Touchwood Pharmacy

Caused by the same virus as chickenpox , shingles is a common condition that affects mainly older adults. It’s a viral infection that causes a painful rash that can appear anywhere on your body. Shingles is usually not a serious condition for adults who are generally healthy, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t risks. Left untreated, shingles can cause life-threatening complications and even death. How Dangerous are Shingles? Most people who contract the shingles virus will recover without any complications. With treatment, the uncomfortable symptoms of shingles should clear up within 2-4 weeks. Left untreated, severe cases of shingles can become very serious. Antiviral medication is usually the first course of treatment given when you’re diagnosed with shingles. Some groups are more likely to experience complications from shingles, including:   People over the age of 65 People with autoimmune diseases Pregnant women Those undergoing cancer treatment Sh...

When you have allergies, it can be difficult to go about your day to day life. From sniffles, itchy eyes, to trouble breathing, allergies can cause several uncomfortable symptoms. For some people allergies can even be dangerous if an allergic reaction isn’t treated right away. That’s why it’s so important to know how to not only treat your allergies , but how to avoid exposure to your triggers. The less often you’re exposed to your triggers, the less likely you’ll be to experience a reaction. Tips for Avoiding Allergens Depending on the type and severity of your allergy, it may be difficult to consistently avoid your allergens. Having an allergy management plan in place can help you to prevent allergic reactions and keep your symptoms in check. These are just general guidelines since each allergy is different. You can consult with your GP or one of our pharmacists to develop a personalised plan that will work for you. Some tips to controlling your allergies include: Avoid...

Everyone has wax in their ears and it’s perfectly normal. Earwax helps keep your ears clean and healthy, working as a lubricant for the ear. It also acts as a barrier to keep our debris that can damage the inner ear or cause an ear infection. The only time ear wax should be a concern is if too much of it builds up. While you may be able to safely remove ear wax at home, your child’s ear is a very sensitive body part that needs to be treated with extra care. If you suspect your child is experiencing issues due to ear wax, Touchwood Pharmacy’s Ear Wax Removal services in Northampton and Bromley can help. Ear Wax Buildup Symptoms A moderate amount of earwax in your child’s ear is healthy so you won’t usually need to worry about cleaning them. However, if your child is complaining about hearing loss, ear pain, or feeling like there’s something stuck in their ear, cleaning may be required. At home, you can try using over-the-counter earwax removal drops that you can purchase from a...

  Chickenpox is a common skin virus among children that spreads quickly through direct contact. The virus has become less prevalent today since most children get the chickenpox vaccination early. However, if a child has somehow caught the virus it is necessary to get them vaccinated as soon as possible.You can also do that by finding the nearest Chickenpox Vaccination Sydenham . More importantly, to prevent this and know more about it, we’ll be discussing how chickenpox is spread in this article. Let’s start! What is Chickenpox? Chickenpox is a contagious disease that can cause severe itching and blistering outbreaks. Chickenpox is caused by a germ called Varicella Zoster. Most people get chickenpox when they’re kids if they’ve not had a chickenpox vaccine against it. Once you've had chickenpox, you'll never get it from another person. Most adults who get chickenpox recover quickly, but they should see a doctor if they develop fever, rash, or blisters. Children who ge...

Having a steady build-up of earwax is normal. It is the body ’ s way of lubricating and protecting the inner ear from foreign particles and germs. This build-up of dust, hair, dead cells and natural wax forms a coat that moisturises the inner skin of the ear canal. Moreover, jaw movement while talking and chewing food naturally moves the wax along the ear canal. Thus build-up of earwax isn ’ t a severe problem. However, the amount and type of earwax accumulated in the ear differ from one person to the next. For instance, allergies can cause the Eustachian tubes to swell and get clogged with excessive wax and fluid, thus resulting in dull hearing. Ear Syringing at Home Doctors often recommend syringing as a last resort. Before trying this method, the recommendation is to use olive oil drops. Ear drops can soften earwax, so the wax build-up will gradually run smoothly and safely out of the canal. Below are some safety tips:            Warm some olive...

A lot goes into planning a trip abroad. From buying tickets, to requesting time off work, to getting everything squeezed into your suitcase, you have to make sure you’re prepared so that everything goes smoothly. The last thing you want whilst travelling are any unwelcome surprises.  However, many travellers forget to do one of the most important things when it comes to preparing for a trip: getting travel vaccines. Depending on where you will be travelling, you may be at risk of contracting serious illnesses that aren’t usually a worry here in the UK.  Travel Vaccinations Travel vaccinations aren’t generally offered on the NHS so if you want to protect yourself, you’ll need to get vaccinated privately. Touchwood Pharmacy’s comprehensive travel clinics can help protect you from several diseases such as: Malaria Typhoid fever Yellow fever Rabies Cholera Japanese Encephalitis Hepatitis  If you’re unsure which vaccinations you may need, we can help. ...

  Japanese encephalitis is a common viral brain infection that is rampant in the rural parts of Southeast Asia, the Far East, and the Pacific Islands. It is transmitted through mosquito bites. While there is no cure for this infection, you can prevent it by getting a  Japanese encephalitis vaccination . Unfortunately, this vaccine is not part of the NHS services, but you can get it if you have plans to travel to the said destinations. Who Should Get Vaccinated? Not everyone is required to get vaccinated for Japanese encephalitis. But if you are one of the following, you must be ready to shoulder the Japanese encephalitis vaccine cost and other expenses related to the vaccine. ·        Planning a long-term stay in a high-risk country - Find out if your destination belongs to the  list of high-risk countries   from the NHS website. ·         Spending some time in a high-risk location during the rainy seas...