Is the sun really my friend?

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 11:30:34 GMT

UV rays. Sunburns. What's tanning doing to my body?

Sun protection

Even though we all love the sunshine, you should be aware that unfortunately it can seriously damage your skin. While a tan is often associated with looking healthy, it actually indicates that skin has been damaged by UV radiation. Opposite to what we have been taught as children, tanning increases significantly skin cancer risk. To tan safely, try and limit sun exposure between 11am and 3pm when sun is high in the sky. Also, keep in mind that the sun’s rays are strongest in countries near the equator and at high altitude.

But fear not! The best way to avoid risk associated with UV radiation is by reducing sun exposure (especially between 11am and 3pm) and using high SPF when exposed to the sun. To enjoy safely your holiday, you will have to take a good supply of appropriate sun protection cream, protective clothing and sunglasses.

People who should avoid the sun exposure:

Anyone with fair skin
Babies and young children
Immunosuppressed individuals (those with a weakened immune system)
Those taking certain medicines, including some cancer treatments (check with your GP)
Those with medical conditions such as polymorphous light eruption, rosacea and vitiligo

Treating sunburn

Getting sunburn can really spoil your holiday if you don't know how to deal with it. Here are our best tips to help you save the day if it happens.

Have a cool bath/shower or sponge affected areas with cold water.
Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen if needed. (Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years.)
When comfortable, apply moisturising cream.
Cover up and stay out of the sun until skin has fully healed.
Get prompt medical attention for swollen or blistered skin, chills, a high temperature, dizziness, headaches and feeling sick

Don’t forget that at Prestwich Travel Clinic you can not only get travel vaccinations & find variety of SPF creams but also mosquito repellents, underwater cameras & even sunglasses!

Have you got the Travel Bug?

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 13:21:01 GMT

With the rise of flights as affordable as £40 across Europe, people indulge in globetrotting more than ever before!

Traveling around Europe has never been so easily accessible and popular as it is now. With the ease that we can book flights and hotels, sometimes we overlook our health, believing that as long as we are in a developed country, there is nothing to worry about.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 360 000 Lyme disease (tick bites) cases have been reported over the last two decades across Europe. With symptoms ranging from skin rash to fever and fatigue, patients often need to be treated with antibiotics for several weeks.

With mosquitos, ticks, flies & fleas being the main disease transmitters, more and more people are at higher risk of contracting a vector-borne disease in Central Europe. The countries possessing the highest risk are places like Croatia that attracted just under 20 million tourists in 2018, Czech Republic, Hungary and the rest of Central Europe.

Lyme disease is best prevented by avoiding tick bites and removing carefully the ticks attached to the skin. This includes wearing long sleeve clothing, using tick repellents and checking your body for ticks and removing them before an infection has occurred.

At Prestwich Pharmacy we have teamed up with Parakito , a French revolution in bite protection to bring you the strongest protection available on the market. With their natural ingredients, Parakito Mosquito & Tick Repellents, Gels, and Bracelet Bands can equip you with up to 10 hours of protection. The strong Protection Roll-on allows a convenient and targeted application on exposed parts of the body. When going for a walk in the tall grass, for instance, the roll-on must be applied all around the ankles to avoid ticks climbing up!

The best part of using all-natural ingredients is that Parakito products are safe to be used by pregnant women and babies from 6 months! Whether you are heading on a summer vacation to Croatia, or just going on a stag do to Hungary or Czech Republic, don’t forget your tick bite protection.

For a tick free holiday, come to Prestwich Pharmacy and find the right protection for you and the whole family!