Strep throat is a bacterial throat infection that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. Compared with a viral throat infection, strep throat symptoms are generally more severe. Only a small portion of sore throats are the result of strep throat.

What is Strep Throat?

Strep throat is a bacterial throat infection that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. Compared with a viral throat infection, strep throat symptoms are generally more severe. It’s important to identify strep throat for a number of reasons. If untreated, strep throat can sometimes cause complications. Strep throat is most common between the ages of 5 and 15, but it affects people of all ages. If you or your child has signs or symptoms of strep throat, see your doctor for prompt treatment.

Symptoms of Strep Throat

• Throat pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus
• Tiny red spots on the soft or hard palate — the area at the back of the roof of the mouth
• Swollen, tender lymph glands (nodes) in your neck
• Fever
• Headache
• Rash
• Stomach ache and sometimes vomiting, especially in younger children
• Fatigue

It’s possible for you or your child to have many of these signs and symptoms, but not have strep throat. The cause of these signs and symptoms could be a viral infection or some other kind of illness. That’s why your doctor generally tests specifically for strep throat. It’s also possible to have the bacteria that can cause strep in your throat without having a sore throat. Some people are carriers of strep, which means they can pass the bacteria on to others, but the bacteria are not currently making them sick.

Causes of Strep Throat

The cause of strep throat is bacteria known as Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus.

Streptococcal bacteria are highly contagious. They can spread through airborne droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks. You can also pick up the bacteria from a doorknob or other surface and transfer them to your nose or mouth.

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase your risk of strep throat infection:

• Young age. Strep throat occurs most commonly in children between the ages of 5 and 15.
• Time of year. Although strep throat can occur anytime of the year, it tends to circulate in late fall and early spring. Strep bacteria flourish wherever groups of people are in close contact. That’s why the infection spreads easily among family members, in schools and in child care settings.

Diagnosis

Doctors usually diagnose the cause of a sore throat on the basis of a physical exam and lab tests.

During the exam, your doctor looks for signs and symptoms of strep throat, such as fever and enlarged lymph nodes, and will probably use a tongue depressor to get a good look at the throat and tonsils.

Your doctor will check for redness, swelling, and white streaks or pus on the tonsils. There also may be tiny red spots on the soft or hard palate — the area at the back of the roof of the mouth. Although these signs indicate an infection, appearance alone doesn’t indicate whether it’s viral or bacterial. In fact, some viral throat infections look worse than infections caused by streptococcal bacteria.

For that reason, your doctor is likely to use one or more of the following tests to check for the presence of bacteria, including streptococcal bacteria:

• Throat culture. For this test, a sterile swab is rubbed over the back of the throat and tonsils to get a sample of the secretions. It’s not a painful procedure, but it may cause brief gagging. The sample is then cultured in a laboratory for the presence of bacteria, but results may take as long as two days.
• Rapid antigen test. Because of lack of availability or the waiting period for a throat culture, your doctor may order a rapid antigen test on the swab sample. This test can detect strep bacteria in minutes by looking for foreign substances (antigens) in the throat. If you or your child tests positive for strep bacteria, antibiotic treatment can begin right away. But rapid strep tests have a downside. They may miss some strep throat infections. For this reason, many doctors still use throat cultures, especially if results of the rapid antigen test are negative.
• Rapid DNA test. Newer rapid tests use DNA technology to detect strep throat from a throat swab in a day or less. These tests are as accurate as throat cultures, and the results are available sooner.

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Cystitis is the medical term for inflammation of the bladder. Most of the time, the inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection, in which case it may be referred to as a urinary tract infection (UTI).

What is Cystitis?

• Cystitis is the medical term for inflammation of the bladder. Most of the time, the inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection, in which case it may be referred to as a urinary tract infection (UTI). A bladder infection can be painful and annoying, and can become a serious health problem if the infection spreads to your kidneys.
• Less commonly, cystitis may occur as a reaction to certain drugs, radiation therapy or potential irritants, such as feminine hygiene spray or long-term use of a catheter.

Symptoms of Cystitis?

• Discomfort in the pelvic area
• A feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen
• Passing cloudy or strong-smelling urine
• A strong, persistent urge to urinate
• A burning sensation when urinating
• Passing frequent, small amounts of urine

Causes of Cystitis?

Your urinary system includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. All play a role in removing waste from your body. Your kidneys — a pair of bean-shaped organs located toward the back of your upper abdomen — filter waste from your blood and regulate the concentrations of many substances. Tubes called ureters carry urine from your kidneys to the bladder, where it’s stored until it exits your body through the urethra.

Bacterial Cystitis

UTIs typically occur when bacteria outside the body enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply. The urinary system is designed to keep out such microscopic invaders. The bladder secretes a protective coating that prevents bacteria from attaching to its wall. Urine also has antibacterial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria. However, certain factors increase the chances that bacteria will take hold and multiply into a full-blown infection.

Bacterial bladder infections may occur in women as a result of sexual intercourse. During sexual activity, bacteria may be introduced into the bladder through the urethra. But even sexually inactive girls and women are susceptible to lower urinary tract infections because the female genital area often harbours bacteria that can cause cystitis.

Non-Infectious Cystitis

Although bacterial infections are the most common cause of cystitis, a number of noninfectious factors also may cause the bladder to become inflamed. Some examples:

• Interstitial cystitis. The cause of this chronic bladder inflammation, also called painful bladder syndrome, is unclear. Most cases are diagnosed in women. The condition can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
• Drug-induced cystitis. Certain medications, particularly the chemotherapy drugs cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide, can cause inflammation of your bladder as the broken-down components of the drugs exit your body.
• Radiation cystitis. Radiation treatment of the pelvic area can cause inflammatory changes in bladder tissue.
• Foreign-body cystitis. Long-term use of a catheter can predispose you to bacterial infections and to tissue damage, both of which can cause inflammation.
• Chemical cystitis. Some people may be hypersensitive to chemicals contained in certain products, such as bubble bath, feminine hygiene sprays or spermicidal jellies, and may develop an allergic-type reaction within the bladder, causing inflammation.
• Cystitis associated with other conditions. Cystitis may sometimes occur as a complication of other disorders, such as gynecologic cancers, pelvic inflammatory disorders, endometriosis, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, lupus and tuberculosis.

Treating Cystitis

Antibiotics are the first line of treatment for cystitis caused by bacteria. Which drugs are used and for how long depend on your overall health and the bacteria found in your urine.

Usually symptoms improve significantly within a day or so of treatment. However, you’ll likely need to take antibiotics for three days to a week, depending on the severity of your infection. No matter what the length of treatment, take the entire course of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor to ensure that the infection is completely eradicated.

If you have recurrent UTIs, your doctor may recommend longer antibiotic treatment or refer you to a doctor who specializes in urinary tract disorders (urologist or nephrologist) for an evaluation, to see if urologic abnormalities may be causing the infections. For some women, taking a single dose of an antibiotic after sexual intercourse may be helpful.

Hospital-acquired bladder infections can be a challenge to treat because bacteria found in hospitals are often resistant to the common types of antibiotics used to treat community-acquired bladder infections. For that reason, different types of antibiotics and different treatment approaches may be needed.

Preventing Cystitis

Cranberry juice or tablets containing proanthocyanidin are the only home remedies proven to reduce your risk of recurrent bladder infections. However, don’t drink cranberry juice if you’re taking the blood-thinning medication warfarin (Coumadin). Possible interactions between cranberry juice and warfarin can lead to bleeding.

Although other preventive self-care steps have not been well studied, doctors routinely recommend the following for women who’ve had repeated bladder infections:

• Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Drinking lots of fluids is especially important if you’re undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, particularly on treatment days.
• Urinate frequently. If you feel the urge to urinate, don’t delay using the toilet.
• Wipe from front to back after a bowel movement. This prevents bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
• Take showers rather than baths. If you’re susceptible to infections, showering rather than bathing may help prevent them.
• Gently wash the skin around the vagina and anus. Do this daily, but don’t use harsh soaps or wash too vigorously. The delicate skin around these areas can become irritated.
• Empty your bladder as soon as possible after intercourse. Drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.
• Avoid using deodorant sprays or feminine products in the genital area. These products can irritate the urethra and bladder.

For more information Pop into Brookes Pharmacy or Phone us on: 023-8841136

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Use sunscreen every day, even if it’s cloudy.

Apply at least one ounce of sunscreen (enough to fill a shot glass) at least 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. Also use a lip balm or lipstick that contains sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.

Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. Make sure it is water resistant and has a SPF of 30 or higher. Other sunscreens may help keep you from getting sunburned, but they won’t protect against skin cancer.

Reapply sunscreen every two hours. Reapply every hour if you are swimming or sweating. share on twitter

Be extra careful around water and sand. These surfaces reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of getting a sunburn.

Keep babies younger than 6 months old completely covered and in the shade.

Limit the amount of time you’re in the sun between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. This is when the sun’s rays are the most intense. Practice the shadow rule: if your shadow is shorter than you, the sun’s rays are at their strongest, and you should find shade.

If possible, wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Dark clothing with tightly woven fabric blocks more sun than white or loosely woven fabrics. For additional protection, look for clothes made with special sun-protective materials.

Accessorise with a hat that shades your face, neck, and ears and a pair of sunglasses. Sunglasses with lenses that have 99% to 100% UV absorption provide optimal protection for the eyes and the surrounding skin.

Be even more cautious if you are taking medications that may make you more sensitive to the sun. share on twitter These include specific types of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, antifungals, blood pressure medications, and chemotherapies.

source Cancer.net

For more information and advice please pop into us in the Pharmacy.
We stock a wide variety of different brands suitable for all skin types.
Brands include – Vichy, Mustela, Uriage, Moogoo, Elave and many more.

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Croup is a childhood condition that affects the windpipe, the airways to the lungs and the voice box. Children with croup have a distinctive barking cough and will make a harsh sound, known as when they breathe in. They may also have a hoarse voice and find it difficult to breathe because their airway is blocked.

Croup can usually be diagnosed by a GP and treated at home. However, if your child’s symptoms are severe and they are finding it difficult to breathe, take them to the nearest hospital’s accident and emergency department.

Why does croup happen?

Commonly, croup is caused by a virus.

Who is affected by croup?

Croup usually affects young children aged between six months and three years, with most cases occurring in one-year-olds.
However, croup can sometimes develop in babies as young as three months, and older children up to 15 years of age. Adults can also get croup but this is rare. The condition is more common during the late autumn and early winter months. It tends to affect more boys than girls. A child may experience croup more than once during childhood.

Treating croup

Most cases of croup are mild and can be treated at home.

Sitting your child upright and comforting them if they are distressed is important, because crying may make symptoms worse.

Your child should also drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

A single dose of an medication will usually also be prescribed to help reduce the swelling in the throat.

If your child has breathing problems they may need hospital treatment, such as adrenaline and oxygen through a mask.

Complications

Most cases of croup clear up within 48 hours.
However, in some cases symptoms can last for up to two weeks.
It is extremely rare for a child to die from croup.
There are a number of conditions that can follow croup, such as pneumonia and middle ear infection.

Preventing croup

Croup is spread in a similar way to the common cold, so it is difficult to prevent.

Good hygiene is the main defence against croup, such as regularly washing hands and cleaning surfaces.

A number of your child’s routine vaccinations also protect against some of the infections that can cause croup. These include:
MMR – protection from measles, mumps and rubella
DTaP/IPV/Hib – protection from diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b.

For more information or assistance please feel free to call into the pharmacy for more hints and tips on helping your little one.

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Why do we need Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is important for the development of healthy bone, muscles and teeth and low levels are linked to illnesses including rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults.

Evidence is also emerging that vitamin D may help reduce the risk of bowel cancer and other cancers and may be linked to a number of other diseases.

How do we get Vitamin D?

Eating a healthy balanced diet

Choosing foods that contain vitamin D is an important part of maintaining a health vitamin D level.  The best foods to help with this are:

• Cod liver oil.
• Oily fish such as salmon and fresh tuna.

Other foods with small amounts of vitamin D include:

• Egg yolks.
• Beef.
• Breakfast cereals that have added vitamin D
• Milk with added vitamin D

Exposure to Sunlight

Sun exposure is the best natural source of vitamin D.  When ultra violet (UV) radiation touches the skin vitamin D is made.

During the summer months in Ireland spending a few minutes in the sun is the best way for your body to produce vitamin D.  It is unlikely that your skin will make vitamin D in the winter months.  But, the body can store enough to last between 30 – 60 days.

Because UV exposure is also linked to skin cancer getting a balance between safe sun exposure and vitamin D production is important.  You don’t need to spend hours in the sun to produce enough vitamin D. Extra time outdoors doesn’t equal more vitamin D, but it does increase skin cancer risk.

Walking outdoors for a few minutes to get your lunch, to pick up the children or hang out the clothes all counts.

The World Health Organisation advice is to get 5 to 15 minutes of casual sun exposure to hands, face and arms two to three times a week during the summer months. In this way sun exposure as you go about your daily life really makes a difference.

But, remember:

• Never let your skin redden or burn to get vitamin D.
• Take extra care if you have fair skin because you are more at risk of sunburn.
• Never use a sunbed to increase your vitamin D levels.
• It is important to protect your skin with the SunSmart code to reduce skin cancer risk.

Taking a daily Vitamin D supplement

According to the HSE, taking a daily vitamin D supplement is another way to meet your vitamin D needs. They suggest taking a supplement that provides 5 micrograms of vitamin D3 per day.  However, it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor before taking a supplement.

The HSE also recommend that all babies from birth to 12 months are given a vitamin D supplement. To find out more about this speak with your GP.

Vitamin D: who is at risk of deficiency?

There are a number of people who are at risk of having a low vitamin D level. They include:

• People with darker skin.
• People who cover up their bodies completely when going outside.
• Older people who don’t get outdoors much.
• People who avoid the sun.
• Women who are pregnant.
• Babies who are being breast feed and whose mums have low levels of vitamin D.
• People with certain conditions which affect vitamin D metabolism.

If you  are worried or at risk of having a low vitamin D level talk to your GP or Pharmacist about taking a vitamin D supplement.

For more information visit: https://www.cancer.ie/reduce-your-risk/sunsmart/vitamin-D?gclid=CMTMisTiuc8CFaNZ2wodIXEJQQ#sthash.vIWCygQ1.dpbs

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Especially for Mums!

EATING WELL

A healthy balanced diet is always important, especially after giving birth. Use the food pyramid to help you choose a daily balanced diet. Choose three servings of milk, cheese and yoghurt. To avoid constipation, especially if you had stitches or bruising, eat foods high in fibre, such as vegetables, fruit, wholemeal, wholegrain or brown varieties of bread, cereals, pasta or rice. Aim to drink a lot of water each day, at least 8 cups, especially if breastfeeding.

SMOKING / DRINKING ALCOHOL

If you gave up smoking during your pregnancy you gave your baby a great start. Try to stay off cigarettes as smoking around your baby can contribute to cot death. Help and support is available on www.quit.ie or pop into Brookes Pharmacy and talk to one of our Pharmacists who would be happy to help! or alternatively, talk to your GP.

If you stopped drinking alcohol during your pregnancy now may be a good time to look at your drinking habits. Do you know your limits? Do you know what a standard drink is? Find out more at www.yourdrinking.ie.

POSTNATAL CHECK

Six weeks after your baby is born, you are due for a routine postnatal check by your doctor, including a breast check. If you have not had a recent cervical smear test before your pregnancy then you should discuss your need to have one with your doctor at your postnatal check-up. Use this time to talk with your doctor about any questions or concerns you have about yourself or your baby.

BABY BLUES

You may feel tired or strained due to lack of sleep and coping with your new role as a parent. Most new mams feel baby blues a few days after the birth. This is mainly due to a change in your hormone levels. As your body starts to return to normal, these feelings pass. Remember that some level of baby blues is natural and common. Often a new mother’s best resource is someone nearby she can talk to such as a partner or close friend.

POSTNATAL DEPRESSION (PND)

Postnatal depression is a term used to describe feelings of depression you may get after you have a baby. About 10-20% of women are affected by postnatal depression in the first few months after giving birth.

After the birth you may:

• Feel panic, anxiety, dizziness, a fast heartbeat, sick in your stomach or sweaty
• Cry
• Be afraid of being left alone with your baby
• Feel resentful towards your partner
• Feel tired but unable to sleep
• Have no appetite or you may over eat
• Find it hard to concentrate
• Lose interest in sex
• Have no interest in yourself or your baby

If you or your family notice some of these signs, then speak with your partner, a family member, doctor or public health nurse. Remember, postnatal depression does not last forever and the sooner it is recognized, the sooner you will get better

Especially for Dads!

Nothing prepares you for being a dad like the hands-on experience you get after your child is born. Being a father is the most special, rewarding and exhausting role you will ever have. You and your partner need to support each other at this time more than ever before.

This includes working out how you will share things like:

• Getting up at night to feed your child
• Bathing and feeding your child
• Discussing who is able to take time off work to care for your child if he or she is sick

The important thing is that you and your partner talk to each other about both of your needs and the things you both like doing best.

Both Mums & Dads!

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Some gentle exercises can help increase your energy levels and help you manage the added work in your life following the birth of your baby. Build physical activity into your daily routine with your baby by:

• Going for a walk with your baby, inviting your partner or a friend along gives you a chance to spend time together
• Going swimming once you feel ready

FAMILY PLANNING AFTER CHILDBIRTH

It is possible to become pregnant again soon after the birth of your baby, even if your periods have not returned. Now is the time for you and your partner to decide on a method of family planning that you are both happy with. You can get information on family planning and contraception from your midwife, doctor, public health nurse or practice nurse. For more information see www.thinkcontraception.ie

REST & RELAXATION

Extra rest is important for both parents, especially after your baby is born. In the first few days at home, try to:

• Limit the number of visitors who call to see you and your new baby
• Have a rest or a sleep when the baby sleeps
• Accept offers of help with routine shopping or housework
• Allow some of the housework to go undone for now and focus on your baby and yourself
• Prepare and freeze meals ahead of time to cut down on daily housework

LOOKING AFTER YOUR RELATIONSHIP

Relationships can become strained between parents, especially when you are tired and tense. At times, you may feel that it is hard to cope with your role as a parent and to balance this with work and other interests. Take care of your relationship by:

• Saying a caring word or doing something for each other
• Letting your partner know that you appreciate their support in parenting and caring for your relationship
• Talking openly together and sharing your feelings in a calm and
  listening way
• Accept offers of help from family and friends

For further advice & support, please don’t hesitate to contact Brookes Pharmacy on 023-8841136, by popping into the pharmacy, or by contacting us through email or social media!

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Dry eye syndrome, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, occurs when the eyes do not make enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. Eyes dry out and become red and swollen and irritated. Dry eye syndrome is a common complaint and can affect people of any age, but the chances of developing dry eye syndrome increases as you get older.

Common Causes

The natural ageing process

Problems with blinking or problems with the glands which produce tears

Some Medication such as antihistamines or oral contraceptives

Wearing contact lenses

Living in a windy or hot climate

Hormonal changes, such as during menopause

Symptoms of Dry Eye

Eyes that feel dry, gritty and sore and these symptoms worsen over the course of the day

Foreign body sensation

Eyelids stuck together upon waking up

Temporarily blurred vision, which usual improves upon blinking

Red Eyes

Reducing the symptoms

Lowering the temperature indoors – high temperatures make the tears evaporate more quickly

Central heating can make the air quite dry and sitting directly in front of a heating source like the fire can cause symptoms

Sometimes humidifies can help by moistening the air

Many people find that dry eye is worse during tasks such as reading or computer work. This is usually because we unconsciously blink less when we are doing anything that needs lots of visual attention

Artificial Tears

Artificial tears in the form of drops are usually the mainstays of treatment for people with dry eye. The aim of the treatment is to supplement the tears and therefore make the eye more comfortable. They also stop any damage to the front of the eye from a prolonged period of dryness

Advice for using Eye Drops

Don’t share your eye drops with anyone else

Patients using contact lenses should use a preservative free lubricant

Many eye drops and gels should be thrown away 28 days after opening, but some newer eye drops can be kept for up to six months after opening – be sure to read the box!

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There are several eye problems that become more common among people as they age, although they can affect anyone at any age. Many of them while bothersome are not particularly serious such as presbyopia ( having too many tears from light sensitivity) Others however can be both serious and have a huge impact on a patients life.

Cataracts

Cataracts are cloudy areas that cover part of or the entire lens inside the eye. In a healthy eye, the lens is clear like a camera lens. This means that light has no problem passing through it to the back of the eye to the retina where images are processed. When a cataract is present, the light cannot get through the lens as easily, and, as a result, vision can be impaired. Cataracts often form slowly, and normally without pain, redness or tearing in the eye. Some stay small and do not alter eyesight, but if they become large and thick, cataracts can usually be removed by surgery. Surgery is often not needed or can be delayed for moths or years. Many people with cataracts treat the symptoms with the help of glasses, contact lenses and other vision aids.

Glaucoma

This condition develops when there is too much fluid pressure inside the eye. It occurs when the normal flow of the watery fluid between the cornea and the lens of the eye is blocked. If not treated early, this can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma is less commonly caused by other factors such as injury to the eye, severe eye infection, blockage of blood vessels, or inflammatory disorders of the eye. Because most people with glaucoma have no early symptoms or pain, it is very important to get your eyes checked by an eye doctor regularly. Treatment may include prescription eye drops, oral medications or surgery

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over the age of 60. It occurs when the small central portion of the retina known as the macula deteriorates. The retina is the light-sensing nerve tissue at the back of the eye. Because the disease develops as a person ages, it is often referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although macular degeneration is almost never a totally blinding condition, it can be a source of significant visual disability. There are two main types of age-related macular degeneration: The Dry Form and The Wet Form

The Dry Form

Most patients are affected by this form and it is characterized by the presence of yellow deposits called drusen in the macula. A few small drusen should not cause changes in vision, however, as they grow in size and increase in number, they may lead to a dimming or distortion of vision that people find most noticeable when they read. In the advanced stages, patients lose central vision

The Wet Form

The “wet” form of macular degeneration is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels from the choroid underneath the macula. These abnormal blood vessels and their bleeding eventually form a scar leading to permanent loss of central vision.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for macular degeneration, but treatments may prevent severe vision loss or slow the progression of the disease considerably. Several options are available: such as Anti- Angiogenesis drugs and vitamins

We at Brookes Pharmacy recommend Macushield for AMD.

89% of AMD patients (age 60+) taking a Macushield product for 12 months or more, say their AMD has not progressed

87% of cases have had this confirmed by their ophthalmologist

MacuShield is now just €39.99 at Brookes Pharmacy

If you wish to find out more about any of the above, please pop into Brookes Pharmacy where we would be happy to help!

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 Learning how to avoid triggers and finding the right treatment can make a big difference.

What is it?

Hay fever, (also called allergic rhinitis) causes cold-like signs and symptoms such as a runny nose, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure. But unlike a cold, hay fever isn’t caused by a virus. Hay fever is caused by an allergic response to outdoor or indoor allergens, such as pollen, dust mites or pet dander. Hay fever is very common — it affects more than 1 in 5 people. Some people have symptoms all year-round. For others, hay fever symptoms get worse at certain times of the year, usually in the spring, summer or autumn.
Hay fever can make you feel miserable and affect your performance at work or school, and interfere with leisure activities. But you don’t have to put up with annoying symptoms. Treatments are available!

Symptoms of Hay Fever

Hay fever symptoms usually start immediately after you’re exposed to a specific allergen and can include:

Runny nose and nasal congestion
Watery or itchy eyes
Sneezing
Cough
Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
Sinus pressure and facial pain
Swollen, blue-colored skin under the eyes (allergic shiners)
Decreased sense of smell or taste

 Causes

During a process called sensitization, your immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless airborne substance as something harmful. Your immune system then starts producing antibodies to this harmless substance. The next time you come in contact with the substance, these antibodies recognize it and signal your immune system to release chemicals such as histamine into your bloodstream. These immune system chemicals cause a reaction that leads to the irritating signs and symptoms of hay fever.

What are you allergic to?

In Ireland, most people with hay fever are allergic to grass pollen. However, trees, mold spores and weeds can also cause hay fever. Research suggests that pollution, such as cigarette smoke or car exhaust fumes, can make allergies worse.

Pollen and spores

There are around 30 types of pollen and 20 types of spore that could cause your hay fever. The pollen that causes hay fever could come from:

Grass: The majority of people in Ireland with hay fever are allergic to grass pollen,
Trees: such as birch, oak, ash and cedar, or
Weeds: such as ragweed.

Spores that cause hay fever can come from:

Fungi, such as wild mushrooms, and
Mold, for example from compost heaps.

When is there most pollen?

Different trees and plants produce their pollen at different times of the year. Depending on which pollen you are allergic to, you may experience your hay fever symptoms at different times.

From January to April, pollen from trees are the most common cause of hay fever.
From May to August, pollen from grass are the most common cause of hay fever.
During the autumn, hay fever may be caused by weeds such as nettles and docks, late flowering plants, and mold and fungal spores.

Problems that may be associated with hay fever include:

Reduced quality of life. Hay fever can interfere with your enjoyment of activities and cause you to be less productive. For many people, hay fever symptoms lead to absences from work or school.
Poor sleep. Hay fever symptoms can keep you awake or make it hard to stay asleep.
Worsening asthma. If you have asthma, hay fever can worsen signs and symptoms such as coughing and wheezing.
Sinusitis. Prolonged sinus congestion due to hay fever may increase your susceptibility to sinusitis — an infection or inflammation of the membrane that lines the sinuses.
Ear infection. In children, hay fever often is a factor in middle ear infection

Treating Hay Fever

There are many different types of treatments…. It is best to talk to your Pharmacist or GP before beginning any treatment!

Pop into Brookes Pharmacy and talk to a Pharmacist who would be happy to help!

Preventing Hay Fever

Avoid cutting grass, playing or walking in grassy areas, and camping.
Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes when you are outdoors.
Change your clothes and take a shower after being outdoors to remove the pollen on your body.
Try to stay indoors when the pollen count is high (over 50).
Keep windows and doors shut in the house. If it gets too warm, draw the curtains to keep out the sun and keep the temperature down.
Do not keep fresh flowers in the house.
Vacuum regularly
Damp dust regularly. Dusting with a wet cloth, rather than a dry one, will collect the dust and stop any pollen from being spread around.
Keep pets out of the house during the hay fever season. If your pet does come indoors, wash it regularly to remove any pollen from its fur.
Do not smoke or let other people smoke in your house. Smoking and breathing in other people’s smoke will irritate the lining of your nose, eyes, throat and airways, and can make your symptoms worse.
Keep car windows closed. You can buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car. This will need to be changed every time the car is serviced.

If you suspect that you have hay fever, you may want to discuss it with your pharmacist or your GP to confirm the diagnosis. This will help you decide whether you need treatment and rule out anything else that could be causing your symptoms, such as an infection.

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• Wax/Shave 24hrs before hand
• Exfoliate 24hrs before hand
• Shower in the morning before tan
• Dont use any deodrant or any lotions on skin prior to application
• Use moisturiser on dry areas
• Wear loose dark clothing

Post-Tanning

• Avoid Water
• Shower 6-8 hours after application
• Pat dry after showering (do not rub)
• Continue to use moisturiser on the skin over the next few days to help maintain your tan.

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