THE HEAT IS ON…

Aug 12, 2024

By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire

We are now, officially, in the dog days of summer: when you feel like a wilted lettuce leaf ten minutes after your morning shower. But don’t sweat it – help is at hand, in your Pharmacy Corner…

MIST OPPORTUNITIES…

Sometimes in August the mere thought of touching your skin is unwelcome.

So why not skip your regular lotion and try a lighter one instead? Many of your favourite brands offer lighter versions of your usual products, which will combat dry skin and leave you feeling fresh as the proverbial daisy.

For a quick pick-up, pop a spring water mister into your handbag or car. Spray over your face, to revive wilted makeup, and on pulse points like your throat and the inside of your wrists and elbows, for a refreshing cool-down. You can also find a witch hazel mist with rose petals by Thayer that would be very refreshing too.

A PRICKLY SUBJECT

High summer is when prickly heat strikes. For babies, this can be particularly vexing. Most health experts recommend keeping it simple for infants and their delicate skin. Apply a cool compress (a flannel dipped in cool water will do nicely) or give your little one a tepid bath to ease the pain.

If your child is scratching, you could try an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream (ask your pharmacist for advice on this one).

And keep an eye on those irritated patches – if they remain inflamed, or start to spread, talk to your pharmacist or contact your doctor.

Grown-ups are not immune from prickly heat, either. If you’ve got it, a medicated powder like Ammen’s or Gold Bond can help. And, at the end of the day, treat yourself to a soothing bath – using a product containing oatmeal like Aveeno Bath Soak. Follow that with a skin calming lotion like Calamine, dabbed gently on trouble spots with cotton pads, to guarantee a good night’s sleep.

SMELLS LIKE TROUBLE

There’s nothing worse – well, not much – than catching a whiff of yourself and thinking: my anti-perspirant is not cutting it. August will put your regular brand to the test – and it may be found wanting. But don’t panic. We stock a number of ‘clinical strength’ anti-perspirants, including ones from Dove, Secret and Gillette which should help. Remember, though, if you feel like you are sweating excessively, speak to your pharmacist or your doctor, because it could be a sign of something else.

FEET FIRST

If smelly feet are the issue, try soaking them in a solution of Epsom salts (half a cup dissolved in warm water in a large bowl or washtub) with a few drops of Tea Tree Oil once a week for 10-20 minutes. It’s a great way to kill off the bacteria that can cause foot odour (so Grandma was right!). We stock a number of brands, including Dr. Teals.

And once your feet smell sweet, make sure your shoes don’t let the side down. Specialists Dr Scholl and Odor Eaters do a number of deodorant products to spray or shake into your footwear, to keep them, and your tootsies, smelling like roses.

ELECTROLYTES

Playing sports – or working outdoors – in August is a sweaty business. And when you sweat, you lose more than just water. You also lose electrolytes – like sodium, magnesium and potassium. An electrolyte imbalance can lead to dehydration, and in extreme cases trigger all sorts of scary things, ranging from nausea to heart palpitations.

Ideally, wait till it’s cooler for your workout – or do it somewhere air-conditioned. If that’s not an option (outdoor workers we salute you), then just drinking water is not going to cut it (and drinking too much may make the imbalance worse). You need to replenish those electrolytes. We stock a number of oral electrolyte solutions Pedialyte – ready to drink, as well as dissolvable tablets and powders like Dioralyte, Nuun (Sport Hydration or Daily Hydration) Super Fuel and Nature’s Truth Electrolytes, so you can get your body back in balance – and make the most of your summer.

Stephanie Simons is the head pharmacist at Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and has been practicing for over 20 years. She is a registered pharmacist with the Bermuda Pharmacy Council and is a member of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association.

JULY…Get Ready For The Great Get-Away

Jul 18, 2024

By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire

Summer holidays are here – and so is the great summer getaway. Do you have everything you need to make your trip a success?! If not, a visit to our pharmacy will help fill in any gaps in your packing list.

KEEP IT SMALL

Despite tantalising talk of a change in security rules, most airports still insist that all liquids be in containers no bigger than 100ml/3.4 fl oz for carry-on luggage. If you’re travelling light, this means packing smaller versions of your products. We have fill-your-own containers if you want to decant your own products into something which will pass muster at the airport.

BE PREPARED

Nobody heads off on holiday anticipating trouble, but it makes sense to pack a few basic items, as part of a compact first-aid kit. Painkillers – an acetaminophen type like Tylenol or Paracetamol; plus an NSAID, such as Advil or Ibuprofen – are a must (and it’s easier to carry your own than have to hunt them down in a foreign pharmacy).

But allergy pills are a great idea, too; for everything from hay fever to bug bites. We stock a wide range of non-drowsy antihistamines over the counter such as Loratadine (Clarityn) and Fexofenadine (Allegra). If you’re on medication, or have an underlying medical condition such as glaucoma, check with one of our pharmacists to make sure you choose something which suits you.

BUZZ OFF!

Heading somewhere hot and humid? Don’t forget the insect repellent. The buzz word for bug sprays these days is ‘Picaridin’ – a substance related to black pepper which, unlike our old favourite, Deet (still extremely effective), isn’t oily and doesn’t smell. We have a number of different Picaridin based brands in our grocery. And if you DO get bitten or stung, you’ll be glad you packed a tube of Benadryl or Anthisan or hydrocortisone cream, to stop the itching. Use a 1% product for bites on the body or a 0.5% product for babies or bites on the face.

TUMMY TROUBLES

Vacation is a time to eat, drink and be merry. But all that merriment can lead to …indigestion. Take chewable antacids like Tums or Rolaids to provide immediate relief. Plus, maybe an acid reducer like Omeprazole, Lansoprazole or Famotidine, for longer-acting protection. And don’t forget the Imodium (Loperamide) in case the chef’s special is special in all the wrong ways.

FEET DON’T FAIL ME NOW

If your vacation involves lots of walking, or the unveiling of a new pair of summer sandals – or both – you’ll also want to carry blister plasters. Compeed and Scholl do great ranges of hydrocolloidal products (that’s gel-filled, to you and me) which will put some pep back in your step.

THE MOTION OF THE OCEAN

Is there a cruise in your future? Maybe some whale watching? Don’t let sea-sickness rock the boat. We stock motion sickness pills like Dramamine, Gravol or Stugeron. Patches containing scopolamine have unfortunately been unavailable from the manufacturer recently but we do have Sea-band which work by accupressure, so you can enjoy smooth sailing. Remember, though, to check with the pharmacist, because some of these remedies are not meant for children.

TAKE A LIST

If you’re on regular medication, you will obviously need to take your pills with you. But rules regarding prescription drugs vary from country to country, and state to state. So, it’s a smart idea to travel with a copy of your prescription(s), not just to show to the nice people in customs and immigration, if they ask. But in case (heaven forbid) of a medical emergency, when a list of your meds could save a lot of time and trouble. Talk to one of our pharmacists about getting the appropriate paperwork, so you can jet off with peace of mind.

Stephanie Simons is the head pharmacist at Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and has been practicing for over 20 years. She is a registered pharmacist with the Bermuda Pharmacy Council and is a member of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association.

Time to Sleep

Jun 12, 2024

By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire

JUNE is, officially, the month when summer starts. We bid goodbye to spring on the solstice – this year Thursday, June 20. It’s the longest day…and the shortest night, celebrated in Shakespeare’s comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: a tale of magic, and star-crossed lovers drifting off (literally and metaphorically) in the woods.

For most of us, the dream would be just having a good night’s sleep – preferably without visions of fairies and men with donkey’s heads on their shoulders. But how to achieve it? Sleep experts have plenty of tips. Do some exercise – but not too late in the day. Avoid caffeine in the evening and try chamomile tea instead (check out our range of bedtime beverages from brands like Traditional Medicinals and Buddha Organic). And if you want to read something, make it a book, not an electronic device (the glare from the screen is the enemy of sleep). But there are a number of ‘sleep aids’ you can use, too, to help you drift off.

RELISH THE ROUTINE

All the experts agree that establishing a bedtime routine is important for a good night’s rest. Relax your mind and your body by taking a warm bath or shower before you turn in. We have an array of bath products to make your night-time ritual something you’ll really look forward to. Unwrap a bar of Dolce Vivere soap (handmade in Florence) and be whisked away to Rome, Sardinia, or Capri, depending on which scent you choose. Or try a silky liquid castile soap made with lavender – long recognised as having sleep-inducing properties. We stock ones from the Dr Woods Naturally range, and also Dr Bronner’s.

SCENTS AND SENSIBILITY

Lavender can also be used in the bedroom, as part of your sleep routine. A few drops of essential lavender oil by Aura Cacia, Now and Nature’s Truth, placed in a diffuser (look at our assortment of diffusers next to the essential oils) can turn your room into a relaxing haven. Or follow the example of Charles VI of France (known at the start of his reign in 1380 as ‘The Beloved’ before gaining the less welcome moniker of ‘The Mad’), who liked to sleep with lavender tucked inside his pillow. Put a drop or two of lavender oil on an old handkerchief and pop inside your pillowcase (not directly next to your skin…it could irritate). And sleep like a king.

MELATONIN

The hormone melatonin is nature’s sleep aid. Produced by the brain’s pineal gland in response to darkness, it regulates our sleep cycle. In the evening, when its levels are high, we feel drowsy. (Which is why it’s important to make sure that your bedroom really is pitch black after lights out…an eye mask can help with this.).

But when we are wrestling with insomnia, and losing, we might need more help. One option is to boost our own melatonin levels with a synthetic supplement. We have a number of brands available over the counter by Nature’s Bounty, Nature’s Truth, Now, and Sundown in tablet, liquid, and gummy formulations. Olly (purveyors of delicious chewable vitamins) make a Sleep gummy containing melatonin (sugar-free and Blackberry flavoured). Or try Boiron Sleep Calm, Goli Dreamy Sleep, Genexa Sleepology, or Neuriva Relax and Sleep. And many people swear by Valerian Root – we stock a wide range of supplements designed to aid sleep naturally like Kalms.

SILENCE IS GOLDEN

Just as light is the enemy of a good night’s sleep, so too is noise. Sometimes it’s the noise of your partner snoring – or you – that’s to blame. Luckily, we have a number of products to tackle the problem: from nasal strips like Breathe Right, which physically hold the airways open, to sprays like Snoreeze Nose or throat sprays designed to target snoring brought on by allergies or colds.

And if something else is disrupting your dreams – traffic, or the hum of machinery – why not consider soft foam earplugs. Old-fashioned but effective.

The solution to finding a good night’s sleep – and sweet dreams – could be waiting right in your pharmacy. But if your sleeplessness persists, then it’s time to consult your GP.

Stephanie Simons is the head pharmacist at Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and has been practicing for over 20 years. She is a registered pharmacist with the Bermuda Pharmacy Council and is a member of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association.