5 Tips for Managing Your Child’s Medications During the School Year

At the beginning of a new school year, parents and guardians are busy picking up supplies for their children. While new notepads, binders, pencils, or lunchboxes are often on the shopping list, making sure your child has the medication they need is most important!

Children take medication for many reasons; sometimes, it’s only for emergencies, like an inhaler, or it could be a daily regimen like vitamins or antibiotics. Managing medication schedules during the school year may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! Learn more about medication management for your children below!

1. Change When Your Child Takes Their Medication

Medication management at school can be a hassle. If possible, give your child their medication outside school hours. For example, they could take their daily vitamins with breakfast or at bedtime.

If you’re not sure if changing the timing of your child’s medication is an option, ask their doctor or pharmacist for advice.

2. Get an Extra Medication Bottle for School

If your child takes medication at school, ask your pharmacist to split the medication between two bottles — one for home and one for school. After all, you don’t want to have to leave an important meeting because you forgot the medication at home!

However, medication taken at school must be in an original container, not in a baggie or envelope, and the label must include the following information:

  • Your child’s name
  • The ordering provider’s name
  • The prescription date
  • The expiration date
  • Route and frequency of administration
  • Medication dosage

This information is important for your child’s school to have to make sure the medication is given the right way to the right child.

3. Take Your Child’s Medication to School Yourself

Taking your child’s medication to school is a good idea, especially for younger children. Unless you feel your child is mature and responsible enough to get their medicines to the right person, it’s best to take the medication to the appropriate person yourself.

Depending on the state laws and school rules, you may need to complete some medical consent forms. These forms may include permission for the school to give your child their medication or approval for your older children to carry and administer their own medicine. 

4. Find Out Who’s Responsible for Giving Your Child Medication

Knowing who’s responsible for giving your child their medication can give you peace of mind! Usually, the school nurse will be the one taking care of your child’s medication. Make sure to communicate any changes with the medication to them.

You’ll also want to check your child’s field trip schedules, since medication may need to be given during the trip. Check for any issues beforehand to prevent your child from missing out on a fun field trip!

5. Educate Your Child About Safe and Proper Use of Medication

If your child understands the importance of their medication and how to take it safely, they may be more willing to take it! Be positive, and encourage your child to learn the proper use of medication. 

  • Teach them how the medication can help them feel better
  • Describe the size, shape, and color of the medication
  • Teach your child the name of their medication
  • Show them when and how they should take their medication

While sharing is caring, sharing medication isn’t! Don’t forget to tell your kids not to share their medicine.

Pick Up Your Child’s Medications at Saenz Pharmacy!

If you forgot to pick up your child’s medications while running around getting other errands done, don’t fret! Saenz Pharmacy has you covered with free delivery, whether it’s for a new prescription or a regular refill!

At your McAllen pharmacy, we understand that life is busy, and a new school year makes it even more hectic! Let our caring team manage your family’s medications with easy online refills and convenient services today!

If your children need medications for the school year, get their prescriptions filled at Saenz Pharmacy! 

How Can You Protect Your Back From Bad Shoes?

When choosing what shoes to buy, our priority is often matching our outfits — we don’t always consider how those shoes affect our feet and back. While they may be stylish, the wrong shoes may actually be doing damage to our backs. 

A chain of muscles, bones, nerves, ligaments, joints, and tendons runs from the tops of our heads to the bottom of our feet. When one area is compromised, it can affect other parts of our body. Sometimes, back pain is related to your feet and the type of shoes you’re wearing. Read on to find out how orthopedic shoes could be the relief you need for your back!

How Can Poorly Designed Shoes Hurt Your Back?

There are 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons in each of your feet! Knowing that, it’s easy to imagine how pressure on one little bone or muscle could cause pain! Poorly designed shoes can put pressure in the wrong places, leading to problems in your back. 

  • Slipped discs
  • Torn discs
  • Fractured hip bones
  • Misaligned vertebrae
  • Strained joints and ligaments

Your feet are supposed to absorb the shock when you walk or run. However, poorly designed shoes can send that shock up your legs, causing pain in the hips and lower back.

Can Heels Affect Your Back?

Heels higher than an inch can affect how you walk, eventually affecting your spinal alignment and causing back pain! Walking in high heels pushes your pelvis forward and your hips backward, which can do two things: increase the wear on your discs and strain the ligaments and tendons of your back.

Does Arch Support Affect Spinal Health?

Arch support is very important for your back because it absorbs shock and stabilizes your feet and legs. If you notice that your back is aching at the end of the day, you may not have enough arch support in your shoes!

On the other hand, too much arch support can also cause problems for your back. A compressed arch can harm the nerves that run up and down your feet, sending the shockwaves directly into your back and causing pain. 

Wearing the Right Shoes To Help Your Back

The right shoes can check all the boxes you need for back support! While you may think they aren’t the most stylish compared to other shoes, orthopedic shoes could relieve your back pain the most.

  • Roomy toe boxes
  • Lower heels
  • Arch supports
  • Soft cushions

Every foot has different needs, whether it be shoe size, support level, or toe space, but orthopedic shoes can help anyone!

Pick Up a Pair of Orthopedic Shoes at Saenz Pharmacy!

If you want to ease your back pain or prevent further discomfort, you may want to consider trying some orthopedic shoes from your McAllen pharmacy. With our experienced staff, Saenz Pharmacy can help you by measuring your feet and finding the pair that fits your needs! Don’t suffer with bad shoes; find relief for your back today!

If you need some back pain relief, try on some orthopedic shoes at Saenz Pharmacy today!

5 Reasons Why Your Doctor Hates Your High Heels

High heels can be a great fashion statement and, for some people, they’re a closet staple. High heels can give your outfit the perfect finishing touch, whether you’re wearing them for work, a party, or a wedding, but they aren’t necessarily the best thing to wear all the time.  

If you wear high heels for an occasional event, you probably won’t notice any drastic changes to your health. But if you wear high heels on a weekly or daily basis, it could affect your body. Your McAllen pharmacy is here to tell you how high heels can cause you harm, and how wearing the right footwear can help!

1. Increased Risk of Injury

Your center of gravity changes when you wear high heels, and you walk differently. So while you can still trip and fall or twist your ankle with any other pair of shoes, you are more likely to do so when wearing high heels. The higher the heel, the higher the risk!

Since your body weight has shifted, there is extra pressure on the ball of your foot, which increases the chance of a stress fracture in your feet. This can happen without a fall or other noticeable injury.

2. Foot Deformation

Not only can high heels worsen existing foot problems, but they can also cause temporary or permanent damage to your foot. 

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Arthritis
  • Pump bumps
  • Calculus
  • Plantar Fasciitis

You can also damage your toenails and get ingrown nails or bruises. High heels with pointy toes are more likely to cause damage to your toes and toenails.

The constant pressure on the ball of your foot can cause Morton’s Neuroma. The tissue in your feet builds when you wear high heels and puts pressure on your nerves. If it isn’t treated quickly, this type of nerve damage can be permanent. 

3. Back Issues

When you wear high heels, your posture is also affected. You may adjust your back, like hunching over or curving your spine backward, to be able to walk in your heels. This can cause sciatica and arthritis in the spine, even in younger adults.   

4. Shortened Achilles Tendon

While it may seem like you don’t have any pressure on your Achilles tendon when wearing high heels, it can actually be bad for you in the long run. When you wear high heels often, your Achilles tendon becomes shorter and eventually causes pain above your heel. 

5. Leg Injuries

Not only can your feet and back be affected by high heels, but so can your legs. The extra pressure of walking in high heels can cause multiple leg problems.

  • Chronic knee pain
  • Calf muscle strains
  • Tendon tears
  • Ligament strains

When your legs are strained or in pain, you may start to walk differently, causing further damage to your back and feet. 

Find the Right Orthopedic Shoes for Your Needs at Saenz Pharmacy

Wearing high heels can be fun, bt wearing them all the time can do a number on your physical health!

If you’re having trouble because of high heels, consider trying a pair of orthopedic shoes. You can find many styles to choose from to fit your lifestyle while keeping your feet comfortable and safe! Don’t let the impacts of high heels get you down—pick up a pair of fashionable orthopedic shoes from the friendly team at Saenz Pharmacy today!

If you’re looking for your first pair of orthopedic shoes or need a replacement pair, visit Saenz Pharmacy to find your new set today! 

Bunions: What Are They and How Do I Find Relief?

If you find yourself unable to wear your favorite cowboy boots or sandals because of bunions, there’s still hope! Whether your bunions are causing you pain, or you just don’t like how they look, there are options for bunion relief.

No matter the cause, there are multiple ways to deal with bunions, and sometimes treatment can even be done from home! Read on from your McAllen pharmacy to learn if the pain or curve in your toe may be a bunion and what you can do about it.

What Are Bunions and Where Do They Come From?

If you have a bump at the base of your big toe, it may be a bunion. They develop when your big toe pushes onto your second toe, causing an unusual curve in the side of your foot. You can also get a bunion on your pinky toe called a tailor’s bunion that can curve into your fourth toe. 

Causes

Sometimes bunions are simply genetic, but often they are caused by footwear. If you wear narrow or unsupportive shoes, it can affect how you walk, causing bunions.

Symptoms

While everyone experiences pain differently, the symptoms of bunions can vary. People with arthritis may also feel more pain in their bunions than those without arthritis. 

  • Pain around the toe joint
  • Lost or reduced mobility of the toe
  • Redness or swelling of the toe
  • Calluses from friction between towes
  • Tenderness around the toe

8 Relief Options That May Help Bunion Foot Pain

Fortunately, there are ways to treat bunion pain at home; however, bunions are permanent unless they’re surgically removed. The purpose of home treatments is to relieve pain and stop the bunion from getting worse. Bunions usually take several years to form, so it’s a good idea to take action early!

  • Wear a Different Type of Shoes – If your shoes are narrow, high-heeled, or unsupportive, it may be time to try wearing orthopedic shoes. Don’t worry; they come in all kinds of styles, colors, and sizes to fit your needs! 
  • Add Some Extra Padding – You may find that adding an extra shoe insert or bunion padding can give your toes some comfort. 
  • Stretch and Massage Your Toes – Since bunions can make your toes stiff, you may find relief from stretching and massaging your toes. 
  • Maintain a Healthy Weight – Most of your body’s weight rests on your big toe joint, and being overweight can cause more pressure on your bunions. 
  • Wear Toe Splints – A nighttime toe splint may be able to help you sleep without bunion pain. 
  • Take Over-the-Counter Medication – You may be able to take some medication to reduce the inflammation and pain from your bunion. Ask your pharmacist or provider for advice on which one to take. 
  • Apply Ice or Soak in Warm Water – Sometimes, icing the joint or soaking your foot in warm water can relax the muscles and reduce inflammation. 
  • Talk to Your Doctor About Surgery – If the pain begins to seriously affect your life, your doctor may recommend a surgical fix called a bunionectomy. This procedure, used as a last resort, straightens your toe and adjusts the muscles to prevent it from happening again. 

Visit Saenz Pharmacy to Pick Up Some Orthopedic Shoes

If you’re seeking relief from bunion pain or just want to take better care of your feet, one big step you can take, pun intended, is getting a pair of orthopedic shoes. 

With extra support and room in the toe box, orthopedic shoes can give your toes (and bunions) the space they need. You can pick up some orthopedic shoes at Saenz Pharmacy — it may be just the thing you need to relieve your foot pain today!

Find relief from your bunion pain by trying on a pair of orthopedic shoes at Saenz Pharmacy!

How Does Diabetes Affect Your Legs and Feet? Can Orthopedic Shoes Help?

Many people know that diabetes affects your blood sugar, but you may not know that it can affect the health of your legs and feet. People diagnosed with diabetes often make changes to their diet, but it’s important that they protect their feet, as well.

While you may do your best to take care of your legs and feet by keeping them clean and dry, trimming your nails, or moisturizing your skin, you can take it one step further. Orthopedic shoes can help you prevent damage or maintain your feet and leg health while you work to improve your sugar levels. Keep reading to learn the benefits of orthopedic shoes for diabetic health. 

5 Diabetic Leg and Foot Health Conditions

Over time, untreated diabetes can lead to serious health conditions that affect far more than your feet and legs. However, even with your blood sugar under control, diabetes can do some damage to your lower extremities.

1. Diabetic Neuropathy

High blood sugar can cause nerve damage to your legs and feet, causing pain and numbness. While some may experience only mild symptoms, others may suffer so much pain they cannot walk. Orthopedic shoes are designed with lightweight cushions, stretchable material, and arch support that can help relieve the pressure of nerve pain while standing and walking.

2. Poor Blood Flow

Diabetes hardens and restricts the blood vessels in the legs and feet, resulting in poor circulation, pain in the calves, and cold feet. Keeping your feet warm and getting regular exercise are great ways to keep your blood moving. If you’re having trouble staying active and keeping your feet warm without extra moisture, try some breathable orthopedic shoes.

3. Gangrene

When you can’t feel your feet or legs due to nerve damage from diabetes, it puts you at a higher risk of gangrene. Accidental injuries, calluses, and foot ulcers that worsen could get infected, and it doesn’t take long for gangrene to set in. Covered orthopedic shoes can protect your feet from accidental injuries, while the supportive cushion relieves pressure off any calluses and foot ulcers, allowing them to heal.

4. Charcot’s Foot

This condition can happen when people with diabetes can’t feel their feet and ankles due to nerve damage. Charcot’s foot can cause the foot and ankle to become deformed by attacking the tissues, muscles, and bones. Orthopedic shoes work to spread your weight across your whole foot, providing support to your feet and ankles and reducing pressure. 

5. Amputation

When wounds such as gangrene, foot ulcers, and calluses worsen, amputation can be necessary, including anything from a single toe to both legs. While you can still wear an orthopedic shoe after a toe amputation, the first goal of orthopedic shoes is to help prevent the causes of amputation. You can wear supportive orthopedic shoes to protect and support your feet and ankles.

Pick Up a Pair of Orthopedic Shoes at Saenz Pharmacy

You can take control of your diabetic health by wearing the best shoes for your feet. With supportive, breathable, and stretchy material, you can find comfort and style with orthopedic shoes.

Whether you need a new pair or are shopping for your first set of orthopedic shoes, you can find them at your McAllen pharmacy. At Saenz Pharmacy, our team can help you find the right size and type of orthopedic shoe that fits your needs!

If you have diabetes and want to improve your foot health, visit Saenz Pharmacy to find the right orthopedic shoes for your feet.

Does My Insurance Cover Orthopedic Shoes

Whether you have an employer-provided insurance plan or a government-funded healthcare plan, your insurance may cover all or part of the cost of your orthopedic shoes. Every insurance plan is different, meaning the orthotics covered will depend on the plan. Keep reading to find out if orthopedic shoes are covered by insurance

Does Medicare Cover Orthopedic Shoes?

If you have Medicare, the cost of orthopedic shoes will usually be covered if you need them for use with a leg brace. However, for your insurance to pay for your shoes, your doctor and the supplier must both be enrolled in Medicare. Your doctor will need to prescribe you the orthopedic shoes, and your supplier will submit the claim to Medicare. 

Will Blue Cross Blue Shield Pay for Orthopedic Shoes?

If you have insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield, they will cover orthopedic shoes as long as two requirements are met. 

  1. The orthopedic shoes must be considered medically necessary to treat illness or injury.
  2. A qualified provider has to prescribe you the shoes. 

Does Aetna Pay for Orthopedic Shoes?

Most Aetna insurance plans do not cover the cost of orthopedic shoes, but a few plans will cover shoes with strict requirements. If your Aetna plan does not cover orthopedic shoes, you may still be able to get the cost of the shoes covered if you have one of the following exceptions.

  1. Orthopedic shoes are medically necessary for the proper use of a leg brace.
  2. Shoes are needed after surgery or trauma for continued care.
  3. Orthopedic shoes can be covered for patients who have a partial foot. 
  4. The patient has diabetes and has a history or current condition of the foot.

Will United Healthcare Pay for Orthopedic Shoes?

United Healthcare will only cover orthopedic shoes if they’re needed for a leg brace. However, they may also pay for therapeutic shoes for people with diabetes and specific prosthetic shoes for people with a partial or full prosthetic foot.

How Can I Find Out What My Insurance Will Cover?

There are many other insurance companies in the United States, and each will have its own rules; some might require you to pay a copay or meet a deductible before they pay for orthopedic shoes.

If you have more questions about what your specific plan will cover, you can find out more from your health insurance company. Check out your insurance’s Summary of Benefits and Coverage to find out if your orthopedic shoes are covered, and call your agent with any questions.

Find Your Orthopedic Shoes at Saenz Pharmacy

If you’re asking yourself, “Are orthopedic shoes covered by insurance?” unfortunately, the answer isn’t always easy to find.

Sometimes answering this question can be frustrating. However, once your insurance has approved the coverage, finding the right pair of shoes doesn’t have to be a pain. Let Saenz Pharmacy help you get back out there, living your best life, by picking up some orthopedic shoes in-store today. 

With or without insurance, find your next pair of orthopedic shoes at Saenz Pharmacy.

How to Find the Best Orthopedic Shoes to Fit Your Needs

If you are experiencing any kind of foot pain, you know it’s not fun. Foot pain may stop you from getting out and enjoying the world around you. The answer to foot pain relief may lie in the shoes you wear. Orthopedic shoes can help a lot of people with pain, but each shoe is designed differently to support different types of health concerns.

Finding the best orthopedic shoes to wear for your specific health needs can make a world of difference. Keep reading to learn what type of orthopedic shoe you may need to help your pain. 

Choosing Orthopedic Shoes for Back Pain

Back pain can actually be connected to your feet. If the shoes you wear lack support, heel pain can cause you to walk differently, affecting your back. You can find relief from back pain with orthopedic shoes with the following features.

  • Curved sole cushions
  • Shock absorption
  • Arch support
  • Medium heel height
  • Soft cushion

Finding Orthopedic Shoes for Flat Feet

Pain from flat feet usually results from strained muscles and ligaments of the ankles and knees. People with flat feet may need extra support on the sides of their feet to prevent this type of pain. To figure out which side of your foot needs extra support, check your shoes; one side may be more worn than the other. Find orthopedic shoes with these benefits to support your flat feet.

  • Raised arch support
  • Supportive heel
  • Metatarsal pads
  • Durable material
  • Comfortable fit

Help Your Plantar Fasciitis With Orthopedic Shoes

Many people suffer from plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tissue in the heel. Since plantar fasciitis can make walking difficult, orthopedic shoes can help by providing support to your heel and relieving pain. Find the best orthopedic shoes for plantar fasciitis by choosing shoes with these important details. 

  • Removable insoles
  • Frim, flexible soles
  • Arch support
  • Toe cushion
  • Back strap or heel support

Choosing Orthopedic Shoes for Hammertoes

Hammertoes are a painful condition in which the toe is abnormally bent at the middle joint. Most regular shoes have narrow spaces for the toes, making it painful for people with hammertoes. Orthopedic shoes are designed with more space to help provide the room and comfort needed for hammertoes. Find orthopedic shoes with these perks to help relieve your hammertoe pain.

  • Stretchable material
  • Extra-deep toe box
  • Wide toe box
  • Soft interior
  • Supportive insoles

Buying Orthopedic Shoes for Metatarsalgia

The ball of your foot supports a lot of your weight when you are standing, walking, or running, and metatarsalgia happens when you experience pain in this area. If you have metatarsalgia, orthopedic shoes can give you the support needed to relieve the pain and pressure you may feel from regular activity. Look for these characteristics of orthopedic shoes that help with metatarsalgia discomfort. 

  • Shock absorption
  • Wide fit
  • Arch support
  • Soft cushion 
  • Slight heel

Find the Best Orthopedic Shoes at Saenz Pharmacy

With the many styles, colors, and designs available, finding the right pair of orthopedic shoes might be difficult. Your local pharmacy can help you decide which shoe is the best fit for you!

Saenz Pharmacy can help you find not just the right type of shoe, but the best one to take home today! Visit the pharmacy near you to see how a pair of orthopedic shoes may change your life. 

Find help choosing the best orthopedic shoes for your feet by reaching out to Saenz Pharmacy today!

The 4 Biggest Benefits of Wearing Orthopedic Shoes

Orthopedic shoes are specially designed to provide more room for your toes and heels while supporting your arches. With these larger toe spaces, proper arch support, and shock absorbency, orthopedic shoes can ease the impact on your joints and ligaments. Orthopedic shoes have amazing benefits that can help keep our feet healthy for a long time!

Some people assume orthopedic shoes won’t be fashionable, but specialized shoes have come a long way; they now come in different colors and styles that can match whatever you wear! Read more to learn where to buy orthopedic shoes and how they can benefit your health.

1. Orthopedic Shoes Can Help With Blood Flow

Proper circulation to your feet is essential; when you suffer from poor blood flow, you may experience foot cramps, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness. Orthopedic shoes can help by providing the room and support your feet need to encourage good circulation. People who suffer from diabetic neuropathy may find this especially helpful because this condition hinders blood flow.

2. Orthopedic Shoes Support Your Feet

If you’ve ever walked around in shoes that squeezed your toes, you know that it can be very painful. Shoes without the proper support for your toes and heels can cause pain and future alignment problems. Orthopedic shoes come in different sizes and widths — which you may not find in regular shoes — that can help relieve your squished toes and heels.

Orthopedic shoes also provide excellent support for your arches. Good arch support spreads the pressure evenly across the foot, which is great for shock absorbency. Not only does this help with foot pain, but it can help with joint pain in the ankles and knees.

3. Orthopedic Shoes Can Help Relieve Pain

Many people suffer from foot pain, whether it be from misaligned bones, health conditions affecting the muscles, or joint problems like plantar fasciitis or hammertoes. With compression lining and soft cushions, orthopedic shoes work to take the pressure off painful areas of the feet.

4. Orthopedic Shoes May Help You Avoid Surgery

Wearing orthopedic shoes can help heal existing foot problems and prevent them from getting worse. Bunions, flatfoot syndrome, or severe neuromas sometimes require surgery, but wearing orthopedic shoes can help prevent an operation by correcting misaligned toes and providing proper support.

Buy Your Next Pair of Orthopedic Shoes at Saenz Pharmacy!

The average person walks between 3,000 to 4,000 steps a day, and some do even more than that. That’s a lot of steps to be wasted in ill-fitting shoes! Stay comfortable and keep your feet healthy by picking up your new set of orthopedic shoes from your local pharmacy, Saenz Pharmacy. With orthopedic shoes, you can keep walking with less pain, increased blood flow, and better support for your feet.

If you’re looking for a pair of orthopedic shoes, reach out to Saenz Pharmacy to find the right fit for your feet.

Recognize Hepatitis Awareness Week: Learn About the Most Common Types of Hepatitis

Hepatitis Awareness Week, July 28 through August 3, is a week dedicated to educating the public about hepatitis, a disease in which an infection or injury inflames the liver. 

Some types of hepatitis are acute, or short-term, while others can be chronic, or long-term. Hepatitis can be viral or non-viral, and there are multiple types of hepatitis that differ in severity, transmission routes, and preventative treatment. 

During Hepatitis Awareness Week, let your McAllen pharmacy help you learn about viral and non-viral hepatitis, symptoms, and prevention methods.

Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is caused by a virus. Viral hepatitis has five main strains: A, B, C, D, and E. These viral infections are the most common types of hepatitis, with A, B, and C being the most common in the United States.  

Hepatitis A and E

Viral hepatitis A and E are spread through contaminated food or water, typically from contact with an infected person’s stool. These two types of viral hepatitis usually require short-term treatment and have a quick recovery.

Hepatitis B, C, and D

Viral hepatitis B, C, and D infections are spread through contact with bodily fluid, such as blood, semen, or vaginal secretions. Sharing needles or having sexual intercourse are the most common modes of transmission for these viruses. A person infected with one of these types of hepatitis will need long-term treatment.

Non-Viral Hepatitis

Other types of hepatitis that are not caused by a virus include autoimmune and toxic hepatitis. Autoimmune hepatitis involves an attack on the liver by the immune system; this disease is chronic with no known cause. Toxic hepatitis occurs when someone has been exposed to toxins, such as alcohol or drugs, and can be acute or chronic depending on how much damage has been done to the liver.

Hepatitis Symptoms and Treatment

Symptoms of acute hepatitis begin to appear between two weeks and six months after infection or injury. Meanwhile, chronic hepatitis symptoms may not show for a few years. All types of hepatitis have similar symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Stomach pain
  • Dark urine
  • Clay-colored stool
  • Jaundice

The treatment for hepatitis depends on the type; those with acute hepatitis may only need rest and fluids for it to go away on its own, while treatment for chronic hepatitis can include surgery and a possible liver transplant.

Goals for Preventing Hepatitis Deaths Around the World

The World Health Organization (WHO) strives to prevent deaths from hepatitis by educating the public. An infected person who knows how their disease is spread can take the appropriate precautions to avoid further infections, while educating against excessive drinking or exposure to other toxins can help prevent non-viral hepatitis. There are also vaccinations for hepatitis A and B available.

Find Help at a Drugstore Near You

Since viral hepatitis can be easily spread through bodily contact, food, or water, it is essential to take precautions to prevent infection, such as practicing safe sex and eating clean food. Limiting alcohol and drug use can also help prevent non-viral hepatitis.

Staying up to date on hepatitis vaccinations is an excellent way to prevent certain types of the disease. Your local Saenz Pharmacy is working to educate the public on the dangers of hepatitis and offer vaccination services.

Stay up to date with your vaccinations. Reach out to Saenz Pharmacy to schedule your appointment today!

Be Ready for Summer Vacation With a Fully Prepped First Aid Kit

Many of us spend winter waiting for the warm and sunny days of summer, and those days are finally here! At long last, you can start your exciting or adventurous vacations and get out to see new places!

Before you head out on your summer trips, make sure to get your fully prepped first aid kit ready to go. We all hope for a perfect vacation with no need for first aid supplies, but accidents happen, and being ready will help you make sure your trip can go on as planned. Keep reading to learn what to include in your first aid kit and where to find these essentials at a McAllen pharmacy near you.

Bandages and Dressings

In your kit, you will want to include different types and sizes of bandages and dressings, so you are prepared for anything from the smallest finger cut to a large knee scrape. Including some waterproof bandages may be helpful if your trip takes you near the beach or pool.

  • Adhesive bandages
  • Gauze dressings
  • Gauze pads
  • Butterfly bandages
  • Liquid bandages
  • Bandage tape

Protection From the Great Outdoors

If your adventures take you into the great outdoors, you’ll want to include bug repellent in your first aid kit. Insects can carry diseases and hiking with swarms of mosquitoes isn’t fun. Pack some bug spray to spray on yourself and your gear, or wear bug repellant wristbands. Repellent candles are a great way to keep bugs away from your food at your campsite or picnic table.

Sunscreen is another important item to have in your kit. Even if you’re not spending a long time in the sun, it’s important to protect your skin from sunburn, because burns are not only an annoyance, but bad for your overall health. You can find sunscreen in different SPF strengths and forms, such as lotions or sprays. Pick up some sunscreen lip balm to protect your lips from cracks and burns. 

Medications

You’ll need to have your prescriptions with you on summer trips, but there are some other medications to can keep on hand for emergencies. Hopefully you won’t get a cold or experience nausea on your vacation, but it’s best to expect the unexpected. The list below includes some medications you may find helpful to pack for your trip. 

  • Fever and pain reducers
  • Headache relievers
  • Nausea medication
  • Sea sickness pills
  • Allergy relief
  • Heartburn relief
  • Cold and flu medications
  • Laxatives
  • Cough drops

Pain Relief

If you get a cut, sunburn, or bug bite, you may need some pain relief. A pain reducer is great to include, but adding the following items will help you be prepared for other situations.

  • Burn cream
  • Aloe vera gel
  • Antibacterial pain reliever cream
  • Anti-itch spray
  • Instant ice packs
  • Thermal hot packs

Specific Needs

Depending on your family’s needs, you may also need additional items for your first aid kit, such as an inhaler, dust-free pillowcase, or lactose intolerance medication. The best thing to do when packing up your first aid kit is to look around your home to see what items you and your family use often and add them to your kit.

Other Essentials

Knowing you have a fully prepared first aid kit can help you relax on your trip. Complete the kit with some of these items you may already have around your house. If you’re missing an item, you can find it at your local drugstore. 

  • Tweezers
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Nitrile gloves
  • Scissors
  • Alcohol wipes
  • CPR face shield
  • Thermometer
  • Safety pins
  • Feminine products
  • Super glue
  • Eye wash solution 

Find First Aid Supplies at Your McAllen Pharmacy

Pack a fully-stocked first aid kit to be prepared for any injuries or illnesses on your summer vacation. You can avoid inconvenient stops to pick up supplies by being ready for any accidents. 

Saenz Pharmacy can help you find everything you need to prepare your first aid kit — visit your local drugstore before hitting the road this summer!

When you’re getting ready for your summer vacation, pick up everything you need for a complete first aid kit at Saenz Pharmacy!