Shifts in weather conditions, the start of the school year, and employees returning from their summer holidays can increase the spread of germs and illnesses.
In addition, this time of year often brings a rise in allergies. Despite the hay fever season ending, the likes of dust mites can trigger allergic reactions, as many spend more time indoors.
With this, taking care of your health can help your immune system and sinuses prepare for the cold and flu season ahead.
In this article, you can find tips on how to take care of your health and how to stay healthy for the colder months!
Blocked nose, sneezing, a high temperature and sore throat are some of the symptoms most people experience with the common cold. These symptoms tend to emerge over two to three days, yet take over a week sometimes to go away.
Therefore, to treat the common cold, over-the-counter medicines available at a local pharmacy (like ours) can help relieve your symptoms. Speaking with a pharmacist can help you further in choosing the best and most effective treatments related to the severity of your condition, as well as the specific reactions you’re experiencing.
In addition, staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest and eating healthy foods can help you feel better more quickly.
But what can you do to prevent this ailment?
For personalised, expert advice, you can visit your local Allied Pharmacy and have a quick, free chat with our pharmacist for help and support about the common cold.
The flu can often bring about more symptoms and a greater severity of illness.
However, opposed to the common cold, flu symptoms come on much quicker and generally last longer.
Another indication of the difference between the two is that the flu affects more than just your nose and throat and can cause you to feel too exhausted and unwell to carry about your daily activities.
This illness spreads through coughing and sneezing. Disgustingly, these germs can live for hours on your hands or surfaces, meaning it is easily spread and highly infectious.
To protect your health during flu season, getting a flu vaccination, when recommended, can help both you and those around you. As the vaccine builds up your immunity, or can lessen the severity and duration of your symptoms, if infected.
By booking an appointment or walking into your local Allied Pharmacy, you can protect your health from the flu. The flu vaccination service is available across most of our stores, as well as pharmacist advice on alternative ways to stay healthy and safe.
As temperatures drop, more people tend to crank the heating up in their homes. This, in turn, invites small dust mites. Whilst these creatures don’t live on humans, they do live on bedding, clothing, soft furnishing and often your carpet.
Unfortunately, no matter how tidy you keep your home, these dust mites are almost impossible to evict.
For individuals allergic to house dust mites, it is not the creature itself they are allergic to, but rather the protein found in their droppings that triggers the allergic reaction.
As a result, sneezing, itchy sensations (around your nose, throat and mouth) and fatigue are some of the symptoms that can come from these nasty proteins.
For relief from this allergy, speaking to one of our pharmacists can provide you with support and steps to mitigate your exposure. At Allied Pharmacy, over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants and even the likes of eye drops are available to aid you in managing your reaction.
As we welcome a new season, it’s important to prepare and look out for risks that can impact your health and well-being. Besides the respiratory and allergic illnesses listed above, the colder, darker months can also bring about SAD (shortened for seasonal affective disorder).
Your local, community Allied Pharmacy can support you with treatments, services and free, confidential consultations when it comes to your health and concerns.
You can prepare for the seasonal shift by finding your nearest Allied Pharmacy on our website and visiting our friendly team in-store to get to know us and what we offer.