By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire
SPRING is, er, springing out all over – and if you like to garden, now is the perfect time to get outside and do a bit of tidying, to make sure your beds and borders look their best come summer.
Spending time in the garden is not just good for your plants – it’s good for you, too: gentle exercise that soothes the soul. But sometimes we can get so caught up in our green-fingered chores that we overdo things. That’s when your friendly neighbourhood Pharmacy Corner can help. We’ve got plenty of remedies, to deal with the small mishaps which can occur.
First up, though: a big thing. Tetanus. Dirt and blood are a bad combo, and if you get a deep cut while gardening – particularly one inflicted by a rusty tool – and there is dirt in it, then tetanus (sometimes known as lockjaw, after the stiffness that is one of the telltale symptoms) should be a concern. While this is a much less common threat than it used to be, thanks to widespread vaccination, the bacteria which causes the tetanus infection is still commonly found in soil and manure. In the UK in 2024, two out of every three cases reported was the result of a gardening accident.
When was the last time you had a tetanus shot? The Department of Health recommends getting one every ten years, as an adult (when it’s combined with a vaccine to prevent diptheria, in the so-called Tdap booster). If you’re not sure whether you’re up to date, contact the health department and ask for an ‘immunisation report’.
Now that that’s out of the way, we can move onto the smaller things.
YOU CUT ME…
There are plenty of ways to get cuts or grazes in the garden, and often you are so focused on the job in hand that you fail to notice till later. Assuming it’s not a large wound (see tetanus terror, above), then you can probably deal with it yourself. Clean the wound well with soap and water, making care to wash out the dirt. Then it’s time for a good disinfectant/antibiotic. Bactine Max wound wash is an excellent option. Or just plain TCP or Dettol, diluted (one part disinfectant, to two-three parts water).
For those of us with a low pain threshold – no shame! – Bactine Max pain relieving cleansing spray is a must for the medicine shelf. It does what it says on the label, thanks to a small amount of lidocaine.
We also stock plenty of bandages – including wrap-around options for fingers – from market leaders Bandaid, Curad and Nexcare.
Antibiotic ointment is always good to have on hand. Ask one of our helpful pharmacists for help.
For bumps and bruises, why not investigate an alternative option – like Arnica? Made from the roots and flowers of the ‘mountain daisy’ or wolf’s bane, it’s usually found in cream or gel form, and is great for bumps and bruises, reducing swelling and easing pain when used topically (though you should never apply it to broken skin or, worse, swallow it).
OH MY ACHING BACK
Bending over to attack those weeds may be satisfying – but it can also leave you with a killer case of backache. We can help there, too. Tylenol Precise contains the maximum (over the counter) amount of lidocaine, to silence back and joint pain (and features a roller ball top, for easy application). IcyHot’s range promises instant relief – thanks to a formula which simultaneously cools and warms (just like it says on the label). And don’t forget old favourite Bengay: a tried and tested option beloved by many Bermudians.
DON’T BUG ME
Thanks to the recent downpours, there may well be standing water in your garden – keep an eye out for pots or containers that have become breeding grounds for mosquitos and empty them. If you do get bitten, apply a mild (1 per cent) hydrocortisone cream as soon as you can, to limit the swelling. Later, you can use Anthisan bite and sting cream to ease that infernal itching.
NAILING IT
Once you’re done for the day, scrub the dirt from under your fingernails with a bar of Surly Soap (Mild). Half soap, half exfoliator, it will leave your hands clean as a whistle. We also have nail brushes to get rid of any stubborn dirt. Handy for keeping on the side of the sink, ready to bristle into action.
And now: get gardening!
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.
