The heat wave we are now experiencing brings with it a wave of ailments we all would rather do without. But you don't need to suffer in silence, get down to your pharmacist who is there to give you advice and come to the rescue with all those hot weather blues. The Consumer Heath Information centre gives some handy advice to get you through the upcoming summer weather both at home and while on holiday abroad.

• Soaking up the rays: Avoid spending long lengths of time out in the sun, especially in the middle of the day when the rays are at their strongest. Remember, even when the clouds are in the sky, the sun's harmful rays are reaching you. If you are out in the sun, cover-up with a high- sun protection factor cream and wear a sun-hat or carry an umbrella to protect you. Fill up on fluids and make sure you have water with you, especially when travelling. Avoiding dehydration will hopefully keep those summer headaches and many of those hot weather blues away.
• Summer headaches: Get yourself a good pair of sunglasses to avoid headaches and eye stress. If you are suffering from headaches, as well as ensuring you are well hydrated and staying out of the sun, there are a range of pain relief remedies containing aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen that should ease your suffering by reducing pain and a temperature. Rest and don't overdo it.
• Prickly heat / sweat rash: Prickly heat and sweat rash doesn't just happen to babies. When the heat is turned up, we all naturally sweat more and it can lead to your skin becoming irritated. This leads to a red cluster of pimples or blisters. There are a number of powders that can help keep the affected area dry and will help increase your comfort, available in supermarkets and your pharmacist.
• Hayfever / allergy: The main symptoms of hayfever or allergies are sneezing, runny nose, blocked nose, itchy nose and throat, and watering eyes. You can develop hayfever at any stage in life, so don't assume you aren't suffering from it just because you never have before. Antihistamines are generally effective in controlling the typical symptoms of hayfever: sneezing, running nose, watery eyes and itching nose and throat. They are generally most effective if taken before the symptoms occur rather than after they have started. You can take antihistamines orally or nasally. Most eye symptoms caused by hay fever will be controlled by antihistamines. If your eyes are particularly troublesome, you may find it useful to use eye drops. If your hayfever symptoms only occur in the eyes, products containing sodium cromoglycate are particularly helpful. Additionally, for extra relief from a blocked nose you can take either a topical or oral decongestant or if suffering from sinus pain a pain relief product . Remember, you can catch a cold at any time of the year. If you are unsure if you are suffering from hayfever or a cold ask your pharmacist so that you can get the best treatment for your condition.

• It's a jungle out there: Poison oak / ivy and nettle stings & rashes can bring unhappiness in the summer months. There are a wide range of creams, lotions and sprays that will ease the sting and help clear up the redness. Common ingredients in these medicines include zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, hydrocortisone to clear up the redness and lidocaine or benzocaine to soothe the pain. Ask your pharmacist for advice on what will be most suited to you. The insects that live in the depths of our gardens and summer walks in the countryside can bring us hot weather blues too when they get their pincers or stings into us. Get yourself an insect repellent to prevent bites. But if you are too late, relief is on hand. There are a range of antihistamine creams and local anaesthetics that can provide relief.

• Enjoying the food and drink of life: Finally, by all means go out and enjoy the sun with barbecues, picnics and flowing wine but remember alcohol dehydrates you, so make sure you drink enough water. We all overdo it sometimes and can end up with a bit of an upset tummy or hangover. If you are suffering the consequences, there are a number of remedies at hand to help you through your recovery. There are a number of indigestion remedies that work in different ways. Some contain ingredients that work by neutralising the acid (antacids), others stop the stomach from producing too much acid (acid reducers), stop acid rising up from the stomach (alginates), release trapped wind in the stomach (antiflatulents) or help the stomach get back its normal movement (motility restorers). Some remedies contain a mixture of these ingredients. Ask your pharmacist to get the remedy that is most suitable for you. Treat your hangover with a pain relief product such as ibruprofen, paracetamol or aspirin and drink plenty fluids to ensure you re-hydate yourself.

Alan Nathan, pharmacist, lecturer and CHIC spokesperson comments:

'The heat wave and summer months bring with it a number of ailments that can give people the hot weather blues from sweat rashes and hayfever to insect bites and nettle stings. However, there are a range of remedies out there that can give you quick symptom relief, so you can make the most of the weather and enjoy the summer months. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist for advice and don't suffer in silence.'

For further information please contact:

For further information or an interview with Alan Nathan, contact Diane MacArthur on 0207 421 9314 or e-mail diane.macarthur@pagb.co.uk