Sunburn

Stay smart when out in the sun this summer

Living in New Zealand we are often bombarded with messages about the dangers of sun exposure. And rightly so. With our high rate of skin cancer (melanoma in particular) it is often hard to fathom why we go out into the sun at all – especially during the summer months as we get enough vitamin D by doing outdoor activities outside of peak Ultraviolet Index (UVI) times.

According to Sunsmart, over 300 New Zealanders die of skin cancer every year and it is by far the most common form of cancer in this country. Our unique environment means we are particularly vulnerable to ultraviolet rays which cause sunburn. All types of sunburn, whether serious or mild, can cause permanent and irreversible skin damage and can lay the groundwork for skin cancer in later life.

Sunburn occurs when living tissue, like your skin, is overexposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) causing it to change in colour from slightly pink to severely red or purple. Sunburn can appear from one to six hours after exposure and the skin feels hot to the touch. Severe sunburn may cause blistered skin and even a fever, nausea and dehydration. Your eyes may also be painful or irritated due to overexposure to UVR.

The best way to prevent sunburn is to use sun protection. It is particularly important to use sun protectionfrom the start of September until the end of March, especially between 11am and 4pm. Sunscreen is one type of sun protection - ask your community pharmacist which sunscreen is best for you. You should also always wear protective clothing during this period, as well as a hat and sunglasses. In addition, try to keep in the shade whenever possible.

However, if you have the misfortune of getting sunburnt there are a number of ways you can help treat the condition:

Use cold compresses on the burnt areas, for example a wet, cold towel.
Ask your community pharmacist for topical treatments to manage the pain and heat, or a moisturising cream for dry skin.
If blistering occurs, do not burst them as you may get an infection. Instead cover with a gauze or a bandage. If your blisters do burst, see your community pharmacist for treatment options such as antiseptic ointment or hydrocortisone cream. .
If you are in pain you can take aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen. Aspirin is not recommended for children. Ensure you follow the directions carefully.
Avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water to help rehydrate your body.

If the sunburn is severe, your eyes are extremely painful, or you have blisters accompanied by a fever or nausea, see your community pharmacist or doctor immediately. And remember that there is no such thing as a “safe” tan – any change in the colour of the skin is a sign that damage has taken place.

Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)

Causes of swallowing difficulties

Swallowing difficulties can happen at any age. There are a wide range of causes for them, including:

some medicines, such as antipsychotics
heartburn and acid reflux
cancer, such as mouth or throat cancers
nervous system or brain disorders
muscle disorders
blockages or structural issues with your mouth, throat or oesophagus.

Symptoms of swallowing difficulties

Symptoms of swallowing difficulties may include:

coughing or choking when eating or drinking
bringing food back up, may be through your nose
the feeling that food is stuck in your throat
having issues chewing your food
problems with dribbling.

Swallowing difficulties can cause weight loss, dehydration and chest infections.

Diagnosing swallowing difficulties

Let your healthcare provider know if you have swallowing difficulties. They will ask you about your symptoms and check if any other health conditions you have may be the cause.

Your healthcare provider may refer you to a specialist for tests. These may include a:

gastroscopy—a camera is passed down through your mouth to look at your throat and stomach
swallowing study—your throat and stomach are x-rayed as you swallow small amounts of food.

Treating swallowing difficulties

How your swallowing difficulties are treated depends on the cause and how severe it is. Treatments may include:

medicines to treat acid reflux
swallowing therapy with a speech and language therapist
making changes to what you eat and drink, such as softer foods and using thickener in drinks
using special spoons, plates and cups
surgery to widen your oesophagus.
using special medication lubricants eg Gloup to help make it easier to swallow tablets etc. For more information click here.

Self care for swallowing difficulties

As well as seeing your healthcare provider, the following tips may help you to get food or liquids into your stomach.

Sit upright in a chair—at a table is best.
Have regular small meals instead of the main large meals.
Eat or drink small mouthfuls at a time.
If your voice is gurgly when you eat or drink, give a small cough to make sure your airway is clear.
Wet food will be easier to swallow as dry food can catch in your throat.
If your food has 2 consistencies, such as fruit in juice and cereal in milk, try to mix it into 1 consistency, or eat the solid and liquid portions separately.
Concentrate on eating and avoid talking.
Hot, ice-cold or fizzy liquids are easier to swallow than room temperature liquids.
If you are told to have thickened liquids, avoid ice-cream and jelly as they thin before swallowing.
Drink from the top half of you cup to avoid tipping your head back.

Have a look at our range of Gloup medication lubricants here which can help with difficulties swallowing tablets...

Bureta Pharmacy Shop

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