Jun 13, 2025
By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire
June 9-15 is Carers’ Week in the UK. June 16 is, of course, our own Heroes’ Day – and the proximity made me think about those unsung heroes in our lives. The carers (or caregivers).
Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) describes a carer as ‘anyone – including children – who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction’. Crucially, these carers are unpaid. And, interestingly, most of them don’t even recognise the fact that they ARE carers…until they’ve been doing the job for two years, according to the NHS. Before that, it’s just lending a hand.
We all know someone who qualifies as a carer, based on these criteria. Maybe we are a carer ourselves.
It’s a tricky job and can also sometimes feel like a thankless one – we are not getting paid, after all. And while our reward may be in heaven, even the most generous soul likes to get a bit of praise here on earth.
The NHS points out that carers’ roles are sometimes made even more difficult by the very closeness (and complexity) of their relationship with the person they are looking after. Your mother. Your child. Your husband. It’s complicated, as they say.
So, this month, let us celebrate these community heroes. Heroes who don’t get medals, but without whom we would struggle. What can we do to make their lives a tiny bit easier? Well, here at pharmacy corner we stock a wide range of products for those folks you may be caring for – things like disposable incontinence pants, for men and women (by Depend, Poise and the Honey Pot company…available on dropit.bm, too). Or barrier cream – over the counter items (like Sudocrem or Desitin) – to help with the beginnings of pressure sores. If you are worried about a potential bed sore, though, make sure to talk to one of our pharmacists – or your GP.
How about dry shampoo Batiste and Garnier Fructis are two brands that we carry – for those in-between-showers days, when a bit of freshening up is called for. We also have massage oil, if lack of movement is an issue and a physiotherapist thinks this will help. Plus, standard staples like cotton buds and pads.
And what about the carers themselves? Sometimes, in order to carry on being one of life’s helpers, you need to take time out to help yourself. We have pain relief for back issues – no matter how strong you are, helping your special person in and out of bed or their favourite chair can take its toll. Clearly, if you have serious back issues, speak to your doctor. But if it’s a twinge, we stock a great selection of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) that can help: in pill form (Advil and Aleve, to name just two), and also gels or rubs like Aspercreme, Salonpas and Voltarol. Prolonged use of these tablets can cause stomach or kidney issues, so if your backache persists, speak to your doctor. But for the occasional ache and pain, we are a great first port of call.
And for some old-fashioned pampering, after a long and possibly fraught day, what about a fragrant bath soak? We have some delicious products from Aura Cacia, Dr. Bronner’s and EO. How about a relaxing lavender foaming bath in the evening? Or if baths are not your thing, then an aromatherapy shower tablet? Assuming you have a bit of water pressure, then pop it in the shower, where the water spray will hit it, inhale, and wash away the cares of the day. Bliss.
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.
Jun 10, 2025
These tender, flaky and delicious crab-stuffed tilapia fillets are perfect for weeknight dinners. Or, serve them up for special occasions. They’re sure to impress any seafood lover.
Prep Time: 20 mins • Cook Time: 25 mins • Makes: 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup lump crabmeat, drained
- 4 (6 ounce) tilapia fillets
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/3 cup dry unseasoned bread crumbs
- 6 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, use to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
DIRECTIONS
- Carefully check for/and discard any shell pieces in the crabmeat.
- In a large skillet, saute onion and celery in 4 tablespoons butter until tender. Remove from the heat; stir in the crab, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, egg, parsley, and Old Bay seasoning. Spread 1/3 cup crab mixture over each tilapia fillet. Roll up each fillet and secure with toothpicks.
- Place seam side down in a baking pan. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter; drizzle over fish. Sprinkle with salt, paprika, and more Old Bay seasoning, if desired.
- Bake, uncovered, at 400°F until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork; about 25-30 minutes. Discard toothpicks. Spoon pan juices over fish and serve.
Jun 10, 2025
Prep Time: 15 mins • Cook Time: 15 mins • Makes: 6 servings
INGREDIENTS
- 6 large portobello mushrooms
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lb shrimp, divided
- 1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (preferably parmigiano-reggiano)
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Remove the stems from the mushroom, chop stems and set aside. Wipe the mushroom caps clean with a damp paper towel.
- Peel and devein shrimp. Reserve 12 whole shrimp. Chop and set aside the remaining shrimp.
- Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add the chopped mushroom stems, onion, and garlic and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until tender. Add chopped shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes or until shrimp are turning pink. Add the breadcrumbs, beaten egg, salt, lemon juice, basil, and the red pepper flakes. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Place the mushroom caps, gill side up on a baking sheet. Divide the shrimp mixture among the caps and sprinkle with grated Parmesan.
- Bake the stuffed mushrooms for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.
- While the stuffed mushrooms are baking, lightly saute the remaining whole shrimp in a pan just until they are pink and opaque. Do not overcook.
- Place two sauteed shrimp on each stuffed mushroom. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.
May 13, 2025
Athlete’s foot is a common skin infection of the feet caused by a fungus. It causes itchy white patches and cracked skin, usually between the toes.
By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire
As any self-respecting Bermudian can tell you, May 24 marks the true start of summer. Time to get ready for the water – be that the beach or the boat. Which means…exposing your feet. Gulp.
As James Brown once sang, you got to get on the good foot. But, honestly? Many of us have feet that we would rather keep hidden. Not so much the good foot as the bad foot. Fear not, though. There is still time to treat your tootsies, before you have to bare them in public. And no matter what the problem, if ‘this little piggy’ goes to our Pharmacy corner, help may be at hand…
GOODBYE FUNGUS, HELLO FUN…
Small wonder that our feet are perfect targets for fungal infections. For one thing, each one contains approximately 250,000 sweat glands. That’s a lot of sweat. Then, we keep them swaddled in socks and shoes. And even when they’re liberated, they’re often exposed to places (changing rooms, school or public showers) which are hotbeds of fungus. Result: trouble.
Take athlete’s foot. Despite the name, this is an equal opportunity pain in the extremity, affecting couch potatoes as well as jocks. It usually starts between the toes – fungal infections love moist, warm conditions – but can then spread, causing itching, flaking and discolouration.
An antifungal medication called ‘Terbinafine’, sometimes known by the brand name Lamisil, has been shown to be effective in combating this unwelcome development.
Talk to one of our pharmacists about the best treatment for you. Anti-fungal medications come in many forms – creams, gels, sprays and powders. And we stock a wide range, from brand leaders like Canesten, Lamisil and Daktarin.
Sadly, it’s not just the skin on your feet that fungus tackles. It can attack the toenails, too: turning them yellow, sometimes thickening them; or causing them to chip. Luckily, nail fungus can also usually be cleared up with over-the-counter products like medicated varnish or creams.
Again, flag down one of our pharmacists for advice. Be warned that nail and skin fungus infections can take a while to disappear (weeks to months or longer). So, persevere – and if at first you don’t succeed, talk to your doctor. They may suggest upping the ante and using an oral medication.
HELP FOR HEELS
Sometimes it’s not moist clammy feet that are the problem, but the opposite. The skin on the bottom of our feet is thicker than anywhere else on our bodies – because there is an extra layer of epidermis (the Stratum Lucidum) which helps to protect our long-suffering soles from friction and retain moisture. But for a number of reasons – ill-fitting shoes, prolonged periods of standing, or even just getting older (our heels tend to become less padded over time) – the skin there can become dry and eventually start to crack and split. Which is not a good look – and also hurts like the dickens. We have some solutions for this, too. A wide range of heel balms: super moisturising and softening products which you can massage in at night (and then leave to work, under cover of a pair of bed socks). Flexitol, Dr. Scholl’s and Eucerin all offer treatments which will leave your feet softer, and ready for a barefoot summer stroll along a sandy pink beach.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
Outside of summer sandal season, it’s often a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’ with our feet. Which means we can be in for a shock when it’s time to peel off. Why not pay a bit more attention to them, given how important they are to us? Take time to give them some TLC…all year round.
A foot file, used after you’ve soaked your weary dogs in warm water – or after a shower or a bath – can work wonders, leaving your feet feeling and looking beautifully buffed. We have a selection in store. Check them out.
We also stock other items to help you put the final touches to your tootsies: nail clippers, files and emery boards. And wax – in case you are one of the lucky people who have hair on their feet (it’s not just for hobbits). The good news is that hairy feet usually means you have good circulation. Silver lining!
And now, time to put your best foot forward…
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.
Apr 21, 2025
By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire
PHARMACY SHAME: The feeling of shame which comes over you when you are spotted by someone you know (a friend, a neighbour, or heaven help you, your boss) popping something embarrassing into your trolley.
We’ve all felt it. Because while there are lots of fun things in our little corner of Lindo’s, there are also items which nobody would describe as fun. But which are, nonetheless, vital to keeping our lives on track.
Let’s look at some of the top entries in the Hall of Shame…
SANITARY PADS
If you’ve ever sidled into this aisle looking furtive, then stop and stand tall. When you think about it, at any moment many – MANY – other people in the shop will be wearing pads of some sort or another. Diapers, sanitary pads, incontinence protection. Where would we be without these things? Stuck at home for most of the time, that’s where.
Think of these items as liberating, not shaming.
We have a great range of products, whatever your needs. Check it out next time you’re in the store. Proudly!
NUTS TO NITS
Kids and head lice. They go together like love and marriage, or a horse and carriage, while not being nearly so nice as any of the above.
Head lice, or nits, are transmitted most easily by head-to-head contact – and children are always putting their heads together, literally. Bless them.
Remember: if your child has head lice, it’s not a sign that you are a slovenly parent. It’s a sign that you are a parent, full stop. Nits happen. So don’t panic. We have lots of different treatments, including Tea Tree Shampoo (Healthaid is a good brand) or a few drops of Tea Tree oil in your favourite shampoo, to deal with the problem. And our team will be happy to guide you towards the right solution for you and your child.
Many people find that teasing a fine-toothed comb through hair after shampooing and conditioning (lice dislike the smell of coconut, apparently, so that’s a good option) works well. This technique is gentle on your babies’ hair, does not involve chemicals (or strong smells). And helps keep track of your progress – body count – in the battle against the little blighters.
THE BOTTOM LINE
It’s a fact of life that pharmacy shame is often associated with our nether regions. You can get haemorrhoids, or piles, for any number of reasons, including pregnancy, being overweight, getting older (and losing muscle tone), or having a bad bout of diarrhoea – as in, Norovirus. Maybe there’s not enough fibre in your diet. As you can see, it’s a pretty big group.
We stock medicated wipes and creams to shrink haemorrhoids and ease your pain, including Anusol and Preparation H – though if the problem persists you should really speak to your doctor.
And if your troubles are related to a lack of fibre, you may find that using a gentle supplement – like Metamucil, or Miralax – can help.
Ask our helpful pharmacists for advice – and if you’re too embarrassed to do it face to face, you can always ring us we’ll be more than happy to answer your questions.
WARTS AND ALL
Plantar Warts – sometimes called Verrucas – are no fun. They pop up on the bottom of your foot, are round, sensitive to touch – and have a little black dot in the middle. Like an evil eye. They are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which can be picked up more easily if your feet are wet.
In children, they will usually go away fairly quickly on their own. But when passed on to other, older members of the family, whose immune systems are not quite so sporty, help may be required. We’ve got a number of products, from field leaders Scholl and Compound W, which can tackle the problem, while easing the pain.
Remember, some of these items can be ordered on dropit.bm, if you can’t get to the pharmacy.
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.
Apr 8, 2025
This olive oil cake is tender and moist and infused with bright citrus flavour.
Prep time: 10 mins • Cook Time 45 mins • Makes: 12 servings
INGREDIENTS
- 3 oranges, washed and dried
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 1/4 cups extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 9-inch cake pan with baking spray. Line with parchment paper.
- Slice one orange, unpeeled, into 1/8-inch thick slices. Place the orange slices on the parchment paper. Cut slices to fit, if necessary. Don’t overlap slices.
- Using the remaining 2 oranges – zest to make 2 tablespoons. Squeeze oranges for 1/4 cup of juice.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest, orange juice, and orange liqueur.
- In another bowl whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the liquid ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Pour the batter over the orange slices in the baking pan and bake for 45 minutes. Check with a toothpick or cake tester – cake is done when top is medium golden brown and tester comes out clean.
- Allow cake to cool in pan for 20 minutes. Remove from pan and let cake cook completely before serving.
NOTE: Do not use cold-pressed unfiltered olive oil as it is too intense and fragrant.
