Question: Do you know the right SPF sun block for your holiday destination?

Answer: Although we’ve been blessed with something of an Indian summer this year, the bad news is that it’s not likely to last for much longer. If you’re one of those who can’t wait for the good weather to come back and are lucky enough to be able to take a break somewhere warm in the winter, it’s a good idea take some precautions and stock up on some of the right kind of sun cream both for yourself and the young ones who might need it even more. Here’s a quick guide.

What exactly is SPF?

The letters on our bottles of sun block stand Sun Protection Factor. This is why we describe the strength of our sunscreen as being a “Factor” followed by a number. We’ve all talked about wearing “Factor 30” or only putting on “Factor 15” when we want to get some colour, but how many of us know what those numbers mean in practice? The SPF number actually corresponds to the amount of time that the sunblock will protect the wearer, multiplied by the amount of time it usually takes them to burn without protection. In essence, if you get burned after ten minutes in the sun without sun block, then an SPF 15 will protect you for 150 minutes (10 minutes x 15). 

An Inexact Science

Picking out a sunscreen would seem on the surface to be rather straightforward then. If Factor 15 can give you protection for 150 minutes, or two and a half hours, then Factor 60 will protect you for four times longer, ten hours even.
Wrong! Unfortunately, SPF numbers are an inexact measurement and work for this amount of time only in theory. A trip to the beach isn’t complete without a dip in the sea and then drying off with a towel afterward, for example. The strongest SPF, even if it claims to be waterproof, is not going to hold up to that. Heat also results in the body’s natural cooling system, sweat, kicking in, and sweat also washes away your sunblock.  
The unpredictability of SPF numbers and the myriad situations in which you could be using it means that the labels will tell you that you always need to re-apply every two hours to be guaranteed of sun protection.

What to look for…

When choosing the best sunblock for you and your family then look out for the following – 

Physical and Chemical Sunblocks: Both of these variants work to protect the skin differently. Physical sunblocks, for example, scatter the ultraviolet (UV) rays before they reach the skin and sit on the face and body rather being absorbed into it. They are recommended for children and older people with sensitive skin as they are less likely to irritate as a result.

Chemical sunblocks are absorbed by the skin, and they work by nullifying the harmful effects of the sun before they can cause harm. Because UV rays come in different layers, a variety of chemicals are blended to give the best all round protection available. 

Many brands of sun cream provide a combination sunblock that uses both physical and chemical ingredients.  

UV rays come in two varieties, UVA and UVB. Because UVB is the variety which causes sunburn, SPF’s were developed only with them in mind. Since then, however, the negative consequences of UVA (namely, premature aging of the skin) and its tendency to also increase the risk of skin cancer have become more widely known. Luckily, to combat this, new “broad spectrum” sunblocks have been developed and you should read the labels carefully to ensure that your intended protection contains an ingredient like titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or oxybenzone, which will block UVA as well as UVB.

To sum up, look for a bit more than a simple high SPF when you’re travelling anywhere with a lot of sun. Ask at your local pharmacy for a good quality sunblock that uses both physical and chemical ingredients, along with protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy 

Question: What does it mean for me if I’m diagnosed with high or low blood pressure?

Answer: Last week, we looked at the importance of getting our blood pressure checked and the various options that are available. This week we’ll take a look at what it means if you or perhaps someone close to you is diagnosed either with high or low blood pressure and the changes that they might have to make as a result.

High Blood Pressure in Ireland

As we saw, a startlingly high number of Irish people, particularly in the over 45 age group, have high blood pressure or hypertension. According to the Irish Heart Foundation, this number is over 50% of the older population, and in their estimation the vast majority of these people are perhaps unaware or in denial about their condition and are not being treated. 

With high blood pressure, it’s easy to understand why people might be unaware of the problem as it does not manifest itself in any particularly noticeable ways. This makes regular testing all the more important as unchecked or untreated high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke (2,000 deaths a year), and even kidney damage or failure. 
If you’re diagnosed with high blood pressure by your doctor, it is likely that you’ll be put on a course of medication to combat the problem and arrest the high blood rate. It’s vitally important to take these tablets as they are prescribed and only cease at the behest of your G.P. Most blood pressure tablets will not result in any discomfort or side effects to the patient, but should that occur it’s best to inform your doctor and consult with them in order to find the medication that suits you best.

Lifestyle changes will be advised in order to alleviate the strain on your system and limit the potential for your blood pressure to cause any serious problems or attacks. In short, these will usually concentrate on diet and physical exercise. Sodium, for instance, is one of the leading causes of high blood pressure in Ireland, and it’s likely that your doctor will advise limiting your salt intake substantially. An increase in healthy foods like fresh vegetables and greens with their high level of vitamins and fibre will also be advised in order to increase to overall health and control weight. Common, but harmful, habits like smoking and alcohol should also be limited extensively.

Low Blood Pressure

In general, low blood pressure is common for people who exercise extensively and even in healthy non-smokers of a normal weight who eat healthily. Sometimes, however, low blood pressure is an indicator of more serious health issues that have as yet gone undiagnosed. In other cases, a faint feeling or dizzy spells when standing can also be caused by hypotension. 

As with high blood pressure, if your doctor finds that there is some cause for concern there are medications available for low blood pressure, although if the hypotension is simply a by-product of a more serious ailment, your doctor will concentrate on that primarily. 

In the case where hypotension is caused by lifestyle factors, you may actually have to exercise less, use more salt, or even switch to caffeinated coffee!   

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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy 

Question: How can I get my blood pressure checked?

Answer:
With high blood pressure heavily increasing the likelihood of heart disease and stroke, it’s recommended that everyone get their blood pressure checked at least every five years, increasing to once a year as we get older. This advice becomes particularly pertinent when we read that half of all adults in Ireland over the age of 45 suffer from high blood pressure, and worryingly, perhaps 4 out of 5 men and two thirds of women with the condition are going untreated.

Luckily, there are now more options than ever when it comes to getting checked for this common ailment.

Irish Heart Foundation Blood Pressure Road Show 2014

Perhaps the most convenient and certainly the cheapest option over the autumn months this year is to pay a visit to the Irish Heart Foundation’s free blood pressure testing centres all around the country. A quick visit to http://www.irishheart.ie/iopen24/blood-pressure-road-show-2014-t-8_201_1310.html will give you all the details of the most convenient date and time in your county. In addition to testing and advice, staff will be happy to provide you with helpful free leaflets and booklets, full of information and tips on how to control blood pressure and keep your heart healthy.

Your Local Pharmacist

Pharmacies are increasingly offering blood pressure testing for customers along with medication and consultations, sometimes with appointment, but often as a walk in service. A 24 hour monitoring device is also available in order to gain a more accurate assessment of your reading. 

Your Family Doctor

Blood pressure is usually taken as a matter of course with any G.P. check up, but if you’re worried or perhaps showing symptoms of low blood pressure (discussed below), a traditional doctor’s appointment will be sufficient to put your mind at ease and diagnose what the problem is. In the event that you are found to have either high or low blood pressure, your doctor will be able to proscribe any necessary medication and advise on how to arrange your diet and lifestyle in order to minimise any potential problems down the line.

When to Get Checked

High blood pressure does not in fact have any visible symptoms, and so it is best to get your pressure checked as often as the minimum durations mentioned above. Though the Irish Heart Foundation recommends a maximum period of one test every five years for younger people, it is a lot better to get regular check-ups and consultations more often than this, even if you are not showing any signs of ill health.

Low blood pressure, or hypotension, can manifest itself in dizzy spells or a feeling of fainting, particularly when standing up. If this is happening to you regularly, it is best to book an appointment for a check.

How Does It Work?

Blood pressure testing takes two minutes and is completely painless. An inflatable cuff is placed over the patient’s upper arm and then inflated. An automatic machine then measures the pressure of blood and displays the results digitally. 

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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy 

What are the Essentials of a Family First Aid Kit?

Answer: 
Every home should have a well-stocked and supplied first aid kit on hand for when accidents happen or illness strikes. We’ve all found ourselves caught at one time or another with these little blips, whether they be large or small, and it’s no fun improvising a bandage or plaster from tissue paper and old Sellotape from the drawer.  With that in mind, just what should a proper first aid kit contain to ensure that all eventualities can be prepared for?

The answer is surprisingly easy to assemble and not too hard on the pocket either. 

The Red Cross recommends that a family of four should first of all have at least 25 adhesive plasters or bandages on hand for any small cuts or scrapes that arise. Antibiotic ointment, either a tube or in packets, is also handy for these injuries, as are antiseptic wipes. For larger cuts or burns, roller bandages, one of three inches width and one four inches, should be stocked, along with surgical tape and two compress dressings (5x9 inches). Sterile gauze pads of matching size to the roller bandages are also useful to avoid irritation of the injured area, especially for the likes of scratched knees and friction burns. Also, to ensure that the risk of infection is kept to a minimum, your first aid kit should include two pairs of disposable sterile gloves (non-latex) for the family member administering first aid.

Aside from cuts and burns, keeping a couple of cold compresses on hand for bumps and knocks is always a good idea, especially with little ones running around. For any sore arms or shoulders, a couple of triangular bandages can be used to make a sling, but make sure to have safety pins close to hand to tie it up. For eye injuries, eye wash and a matching eye bath are incredibly handy, as even a bug with a bad sense of direction flying in can be incredibly uncomfortable in the eye. On the same note, spray or cream for insect bites and stings should also be included, along with antihistamine tablets.  

A first aid kit is not just for injuries. The NHS recommends keeping a good supply of cough medicine, hydrocortisone cream, and painkillers (Paracetamol, aspirin, or ibuprofen) ready to use. Remember that aspirin or regular Paracetamol should not be given to children under sixteen years of age, and all directions should be read carefully before using.  

Last but not least, don’t forget the vital tools of every home’s first aid kit: tweezers, scissors, and a thermometer. A digital thermometer is recommended here, as it is less likely to break and ultimately more accurate and easy to read than the older mercury models.

The kit should be kept somewhere cool and dry, and most certainly out of reach of children, for whom playing with bandages is a never ending source of fun. Most health organisations recommend checking the contents every three months to make sure that all the items are still useable and within the use by dates.  

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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy 

Question: What Triggers Your Cold Sore and How to effectively treat it?

Having a cold sore is not a comfortable experience at all, as aside from the very real pain they cause, they also affect our self-confidence in a way that goes far beyond the superficial. Cold sores, or cankers, can be usually be defined as tiny, fluid filled contusions that are commonly visible around your lip area, but they can occur anywhere on the body. They usually form into groups and once they crack, stinging sores then emanate. 

The sad fact is that there is no catch all cure for cold sores. With that in mind then, it is best to be aware of what the causes of “cankers” are, since not everyone seems to agree on what the exact conditions that will generate cold sores are.
Trigger Points

Fatigue

Our immune system gets easily squeezed out by stress and illness, or just by fatigue in general. Once it hits us, we become more prone to a cold sore surge. In order to beat fatigue, learn to relax, make time for exercise, and try to get more sleep. Keep your immune system at its fighting form by consulting your doctor or pharmacist about the best immune system boosters.

Stress

The moment that stress hits our emotions, other ailments usually follow, and it is one of the canker’s best gateways to penetrating our system. Finding a relaxation method that works for you is key here, whether it be a moderate exercise like outdoor walking or breathing exercises.

Exposure to cold weather

The winter cold can cause the skin to harden and dry up, again creating a potentially perfect base for a cold sore. If you’re planning on travelling to a hot country, it can also be wise to bear in mind that over-amped air conditioning can have the same effect and even cause respiratory problems. Lip balm is a must in these situations.

Harmful UV rays

On the flip side, too much exposure to ultraviolet rays, or UV rays, will also lead to cankers and will damage the skin too. Protect your skin by applying sunscreen which you can purchase from a pharmacy, or invest in a cool beach umbrella.

Pay attention to hormonal cycles

This is very evident in women during the menstrual cycle. The change in hormones can trigger a cold sore surge, along with changes in mood. If you keep track of your cycle, you should be able to figure when an attack is most likely and keep a tube of preventive cold sore cream on hand, just in case.

Open or untreated wounds and cuts

Cold sore or cankers also develop when our lips suffer an injury or trauma. A good pharmaceutical antiseptic lotion or cream will ensure that the affected area is kept germ free and much less likely to suffer infection.

Being sickly

Being prone to fever or flu also has the added downside of leaving us open to other ailments while our immune system fights the virus. In the event that you feel like you are going to be hit with a fever or flu, consult your doctor to get the best and safest treatment, and take time to rest and double your fluid intake. 


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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy