Longer days and warmer weather are something many of us in Brighton and Hove look forward to, but summer can also bring its own health challenges. From medicines and hydration to hay fever, travel health and weight management, here are the questions our pharmacists are asked most often – and the advice we find ourselves giving every year.
Hot weather can affect your medicines
Most people don’t realise that summer can affect medicines as well as the people taking them.
Many medicines should be stored below 25°C (always check the storage instructions provided), and the MHRA advises avoiding leaving them in hot cars, direct sunlight or other high-temperature environments.
Some medicines, including certain blood pressure medicines, diuretics and antidepressants, can also increase your risk of dehydration or make it harder for your body to regulate its temperature.
If you’re travelling or you’re unsure whether hot weather could affect your medication, it’s worth asking your pharmacist before you go.
Staying hydrated is about more than drinking water
When temperatures rise, it’s easy to assume everyone needs electrolyte drinks. In reality, that’s rarely the case.
For most people, drinking enough water is all that’s needed. Electrolytes are generally most beneficial if you’re losing larger amounts of fluid through prolonged exercise, heavy sweating, working outdoors, spending time in very hot climates or recovering from vomiting or diarrhoea.
Hydration matters for your skin too. Hot weather, sunshine and air conditioning can all leave skin feeling dry, so alongside drinking enough fluids, remember to moisturise regularly and wear a broad-spectrum SPF every day.
If you’re unsure which hydration products are right for you, our pharmacists can help you choose from our range of electrolyte and hydration products.
Taking weight loss medication this summer?
If you’re taking a GLP-1 medication, staying hydrated becomes even more important.
Reduced appetite, nausea and vomiting can sometimes occur, particularly when starting treatment, increasing the risk of dehydration during warmer weather.
The key isn’t to stop treatment – it’s to plan ahead, drink regularly and seek advice if side effects become difficult to manage.
Our pharmacist-led Weight Loss Clinic provides ongoing support throughout your treatment, helping you get the best results safely and confidently.
Further reading: Oral Wegovy or Weight Loss Injections? A Pharmacist Explains Your Options.
If your hay fever treatment isn’t working, don’t give up
Hay fever affects millions of people across the UK, yet many simply accept it as part of summer.
The reality is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. While antihistamines work well for some people, others achieve better control with steroid nasal sprays or combination treatment.
Simple changes, such as showering after being outdoors, changing your clothes and keeping windows closed when pollen counts are high, can also make a real difference.
If your symptoms are still affecting your daily life despite treatment, speak to one of our pharmacists. There are often other options worth exploring.
Blocked ears after swimming?
Swimming doesn’t cause ear wax to build up, but water can cause existing wax to swell, leaving your ears feeling blocked or your hearing muffled.
One of the biggest mistakes we see is using cotton buds, which usually push wax further into the ear rather than removing it.
If blocked ears become a recurring problem, our Ear Microsuction Clinic offers a safe and effective way to remove excess wax without traditional ear syringing.
Don’t forget about your health when planning your holiday
Travel health involves much more than vaccinations.
Depending on where you’re travelling, you may need advice on malaria prevention, food and water safety, insect bite protection or travelling with prescription medicines.
TravelHealthPro recommends seeking travel health advice around six to eight weeks before departure where possible, but even if you’re travelling sooner, it’s still worth asking.
Our Travel Clinic provides personalised travel advice and a range of travel vaccinations to help you travel with confidence.
Feeling more tired than usual?
Hot weather, disrupted sleep and mild dehydration can all leave you feeling more tired than normal.
However, if your fatigue continues beyond the hottest days, it’s worth considering whether something else could be contributing. Low iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D deficiency, thyroid disorders and hormonal changes are all common causes of ongoing tiredness.
Rather than guessing, our Private Blood Testing Service can help investigate some of the common causes of ongoing fatigue, giving you more information to guide the next steps.
Enjoy summer – and know we’re here if you need us
Whether you have a question about your medication, need advice before travelling or want support with a longer-term health goal, don’t be afraid to ask.
An independent pharmacy is often one of the quickest and easiest places to get trusted healthcare advice. Sometimes, a short conversation is all it takes to prevent a small problem from becoming a bigger one.
Whatever your plans this summer, our team here at Being Well Pharmacy in Hove is here to help you stay well.