can be itchy and painful for a few days, but is harmless in most cases. Carefully remove the sting Wash the affected area with soap and water Put a cold flannel on the area Raise the part of the body that has been stung to stop swelling Avoid scratching the area to prevent infection If the sting is painful or swollen, you can also try: An ice pack on the area Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen Spray or cream with local anaesthetic, antihistamine or mild hydrocortisone Antihistamine tablets to help reduce swelling Sickness and Diarrhoea (gastroenteritis). One out of every five people in England are affected by gastroenteritis every year. Most people have only mild symptoms, and the condition improves within a few days. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration - this is particularly important for young children, older people and if you have another illness If you are more vulnerable to the effects of dehydration - for example, if you are elderly or you have another pre-existing condition - then rehydration salts are recommended. Rehydration salts are available in sachets from pharmacies
Sunburn. Protecting your skin from the sun with sunscreen is better than treating it. Most cases of sunburn can be treated at home. Cool the skin by sponging it with lukewarm water or by having a cool shower or bath Drinking plenty of fluids to help to prevent dehydration Aftersun cream will cool your skin and moisturise it, helping to relieve the feeling of tightness Calamine lotion can relieve any itching or soreness Paracetamol can be used to treat pain and control fever. Ibuprofen can relieve pain, reduce inflammation and lower a high temperature Prickly Heat. Prickly heat usually develops when a person sweats more than usual, such as during hot or humid weather. Avoiding the heat by staying in the shade and wearing loose, cotton clothing will help to ease your symptoms Apply calamine lotion to soothe the affected area of skin
Sprains and Strains. Mild to moderate sprains and strains can be treated at home. The pain should improve after four days of self-treatment. Basic advice for the first 48 to 72 hours: Rest the injured joint or muscle and avoid activity Apply ice wrapped in a damp towel to the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes, every two to three hours during the day, but not while you sleep Use a crepe or elastic bandage to limit any swelling, but take the bandage off before you go to sleep Keep the injured area raised and supported on a pillow to reduce swelling Taking paracetamol will help to relieve pain Cuts and Grazes. Cleaning cuts and grazes thoroughly and covering them with a plaster or dressing is all that is needed. To stop bleeding, apply pressure to the area using a bandage or towel Raise the part of the body that has been cut to slow down bleeding Wash and dry your hands and then clean the wound under running tap water Pat the area dry with a clean towel Do not use antiseptic cream as it may slow down healing Apply a sterile, waterproof dressing, such as a waterproof plaster. Change the dressing regularly If the wound is painful, take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
General Advice. If your symptoms suddenly get worse, or fail to improve after a few days, you can: Speak to your local pharmacy staff Look on-line for advice at www.nhs.uk Phone your GP for advice Interactive First Aid Kit. Find out what to keep in your kit and how to use it: www.nhs.uk/tools/pages/firstaidtoolkit.aspx Make sure that you Choose Well: Save yourself time Help GPs have more time to treat people with serious health problems Ensure that A&E, emergency and 999 services are free to treat people with life-threatening and emergency conditions Download further information on your mobile - go to www.northwest.nhs.uk/qr or scan the QR code on the right with your smart phone.