Sun Rashes and Prickly Heat – How to Deal With Them!

It has been a long winter and the recent hot weather has got people excitedly spending more time outside in the sun, but for many instead of a lovely glowing tan, they may be left with an ugly red rash.

Rashes can actually be caused by sunlight itself in some people, however there are a number of things that can cause rashes which can be triggered by the sunlight including plants, medicines and fragrances, including sunscreens. If you do get a rash then you may need to figure out the exact reason for it and what you need to do to get rid of it!

Polymorphic Light Eruption

PLE is is easily mistaken for prickly heat. This rash is triggered by the sunlight and can show after as little as 20 minutes of exposure. It is common on skin that has been covered up for the winter months before suddenly being exposed to high levels of sunlight.

PLE will normally be stopped by covering up the skin and only exposing it more gradually to more sunlight over time. It will get worse if it is continually exposed to the sunlight after it first appears.

PLE is more common in women than it is in men and tends to be more prevelant in people with fairer skin.

What to do about it

The rash can be caused by both UVB and UVB radiation in sunlight. Use high factor broad spectrum sunscreen and cover up by wearing long sleeved loose fitting clothes.

Consult your GP if the rash gets worse.

Prickly heat

Prickly Heat is sometimes known as heat rash or miliaria, and is a red rash that gives a prickly sensation.It is caused by excessive sweat blocking the sweat glands.

Prickly heat looks like small bumps or blisters on red skin and commonly appear in the armpits, groin, waist, chest and insides of the upper arms and other places where sweat collects..

Young children and obese people are more prone to prickly heat, but anyone can get it.

What to do about it

Try to stay as cool as possible, perhaps by using products like Magicool Prickly Heat Spray. Wear loose cotton clothing and take regular cool showers. Calamine lotion may help to soothe the affected areas. Hydrocortisone creams may also provide some relief from itching, but shouldn’t be used on your face. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about these.

Plants, Chemicals and the Sun

Contact with chemical compounds found in plants, grasses, sunscreens, insecticides and various toiletries, combined with sun exposure can also cause severe skin reactions.

Some of the main ones to watch out for are parsnips, celery, parsley, dill, fennel, limes and lemons, which contain chemicals called furocoumarins, naturally occurring phototoxins which, coupled with exposure to the sun, can trigger the rash.

Bergamot and musk oils in fragrances can have a similar effect. Similarly, chemicals used in sunscreens to absorb UV radiation can also cause this.

What to do about it

Try to work out what the cause is. Keep notes of the plants that you have been in contact with around the time that the rash appears and work it out. Try using sunscreens which act by blocking UV radiation or ones designed for sensitive skin instead.

Solar Urticaria

This is a rare condition where people develop hives within minutes of coming into contact with the sun. Resembling nettle rash, the itchy red patches of skin may also become swollen and soon disappear once the person has gone indoors out of the sunlight.

The rash often develops on areas of the skin usually shielded from the sun, such as the back. Other areas of the body which are constantly in the sun, such as the face or backs of the hands may be unaffected or only slightly so.

Solar urticaria is more common in women than men, can occur at any age, but most develop it before the age of 40. Although unclear, it is thought to be caused by an allergic reaction.

What to do about it

Exposing large areas of the body to sunlight – e.g. outdoor swimming – can lead to light headedness, headaches, nausea and vomiting.

People with solar urticaria are usually referred to a dermatology clinic where they will are advised about what lifestyle changes they should make.

These generally include wearing sun protective clothing, regularly using sunscreens and keeping out of the sun when it is most intense.

Anti-histamines may help reduce the rash and itching. Some patients may undergo ultraviolet desensitisation treatment.

Insect bites tend to cause one or more red bumps that are itchy and sometimes painful. There is, quite often a small hole in the centre of the bite which can contain a part of the sting left by the insect. Normally insect bites are not dnagerous unless the person who has been bitten has an allergy. Wasp and Bee stings are the type of bite or sting that are most normal for people to be allergic to.

Where Do Insect Bites Come From?

Insect bites can come from many different places. Domestic pets commonly carry insects, like fleas. This can affect dogs, cats and even pet birds.

Bed bugs can be found around the house on all types of soft furnishings including sofas, chairs and beds.

Any time that you are outside you are open to being bitten by insects as they are everywhere.

Travelling can also pose an increased risk, depending on where you go to, of bites from mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies.

Which Insects Can Bite or Sting?

The most common insects to be bitten by are midges, gnats, horseflies, bees, wasps, ants, some spiders, fleas, lice, Mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies.

Wasp stings tend to cause the highest number of allergic reactions out of any bite or sting in the UK. However, once you have had an allergic reaction it is impossible to predict what would happen the next time your are stung or bitten by the same insect. 20% of people who have an allergic reaction to an insect bite or sting have a milder reaction the next time or no reaction at all.

What Do Insect Bites Look Like?

Insect bites normally appear as one or more sore, swollen red lumps on the skin. There is sometimes a small hole in the middle which may have the end of the insects sting poking out.

If you wake up with an itchy or painful lump, the first thing to do is to check if there are any others on your body. If there is only a single bump or 4-5 in the same area then you have probably been bitten or stung. Fleas normally biten 4 or 5 times in the same areas so they tend to appear in small grops of lumps on your body.

Some children’s diseases can look very similar to insect bites. If you are in any doubt at all call your doctor.

Insect Bite Symptoms

When your are bitten the most common symptoms are that the skin becomes inflamed, swollen, itchy and can be quite painful. Bites can become infected if they are scratched. Occasionally bites can cause allergic reactions. Be on the look out for a rash or swelling. If these symptoms seem to get worse instead of better then contact a doctor.

Call your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• the person has been stung by many insects at the same time
• a rash or swelling that gets worse instead of better
• if the site is red, tender and swollen
• headache
• dizziness
• nausea (feeling sick)
• pains in the chest
• choking or wheezing
• difficulty breathing.

These are all signs of an allergic reaction and could be dangerous if the person who has been bitten goes in to shock. See a doctor immediately or call an abulance.

How To Treat an Insect Bite or Sting

The first thing to do is remove the sting. This is done best by using tweezers or by scraping it out using a credit card. Be careful not to press the sting out as this can cause the poison to spread further beneath the skin.

Wash the area with soap and water and, if possible, apply ice to cool the area around the bite. Try to elevate the bitten area if possible to stop the bite from swelling.

If needed use a cream or gel or use an antihistamine to soothe the itch. If you know of any allergies to insect bites within your family then consult your doctor or pharmacist before travelling about waht you should take with just incase. They may suggest taking antihistamine tablets with you or tkaing an EpiPen injection. Make sure you are aware of how to use any medication correctly before you travel.

If you have a rash or an itch thet requires medical treatment or if you feel unwell in any way, avoid driving as there is a chance of passing out.

If you are travelling to an area that may have malaria then consult your GP about which malaria medications to take. These normally need to be started before you leave.

How To Avoid Insect Bites and Stings

• If you find youself surrounded by a swarm of bees or wasps, stay calm. Sudden movements can cause them to attack.
• Insect repellents can be very effective. Citronella Patches have been found to be very effective.
• Avoid hanging around things that insects are drawn to such as flowers, trees, bushes and piles of wood.
• Be careful if you are eating or drinking (especially sweet things) outside.
• Avoid scented creams and strong fragrances as these can attract insects. Also bright colours can have a similar effect.
• Long sleeves, long trousers, socks, shoes and gloves help protect you from stings.
• Close the windows in the house and the car to keep the insects out.
• Look out for insects’ nests in your home or garden and have them removed immediately.

There are a number of different types of hayfever remedy including nasal sprays, tablets and eye drops. In this article we are going to tell you all about your options for coping with this hayfever season.

However before we start to give you advise about hayfever remedies I think it might be an idea to give some tips about how to avoid hayfever symptoms in the first place!

• Check the pollen forecast. This is normally shown on the weather report on TV but can easily be found online too. If the pollen levels are high then your hayfever symptoms are likely to be worse.
• Vacuum and damp dust. This helps you to remove all stray pollen from your house.
• Keep windows and doors closed. This stops the pollen from getting in in the first place.
• Smear Vaseline inside your nose. This is a simple trick to help you avoid getting the pollen onto the lining of your nose where it can trigger your symptoms.

Tablets

There are a number of Hayfever Tablets on the market which use a range of different antihistamine active ingredients. The results of using any of them should be similar with regards to dealing with you symptoms but can vary in the levels of drowsiness. What a lot of people do not realise is that the branded hayfever tablets are not the only way to use thes active ingredients. Most active ingredients are also available in generics tablets which contain the same strength of antihistamine and can be bought for a fraction of the price.

Here are the details for the 4 main branded types of Hayfever tablets.

• Zirtek. Active ingredient: Cetirizine dihydrochloride

Cetirizine is a second-generation anti-histamine, which is usually taken in a one-a-day tablet. There is no known difference between hydrochloride and dihydrochloride types.

• Clarityn. Active ingredient: Loratadine

Taken in the form of one-a-day tablet. Loratadine is a non-drowsy hayfever remedy.

• Benadryl. Active ingredient: Acrivastine
  

Acrivastine is a newer type anti-histamine, which has the benefit of being the fastest acting remedy available, usually taking effect within 15 minutes according to studies. This comes at a cost however, since it needs to be taken three times a day. There is no generic version of Benadryl.

• Piriton. Active ingredient: Chlorphenamine

Chlorophenamine is one of the older (first generation) remedies for hayfever. It is just as effective as the other hayfever remedies but is can take slightly longer to take effect and can cause drowsiness.

Hayfever Eye Drops

Antihistamine eye drops can be useful if eye symptoms are your biggest problem. Cromoglicate drops containing sodium cromoglicate should be used regularly to prevent the allergic reaction occurring.

Like with the tablets there are generic hayfever eye drops available to help you save money. The main brand of Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops is Opticrom. There are a whole range of different eye drops that are available that can help with hayfever and allergies.

Nasal Sprays

One of the most irritating hayfever symptoms is the blocked nose and stuffy sinuses. Nasal sprays are designed to help clear your nose and sinuses to help you breath normally. Some also protect against airborne allergens too.

There are two main brands of nasal spray that people tend to use for Hayfever Relief.

• Beconase. Active ingredient: Beclomethasone

Beconase Hayfever Nasal Spray is a highly effective medication for treating and preventing airborne allergies such as hayfever, dust and pet allergy any time during the year. Unlike tablets Beconase Hayfever works right where the problem starts, in the nose. Beconase Hayfever has an anti-inflammatory action which quickly brings relief from allergy symptoms such as: sneezing, blocked nose, itchy nose, runny nose and eyes. Use regularly as it may take two or three days for Beconase Hayfever to build up to its maximum protective effect. Beconase Hayfever does not interact with other medicines or alcohol and does not cause drowsiness.

• Flixonase. Active ingredient: Fluticasone

Flixonase Allergy Nasal Spray works to help relieve hayfever symptoms for up to 24 hours. Flixonase Allergy Nasal Spray protects from all major airborne allergies including pollen (hayfever) pet hair dust mites mould spores. Flixonase Allergy Nasal Spray has a direct action to relieve allergy and hayfever symptoms where they start. You can use it in advance to prevent symptoms if you know you are going to come into contact with anything that may trigger your allergy.

Drug-Free Hayfever Remedies

There are a number of drug-free hayfever remedies available which work in a variety of different ways including the following products:

• Sterimar

Sterimar Isotonic is a pure sea water spray that gently moisturises and clears dry, stuffy nasal passages.It will help relieve nasal congestion associated with sinusitis, blocked nose, colds, hayfever, allergies and post-operative nasal care. Approx 300 standard sprays. Its gentle micro diffusion spray is delivered through a shaped nozzle that fits any nose, even a baby. Stermar has no preservatives and is drug-free, which makes it naturally safe for the whole family, including babies and mothers during pregnancy. It can be used as often as required.

The salt content in Sterimar Hypertonic is higher than that naturally found in a human cell, and therefore is able to extract liquids from the mucous membrane by the process of osmosis. Additionally, Sterimar Hypertonic contains copper and manganese. These elements reinforce the solution with specific properties which help fight against infectious irritants, like pollen that causes hayfever, and helps the salt solution to get to work. This entire process is gentle, fast acting and harmless. Your stuffy nose should ease off and breathing will become clearer.

• HayMax Pollen Barrier

HayMax is a balm that is applied to the uderneath of the nose. It forms a barrier to stop pollen from getting into your nose and therefore stops the onset of hayfever symptoms. It is an organic product and has proven to be growing in popularity.

• Qu-Chi Hayfever Relief Band

The Qu-Chi Hayfever Relief Band works by using accupressure. It is worn on the arm and applies pressure to a specific point on the outside of the elbow. It is a widely used alternative to medicines for hayfever and has been shown to be a highly effective way of reducing your hayfever syptoms.

Bad breath will murder your social life, so it’s reasonable for you to want to figure out what may be causing it. Some causes, such as spicy foods, are easy to solve, but others may also indicate something serious.

How do I know if I have got bad breath? Well, people can maintain a distance from you, but may be too polite to tell you the real reason.

If you’re lucky, someone will just be direct and just tell you, but failing that, you can lick your wrist and smell your saliva – if it stinks, your breath probably will too.

So lets look at 5 of the main causes of bad breath.

1. Smoking

Are you a smoker? Smoking, in addition to many other obvious ways in which it is bad for you, makes your breath smell of stale smoke. It also irritates gums and can increase your risk of gum disease, which can also be a cause of bad breath.

Solution? Quitting smoking. (Click Here For Products To Help You Quit)

2. Food

Next is the food. If you like raw onions and garlic, simply choose between this particular passion and decent breath. Alcohol and coffee also affect your breath, but fortunately you can get rid of your bad breath by limiting their consumption.

Solution? Watch what you eat and drink.

Note that if you eat infrequently, or diet this can also cause bad breath. This is also the case if you are not eating enough carbohydrates.

3. Hygeine

Of course, if you’re casual about keeping your mouth clean, no amount of cutting back on the garlic will help. It is not enough to brush your teeth only in the morning.

Your mouth is full of bacteria that cause plaque, gum disease and tooth decay.

When bacteria are mixed with saliva and food trapped between teeth, it produces a bad smell. The bacteria can reside on the tongue, which also affect your bad breath.

Solution? Floss and brush at least twice a day. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles, and take time to clean the teeth and tongue scraping can also help.

You can also rinse with antibacterial mouthwash, but this does not replace brushing teeth, no matter what your friends tell you. Make sure you visit your dentist regularly.

4. Gum Disease

So now that you are aware of these issues you are brushing twice a day and flossing, avoiding garlic and smoking but you are still suffering! What could it be?

You might have gum disease or dental decay and you should make an appointment to see your dentist immediately.

5. Medical Problems

Although this is rare, really bad breath could indicate a medical condition.

For example, your mouth could not produce enough saliva, or you could have an infection in the lungs, throat or nose. Bad breath also may indicate that you have diabetes, liver or kidney problems, or that you suffer from heartburn.

If you have been cleaning your mouth thouroughly and bad breath persists, you should immediately consult your doctor.

Recent studies have confirmed that poor oral hygiene, can increase the risk of heart attack.

Poor hygiene can lead to bleeding gums, which provide the bacteria with a route into the bloodstream, where they can initiate blood clots leading to heart disease.

1. Sugar Swaps

We wouldn’t let our kids eat sugar straight from the sugar bowl. But we tend not to think about the sugar hiding in the other things they eat and drink.

The problem is that excess sugar can mean excess energy which in turn can lead to stored fat in the body and diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

To prevent this, many families are making Sugar Swaps: they’re swapping food and drink with added sugar for stuff that has no added sugar or is sugar free.

In particular, more than a quarter of the added sugar in kids’ diets comes from sugary drinks. So swapping to water, milk (ideally semi-skimmed), sugar free drinks, sugar free squash, or unsweetened fruit juice really makes a difference.

Here are some easy swaps that mean that kids can enjoy their food without taking in too much sugar:
1. Drink swap
Switch from sugary drinks to no added sugar drinks such as water, milk (ideally semi-skimmed – but remember children under two need full-fat milk), unsweetened fruit juice or even sugar free fizzy drinks.

2. Snack swap
Choose snacks without added sugar such as fruit, unsalted nuts, breadsticks, rice cakes or toast, instead of sweets, biscuits, chocolate, cakes and pastries.

3. Food label swap
When shopping, compare food labels and switch to the one that’s marked no added sugar or sugar free. Some packaging uses a traffic light system which makes it even easier to choose food that is lower in sugar. Go for more ‘greens’ and ‘ambers’ and fewer ‘reds’ in your shopping basket.

4. Breakfast swap
Switch to cereals with no added sugar or sugar free, or other breakfast options like fruit or toast (but if you spread on jam or honey, make sure it’s a thin layer!)

5. Dessert swap
Switch from sugary desserts like chocolate, biscuits and cake, to less sugary desserts like lower fat yoghurt or fruit. Or compare the labels on two desserts and choose the one with no added sugar or sugar free.

2. 5 a day

Eating more fruit and veg is important for us all, but how many of us actually manage to eat 5 A DAY? Fruit and veg are packed with essential vitamins, minerals and fibre which can help reduce the risk of nasty diseases like cancer and heart disease. So it’s important for kids to eat a variety of at least five portions of fruit and veg every day.

What’s more it can be easier than you think to give kids their 5 A DAY. As well as fresh fruit and veg, canned, frozen, 100% fruit juice and dried fruit and veg all count.

And giving your kids 5 A DAY needn’t be expensive – canned and frozen fruit and veg are usually cheaper and don’t go off as quickly. And, buying fresh fruit and veg when it’s in season can be cheaper too.

Remember – potatoes don’t count towards your 5 A DAY as they’re counted as starchy food. But you can still eat them as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

All school dinners include at least one portion of fruit and one portion of veg so that’s another way of getting them toward a minimum of five portions a day.

It can be easier than you think to give your kids a variety of five or more portions of fruit and veg a day. One kid’s portion size roughly works out as the child’s handful of fruit or veg. Here are lots of different ideas on how to get a portion:
1. Drink one
One glass (150ml) of unsweetened fruit juice or a fruit smoothie per day counts as one portion. So they can start on their way to 5 A DAY at breakfast.

2. Defrost one
Frozen fruit and veg count towards 5 A DAY and can be just as good as fresh. It only takes a couple of minutes to microwave some frozen peas.

3. Open one
Canned fruit and veg counts too, so get busy with the tin opener! Choose canned fruit and veg in its own juice, which is healthier than eating fruit canned in sugary syrup or veg canned with added salt and sugar.

4. Chop one
Fruit can be fun for kids. Peel it, slice it, make shapes with it, and you’ll make it easy for them to enjoy.

5. Pack one
A piece of fruit or veg can help cheer up a lunchbox. Try carrot sticks, baby tomatoes or a banana with a face drawn on the skin.

6. Sprinkle one
It’s easy to add fresh, frozen or canned fruit and veg to meals. Try sprinkling sweetcorn or pineapple chunks on top of a pizza.

7. Dip one
It’s fun to dunk. Cucumber, pepper & carrot sticks all go well with lower fat dips.

8. Add one
Try grated or chopped carrots in spag bol, or throw tasty veg into a sauce.

9. Snack on one
Fresh and dried fruit counts. Try a small handful of raisins or dried apricots – they make a great 5 A DAY treat. It’s also a good idea to pack some healthy snacks for when you’re out and about and the kids get peckish.

10. Pulse one
Lentils, beans and peas are all pulses that count towards 5 A DAY and they can easily be added to stews and salads.

3. Meal Time

We all seem to be busy these days, and in our hectic modern lives we often don’t make time for meals. But rushing, making do and eating on the go all lead to unhealthier eating habits like snacking, eating fast food, TV meals, fussy eating and so on. Skipping meals is also not good for children as they may miss out on essential nutrients. That’s why making time for regular meals is important.

It’s up to you how you do this to fit with your family and lifestyle, but sticking to regular meal times really helps.

We’re all busy these days, so here are some ways to help you make time for meal time:
1. Meal times
Try to organise the day around three regular mealtimes. It’s easier to keep kids from pestering for snacks if they know when their next meal is coming.

2. Start at breakfast
It’s the best way to start the day and gives them the energy they need until lunchtime, so it’s important not to let your kids skip breakfast. Try lower or no added sugar cereals or toast, and if you add chopped fruit or a glass of unsweetened fruit juice then that counts toward their 5 A DAY too!

3. Have a school dinner
Having a school dinner is a great way to get kids sitting down to a proper meal. All school meals are designed to give kids the right balance of foods they need to keep healthy, and with at least one portion of fruit and one portion of veg every lunch time, they will be well on their way to 5 A DAY. Not only can you be sure that your kids aren’t wasting their dinner money on rubbish, but it’s much less hassle than making a packed lunch every day too.

4. Eat together when you can
Children like to copy their parents, brothers, sisters and friends. So if you can get children to eat together, or you can eat with them, they can see and copy others eating a variety of foods – kids enjoy it and it can save a bit of
time too.

5. ‘2 Snax Max’
If kids eat regular meals they shouldn’t need too much filling up in between. Some families find it useful to set a limit to the number of snacks each day. For example, saying ‘2 Snax Max’, and offering just one snack in the morning
and one in the afternoon fits in really well with three regular meals. Plus, if they’re not snacking too much, children are likely to eat up better at mealtimes.

4. Snack Check

Most people snack more than they realise. But many snacks can be high in sugar, fat, calories, salt and all the things we shouldn’t eat too much of. There are no hard and fast rules on exactly how many snacks are too many, but many families find that setting a limit on snacks and treats is a great way of keeping a lid on their kids’ snacking.

Here are some ways Snack Check can help:
1. Keep count
Many families are surprised when they actually count up how many sweets, crisps and biscuits they get through and how much they are spending on snacks. Keep count and you’re more likely to cut down – which is good for your kids and for your purse too.

2. Three regular meals
Kids that eat three meals a day shouldn’t need lots of snacks. If your kids seem to be raiding the snack cupboard or biscuit barrel several times a day, think about what meals they’re eating and when, and aim for three regular meals a day.

3. ‘2 Snax Max’
To fit in with their three meals a day, some families find a good way of limiting snacks is to introduce a snacking limit such as ‘2 Snax Max’ and to offer just one snack in the morning and one in the afternoon.

4It’s not you, it’s the rule
Kids, don’t blame Mum! She’s just sticking to the rule – ‘2 Snax Max’. Mums, don’t feel guilty. If it helps, blame Max!

5. It’s kinder to say ‘no’
Of course we all love to indulge our kids. But in the long run it’s kinder to say ‘no’ to too many snacks. Try to find other ways of rewarding them like giving them stickers, or a trip to the park.

6. One of your 5
If you can make one of their snacks a healthier one, all the better. Fruit rather than a biscuit is a great way for children to get towards their 5 A DAY.

5. Me Size Meals

All parents want their kids to grow up big and strong, but we often give them grown up portions instead of giving them the kid size portions they need.

Feeding our kids more than they need won’t make them grow any quicker. In fact it just leads to fat storing up in their bodies which can lead to nasty diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

That’s why many families are making a conscious effort to serve kids ‘Me Size Meals’ – portions that are just the right size for them. It’s common sense really!

Giving them ‘Me Size Meals’ means you might even begin to see clean plates coming back. And if they really are still hungry, it’s OK to give them some seconds.

Kids really only need portions that match their age – a five year old needs less than a ten year old and a ten year old needs less than a grown up. Here are some tips to make sure they get the right amount and aren’t over-fed:
1. Make a fist
Look at the size of your child’s fist compared to yours. Not only are their fists, hands and feet smaller than yours, their stomach is too. So when you are serving up remember to give your kids smaller amounts of food than adults. It will still fill them up, just not till they’re bursting!

2. Clean plates
We all love to see clean plates coming back from our kids. Give them a chance of finishing their food by giving them a portion that matches their size to begin with.

3. Don’t nag them to eat up
We’ve all done it. Our parents did it to us. But it’s healthier to serve them a kid sized portion and if they’re still hungry, let them ask for more. If you use Snack Check to ensure they’re not filling up on snacks they will also be more likely to eat well at meal times.

4. Watch packaging sizes
Many foods and drinks (like cans of sugary drinks) are packaged for adults and for sharing. Don’t automatically give it all to a child, try saving some for later, or dividing it out – it’s better for them and will save money too.

6. Cut Back Fat

We all know too much fat is bad for us. But we don’t always know where it’s lurking. And when it seems to be in so many of the things we like, it can be difficult to know how to cut down.

Fortunately, there are plenty of simple ways to go easy on the fat; simple things like comparing food labels, swapping certain foods for others and making changes to the way we prepare and cook food.

For example, grilled fish fingers have much less fat than fried fish fingers and trimming the fat off bacon can reduce its fat by about a half.

Here are a few simple ways you can start going easy on the fat right away:
1. Cut down
Many snack foods are high in fat and should be seen as a treat. Try to limit the amount of crisps, buns, cakes, pastries, and biscuits your kids eat.

2. Look for lower
Compare food labels and choose lower fat spreads, and lower fat varieties of dairy foods such as semi-skimmed milk, lower fat yoghurts and reduced fat cheese. Sausages and burgers are generally high in fat, so try looking for lower fat meat such as skinless chicken or lean mince. And it doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive – try turkey (without the skin on) or turkey mince.

3. Change your cooking
Cutting off any visible fat from meat and skin from poultry before cooking, and draining off fat after cooking are easy ways to cut down on fat. Grilling meat instead of frying it is a great idea too.

4. Make a swap
Making a swap is easy to do and means you don’t have to miss out. Try switching to oven chips rather than deep frying them, or having a dollop of yoghurt (frozen or fresh) or sorbet instead of having cream or ice cream.

7. 60 active minutes

Active kids are happy kids – they like to be up and about, running around and having fun.

The trouble is, that in this modern world they’ve got lots of things to keep them inside vegging out, rather than going
outside to play or have a run around. In fact, kids need to do at least 60 minutes of activity that gets their heart beating faster than usual. And they need to do it every day to burn energy and help their muscles and bones grow strong.

The more active your kids are, the less likely it is they will store up excess fat in the body which can lead to cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Even at school they are sitting for much of the day, so getting the right amount of after school activity is important. And don’t forget their 60 Active Minutes at the weekend too! They can build up their 60 Active Minutes throughout the day, doing a range of activities.

Kids don’t need to get their 60 Active Minutes all in one go – they can clock them up bit by bit through the day.
It doesn’t matter how your kids get their 60 Active Minutes a day – in fact variety is good. Different activities are good for different aspects of their health. Here are a few ideas for fun ways to get your kids to move more:
1. Play
It’s what kids do best and enjoy the most. Running around in the playground, park or garden, having fun with their friends, and burning off energy is a great way of getting some (or all) of their 60 Active Minutes each day. Indoors or outdoors – why not join them?!

2. Walk
We tend to rely on cars and buses to ferry the kids around these days – often for short hops when we could be using our feet. Instead of jumping in the car or on the bus, next time think about walking together. It saves money, and for short trips it’s often almost as quick. If you do need to travel by bus or car, you could always stop a bit early and put your best foot forward for the rest of the journey.

3. Dance
Dancing is a really fun way of burning heaps of energy. It doesn’t have to be at a dance class – you can make up your own routines and dance to the radio, or in front of the TV. All you need is a great tune and you and your kids can have fun dancing anywhere.

4. Swim
Whether it’s lengths of the pool, or having a good splash about with friends or family, kids love spending time in the water. Next time you want to treat them think about a trip to the pool.

5. Bike
Cycling is a great alternative to the car or bus, and can be much more convenient too – no waiting around, no traffic jams or parking problems, and no parking charges either. You don’t even need to have somewhere to get to, just getting the kids out for a bike ride is a great fun activity and cycling is a great skill for them to have.

6.And it doesn’t end there Activity doesn’t have to cost anything. It needn’t mean joining a gym or sports club (although that’s great if that’s what your children like). Going outside is free, and fun is the best gym. So remember – any kind of activity counts towards your children’s 60 Active Minutes.

8. Up & About

Modern life has made things much more comfortable for us – so comfortable, in fact, that most of us spend too long sitting down doing nothing much at all!

Of course it’s important to relax, but there’s a difference between chilling out and vegging out. And the fact is that kids who are inactive don’t burn off enough energy and risk storing up fat in their bodies.

The solution is simple – get up! Simply being up, about and moving burns calories, and helps their muscles and bones grow healthy and strong. Being active can also help fend off diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Something as obvious as getting your kids up off the sofa will help. Many families are setting a limit of ‘2 hours max’ of screen time each day. It stops kids vegging out and helps them get their 60 Active Minutes or more everyday.

Healthy kids get up & about, they don’t veg out. Remember, kids’ bodies are designed to be active, and moving around will help them burn all that energy. Here are some suggestions on how to make yours an up & about house:
1. ‘2 hours max’
You may find it useful to set a limit on how long your children can sit in front of the TV, computer or video game. Some families have found saying ‘2 hours max’ of screen time helps them to make sure kids move, play, or go outside
after they’ve been sitting still for a while.

2. Feet First
Sitting in the car or on the bus uses little energy. If it’s a short hop think about walking or cycling with the kids instead. It’s more fun and you can save money too.

3. After school
Parents tend to overestimate how much energy kids use at school. Remember, they’re actually sitting down most of the time. The best way for them to unwind after school is for them to be up and active rather than sitting down,
vegging out.

4. Get up after eating
Don’t let them flop for a long time after meals. Just being up and about burns off excess calories so encourage them to have fun and get up and about instead.

5. Family time
Families that play together have more fun. Kids love nothing more than getting mum and dad involved in their games so find time to do things together after school and make either Saturday or Sunday an active day where you visit a park, pool, or go on a walk.

For more information on how to help you kids to be healthier and stay healthier visit Change 4 Life.

What is the Exorex Psoriasis Management System?

The Exorex range, including compatible moisturisers and cleansers is:-

EXOREX LOTION Coal Tar Solution 5% v/w Cutaneous Emulsion

EXOREX MOISTURISING CREAM

EXOREX SCALP MOISTURISER

EXOREX HAIR & BODY SHAMPOO

All products in the Exorex Management System have been designed to work together to help you control your psoriasis. This means that you can use one or more products in the range in conjunction with EXOREX LOTION. The compatible products, which may be used with EXOREX LOTION, are also fragrance free and colourant free.

EXOREX LOTION is the most important product in the Exorex Management System providing relief from psoriasis. It is a patented formulation containing prepared coal tar (5% v/w) in a base containing a complex of esterified essential fatty acids.

Psoriasis – Some Basic Rules

With regular treatment it may be possible to control psoriasis and you may remain symptom free for long periods of time. In addition to following the Exorex Management System the following points should be noted:

• Never Irritate Lesions

Avoid irritants such as perfumed and/or coloured soaps, shampoos, shower gels, body creams, baby oils and moisturisers.

• Never Allow Lesions to Become Excessively Dry

Moisturise as often as needed between EXOREX LOTION applications, using compatible moisturisers such as EXOREX MOISTURISING CREAM for the body and EXOREX SCALP MOISTURISER for the scalp.

• Be Careful With Alcohol Consumption

Some people feel their psoriasis can be triggered or made worse by drinking alcohol. Therefore we recommend that you avoid drinking alcohol, especially during the first 3 months of your treatment programme.

• Avoid Contact Irritants

Certain detergents, deodorants, hair dyes, perfumes and after-shaves can act as triggers. Therefore it is worth keeping a watchful eye on your particular trigger substance and avoid wherever possible.

• Be Aware of your Diet

Again, some people feel that certain foods can aggravate psoriasis. The ‘problem’ foods vary greatly from one sufferer to another, therefore you may need to discover what, if any, foods have an effect on your own condition by eating things in isolation and noting whether there are any changes to your condition.

How To Use The Products in the Exorex Range

BODY

Before each treatment, cleanse the affected areas gently using non-irritant compatible cleansers. Pat dry – avoid harsh rubbing.

In the morning, apply EXOREX LOTION to the affected areas of your body. Don’t worry about Lotion getting on good skin – no harm will be done. Apply sufficient Lotion so that it dries in approx. 2 minutes. If it dries well before, you have not applied enough. If it dries well after 2 minutes, you have applied too much, and are simply wasting Lotion.

Once the Lotion has dried, we suggest that you apply a moisturiser such as EXOREX MOISTURISING CREAM to the affected areas (on top of the Lotion) and massage in gently until it disappears and dries.

Repeat the regime at midday (if at all possible) and again in the evening.

Note: You should not apply EXOREX LOTION to the body more than 3 times daily. However, there is no restriction in daily use of EXOREX MOISTURISING CREAM. Therefore, you may wish to apply it in between Lotion applications to help reduce itching and irritation, maintain moisture and help remove scaling.

SCALP

Shampoo hair in the morning (or evening if you prefer) with a compatible non-irritant shampoo such as EXOREX HAIR & BODY SHAMPOO.

Apply EXOREX LOTION to the affected areas of the scalp and massage in lightly for a minute (again, do not worry about getting EXOREX LOTION on “good skin” – no harm will be done). Apply EXOREX SCALP MOISTURISER to the affected areas of the scalp and massage in lightly for about a minute. (If you are also using EXOREX LOTION on your body you may find it easier to apply the SCALP MOISTURISER to your scalp after applying Lotion to the affected areas of your body).

DO NOT RINSE OFF. Repeat at midday (if at all possible) without shampooing hair. Repeat midday regime at night. At this time you can replace SCALP MOISTURISER with EXOREX MOISTURISING CREAM if you feel this would be more beneficial.

With the EXOREX LOTION and SCALP MOISTURISER, only you will know that you are using anything. Simply put a brush/comb through your hair once dry.

Results – Does Exorex Work?

When you begin using EXOREX as suggested, the initial “treatment phase” can take 60 to 90 days. Many sufferers may begin to see a marked improvement in their psoriasis during this period. However, it can sometimes take longer for improvement to occur. Remember no two sufferers are the same.

Losing weight can be really hard work. That’s why Alli is really good news. Alli is the first and only non-prescription weight loss aid to be licensed for use thoughout Europe.

Alli can be taken by overweight adults aged 18 or over who have a BMI of 28 or over. Alli is not a magic miracle weight loss wonder drug which make weight loss easy, it’s a capsule plus support programme that can reward your efforts by boosting weight loss. Adding Alli to a reduced calorie, lower fat diet can boost your weight loss by 50%. So for every 2 lbs (1Kg) you lose from your own efforts, alli can help you lose 1 lb (1/2 Kg) more.

There are lots of good things you can look forward to with the Alli programme:

• a more rewarding way of dieting
• Learning new habits, including getting more active, that can increase your energy levels and help you to keep the weight off
• Improving your health
• discovering new recipes
• making new friends through the alli online forum
• developing a new sense of style as you shop for clothes that fit the new you

If you know what it’s like to step on to the scales and not lose as much weight as you were expecting, Alli could be just what you need.

It is clinically proven that adding Alli to a reduced calorie, lower fat diet can boost weight loss by 50%. Alli allows you to eat satisfying, balanced meals without feeling bored or deprived and helps you achieve the weight loss you want.

Crash diets and quick fixes rarely work over the long term and usually end up wmaking people feel more despondent than before. Alli aims for sensible, gradual weight loss – about 1-2 lbs (1/2 – 1 kg) a week.

With the Alli programme you’ll learn why it’s important to adopt healthier eating habits and do more daily physical activity over the long term. These changes are simple but they take a bit of practice. Step by step you can achieve you weight loss goal with the Alli programme.

The Health Benefits of Losing Weight

It’s very easy to associate losing weight just with looking better – wouldn’t everything be perfect if you could drop a size or two? Or feel more comfortable in your jeans?

However, it is important to understand that being overweight increases your risk of developing several serious health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. These conditions may not cause you to feel unwell so you should see your doctor for a general health check. The good news is that losing even a modest amount of weight can significantly reduce the risk of these problems.

How Does Alli Work?

The active ingredient in Alli is designed to target fat in your digestive system. It stops about a quarter of the fat you eat from being absorbed and this fat passes out of your body in your stools.

Due to the way Alli works, you may experience diet-related treatment effects.

It is important that you commit to a lower fat diet. If you do, the action of the capsules will boost your efforts, helping you to lose more weight than dieting alone and you will be able to manage any diet-related treatment effects.

Alli works only in your digestive system so it does not affect your heart rate or your brain or cause sleeplessness.

Diet-Related Treatment Effects (Side Effects of Alli)

Like all medicine, Alli can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The cost common side effects associated with Alli are wind with or without oily spotting, sudden or more frequent bowel motions and soft stools. These are caused by the way the capsules work and result from some of the fat being passed out of your body. Such effects typically occur within the first few weeks of using the capsules, before you may have learnt to liit the amount of fat in your diet. Such diet-relates treatment effects may be a signal that you have eaten more fat than you should have done.

These side effects are largely due to what you eat, so eat lower-fat meals to help manage them. The following tips will help:

• Find out more about how much fat your favourite foods typically contain and the size of your portions. By getting used to the recommended portions, you’ll be less likely to accidentaly go over your daily fat target.
• Distribute your fat evenly across your meals. Don’t “save” fat grams from lunch and “spend” them at dinner – each meal and snack must be within your fat target.
• Be Patient. It may take a little time to familiarise yourself with your fat and calorie targets. Most users who experience diet-related treatment effects at the start learn how to manage them.
• Keeping a food diary is an invaluable tool to help you recognise which foods can lead to diet-related treatment effects.

You still need to eat a small amount of fat while on the Alli programme as fat is an important, essential part of a balanced diet. The right amount of fat helps the body absorb vitamins and perform other functions. You just need to limit your intake to around 15g of fat per meal (based on a diet of 1400 calories a day).

In 80% of all cases, it is “androgenetic alopecia” that worries men: Hereditary hair loss due to supersenstitivity of the hair roots to the hormone testosterone (DHT).

On the one hand, testosterone makes beard hair grow but also weakens predisposed ahir roots in the scalp. They die prematurely, because testosterone cuts off their energy supply.

Based on an active ingredient combination containing caffeine, Alpecin has succeeded in stopping this negative testosterone effect and therefore effectively fighting the cause of hereditary hair loss.

To understand the effect of caffeine, one needs to take a closer look at the hair’s growth cycle: Normally, the hair root is active for up to 8 years (growth phase), follwed by a resting phase. The hair root releases hair and it falls out without the threat of alopecia. Subsequently, the hair root starts another growth phase and does so about 14 times before dying.

With the corresponding genetic predisposition, testosterone (DHT) prevents the generation of c-AMP, a messneger compound for energy, which is required for the hair roots’ metabolism. This shortens growth phases and the hair roots’ lifetime ends prematurely. If more and more hair roots die this way male balness will be the result.

The caffeine-containing ingredient of Alpecin protects the hair roots against the testosterone attack. This prolongs the growth phases, which means that  hair growth is possible well into old age.

Recent dermatological tests by thr university clinics of Hamburg-Eppendorf and Jena have confirmed the efficacy of caffeine against testosterone.

Hereditary hair loss is a genetic predisposition, not a disease. As such, it cannot be permanently cured but must be continuously treated. This is where Alpecin have proved valuable. The caffeine contained in Alpecin prevents the hair roots from following their hereditary propensity for increased hair loss and ensuing baldness.

Alpecin prevents hair loss – without any undesirable side effects.

When applied, it causes a fresh tingling on the scalp, its active ingredients travel along the hair sheath and form a depot sufficient for up to 24 hours. Every morning it takes just a small effort to ensure that the caffeine based ingredient combination protects you from hair loss.

With its caffeine-based ingredient combination, Alpecin keeps the hair roots active an helps extend their growth phase longer then genetically predisposed. This:

1. Counteracts premature hair loss
2. Increses hair root productivity
3. Enhances the speed of hair growth

The active ingerdients are applied directly where they are needed. This way, Alpecin get straight to the areas that need it without being difficult to use and apply. Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo penetrates despite the fact that the shampoo is rinsed out.

After just 120 seconds on the scalp, the active ingredient travels along the hair shaft to directly reach the hair root. If the shampoo is left on for longer the caffeine will alos penetrate the scalp.

What to do about Dandruff and Hair Loss

Germs and microorganisms that naturally occur on the skin use sebum as a source of nutition. Degradation products of sebum irritate the skin, make it itch and accelerate the formation of the keratinous layer. The consequence is dandruff. Due to subsequently released sebum, these skin cells stick together to form large visible flakes.

Dr Wolff Research has developed a shampoo the simultaneously counteracts both problems – Alpecin Double Effect Shampoo.

1st Effect: In the first step, the Double Effect Shampoo lossens the crust keratinous cells and thouroughly removes dandruff from the scalp.

2nd Effect: The removal of dandruff from the scalp has prepared the way for the caffeine complex.

All Alpecin products are suitable to be used in conjunction with other hair loss products such as Regaine Foam.

What causes eczema?

The exact cause of eczema is not fully known or understood, however we do know that oils in the skin becoming defective is the main issue. Normally skin offers a layer of protection, keeping water in and unwanted things like bacteria out of the body, but when a child has eczema the skin gets broken and dries out leaving it more open to infection.

Why has my child got eczema?

As previously stated it is not known why some people are more prone to eczema than others, but the most common form is Atopic (or Allergic) eczema which tends to affect 20% of children. Eczema seems to run in a family, meaning that if you suffered with it is a child then your children are more likely to also have the same issue. This form of eczema normally starts when a child is very young.

Children who have Atopic Eczema are also more likely to suffer from other conditions associated with allergies like Hayfever and Asthma.

Will my child’s eczema get better or go away?

Eczema is not a constant. It gets better and worse unexpectedly. There is no cure for eczema but there are several treatments available to help control it and make the good periods last longer between flare-ups and also make the bad periods not as bad. 75% of children grow out of eczema before they hit their teens.

What causes my child’s eczema to flare-up?

Eczema has many triggers that can lead to flare-ups. Below are a few of the main ones:

• House dust mites
• Pets
• Heat
• Soaps and bubble baths
• Certain foods

Avoiding things that you know can cause the eczema to get worse is advisable but is is not always possible as a lot of the triggers are involved in everyday life.

Treatment

There are lots of different emollient products available. Emollient ointments are the best way to moisturise the skin for the longest perios of time. There are also emollient creams, emollient lotions and emmolient gels available. The Oilatum Junior range is aimed at treating childhood eczema.

Your GP or nurse will be able to help you come up with a plan involving a range of emollinet products to help you avoid using products that may cause flare-ups. This is known as ‘complete emollient therapy’.

Most cases of eczema can be controlled uing a good emollient therapy routine and the occassional topical steroid (ask your doctor about these), but if your child has a bad or proloned flare-up then there are other treatments that your GP will be able to prescribe.

For more help with eczema you should speak to you GP or healthcare professional.

Smoking kills around 106,000 people in the UK each year. Smoking-related deaths are mainly due to cancers, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and heart disease. This is why we at Pharmacy First have put together our 10 top tips for quitting smoking.

1. Set a Date

Select a day that is convenient for you to quit and stick to it. Make sure it is a normal day that will not make it harder in any way to quit smoking.

2. Get a “Quitting Buddy”

It can be a lot harder to quit smoking on your own.  Qutting at the same trime as a friend will make things easier as they will know exactly what you are going through. Ex-smokers will say it is easy to quit and non-smokers will never understand just how difficult it can be to quit.

3. Save Your Money

On average smokers spend £5 a day on cigarettes. If you put all the monmey that you would normally spend on cigarettes in a jar you have the incentive of watching the money stack up. After a year you could have about £1800 saved up to spend on yourself!

4. Get Rid of Everything

To help you get into the mind set of being a non-smoker, get rid of everything related to smoking. This includes all cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays and matches. This removes all reminder and will remove the temptation to have “just one last cigarette”.

5. One Day at a Time

On the selected “Quitting Day” just think to yourself that you will not smoke just for that day. Then you are taking away the pressure of making the huge leap of quitting for ever. Just concentrate on one day. Then the next day do the same. Taking things one day at a time will make quitting smoking a lot easier. If you have to go to bed earlier to make it easier in the evenings then so be it. It is going to be worth it in the long run!

6. Nicotine Replacement

There are a wide range of nicotine replacement products available today that will help you to stop smoking.  These include nicotine gum, patches, lozenges, nasal sprays, inhalators, micro-tabs and electric cigarettes. Most of these work in steps. There are stronger pack to start with and you can gradually lower the strengths of the prodcuts as you become less addicted to the nicotine, until you no longer need any support.

7. Get a Hobby

Find something thgat takes your mind off smoking. Playing computer games, drawing, painting, reading. Anything that stops you from thinking about smoking. If at any point you do find yourself craving a cigarette then close your eyes and take long breaths in and out, perhaps even visualising smoking, until the cravings pass.

8. Keep an Eye on your Weight

Cigarettes are an appetite suppresant, so a lot of people put on weight once they quit smoking. Try to eat healthily and take care of your body. This has the added benefit of amking you feel better sooner too which works as an added incentive to carry on quitting!

9. Say “I don’t smoke!”

If someone offers you a cigarette say that you do not smoke and try to change to topic of conversation. Telling people, especially other smokers, that you are qutting will often lead to a converstaion about how difficult it must be and may even lead to you having “Just the One”. This can often lead to you abandoning quitting as you start to slide down the slippery slope once again. Start to think of yourself as a non-smoker and not someone who is quitting.

10. Try, Try Again

If you do not succeed and you do start smoking again, keep trying. Lots of people take a few attempts to finally quit. Just think of the benfits of quitting and give it another go.