It's easier to enjoy the summer when your health is on track. Find out how your pharmacist can help you have a worry-free summer.
Summer is a time for getaways, get-togethers, reunions, outdoor activities and a host of other great and small delights that make the summer season so enjoyable. However, health issues can sometimes overshadow the vacation season. When this happens, you can always count on the presence of pharmacists.
Of course, pharmacists also take vacations, but not pharmacies! Throughout the year, there is always at least one pharmacist available in every pharmacy in Quebec. What's more, most pharmacies are open every day during the summer to help you take care of your health. And in many ways...
In summer, sun protection should be a priority. Whether you are an adult or a child, a worker or an outdoor enthusiast, a person with pale or dark skin, the application of a sunscreen is always necessary when exposed to the sun. This is to avoid premature aging of the skin and reduce the risk of skin cancer. Above all, sun protection can help avoid the inconvenience of heatstroke or sunburn.
A sunburn is a skin burn that requires first aid. If you get one, your pharmacist can provide good advice and tell you what products to use. To prevent this from happening, ask your pharmacist to recommend the best sunscreen for you and your family.
Just like humans, insects also love to enjoy the warm weather! While some are singing and buzzing, others are on the attack. These include mosquitoes and ticks, which can cause diseases such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease.
Applying a mosquito repellent is an effective measure to prevent mosquito and ticks bites. Your pharmacist can recommend a good one. They can also tell you what to do if you are bitten by mosquitoes (some products can help). Additionally, if you are bitten by a tick, pharmacists can prescribe a preventive treatment against Lyme disease if you are in a high-risk area.
The warm season is often referred to as "allergy season", and rightly so! There are many reasons to experience allergy symptoms, starting with pollen (seasonal allergies). Fortunately, there are many treatments available to ease these symptoms. In some cases, pharmacists can even prescribe them for you. Ask the pharmacy area staff for information.
In addition to pollen, other examples of potential allergens are animal hair (e.g., rabbits or horses), gardening products and certain plants (e.g., poison ivy). Whatever the cause of your allergy, your pharmacist can help you. For example, if you have a skin reaction to a chemical or to poison ivy, they can prescribe medication to reduce the intensity of the reaction and ease symptoms.
Summer activities can predispose you to minor injuries. Whether they affect muscles or bones (e.g., back pain, sprains or strains) or the skin (e.g., scrapes, cuts or burns), you may wonder whether you should see a doctor. In these cases, why not consult a pharmacist first? They will be able to help you assess the situation and perhaps resolve it with various measures, both medicated and non-medicated. Your time is valuable... it may be faster than waiting in the emergency room!
Many infections can occur in any season, especially in the summer. Once again, let's be thankful! Some infections (e.g. conjunctivitis, cold sores, vaginal yeast infections, urinary tract infections in women, etc.) can be treated without a medical visit, but with the help of a pharmacist. Pharmacists must then make their own assessment and determine if they can suggest or prescribe a treatment. Note that they may have to refer you to a doctor, but it is worth a try.
It's not always easy to be sensible about food in summer. Parties, barbecues, picnics... Good food and drinks are part of the fun of outdoor activities. However, they can sometimes cause digestive problems such as diarrhea, stomach ache, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, etc. In addition to indigestion, summer puts us at greater risk for food poisoning.
If you are experiencing digestive symptoms, your pharmacist can help by suggesting measures and medications to provide relief. In some cases, they may even prescribe a treatment. It's worth calling or stopping by the pharmacy for a consultation
Feeling relaxed this summer and ready to undertake a smoking cessation program? What a wonderful initiative! Did you know that your pharmacist can help you by prescribing an anti-smoking aid? No need to see a doctor! All you need to do is meet with a pharmacist during a consultation where they will assess your situation and determine which treatment to prescribe. They will also help you develop your action plan.
During the summer, it can be difficult to have access to your doctor. When prescriptions run out, this can be a real problem. Fortunately, pharmacists can now prescribe a variety of targeted treatments, as well as extend prescriptions following a consultation and based on their clinical judgment. This can make life much easier for many people. If you need prescription medication but do not have a valid prescription, consult your pharmacist. They will assess the situation and let you know if they can help.
Pharmacists are a valuable resource when it comes to medication and health. Don't miss out on their expertise and availability... even during the summer months!
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