Whelehans pharmacy week 4 different aspects of childrens health

This is the final of Whelehan’s Pharmacy’s four week special focusing on many different aspects of children’s health. If you missed the last three weeks of tips on children’s health, you can now find them on the Westmeath Examiner Website.

Food intolerance in children 
Food intolerance is an adverse reaction to a particular food or ingredient, which occurs every time the food is eaten. Food intolerance is when the body is unable to deal with a certain foodstuff, usually because it doesn't produce enough of the chemical or enzyme needed to properly digest that particular food. One of the most common intolerances is to cow's milk, which contains a certain type of sugar called lactose. Food intolerance can occur in adults or children.

Conditions in children sometimes linked to food intolerance include asthma, ADHD, bronchitis, digestive problems, headaches, insomnia, itchy skin problems, nasal congestion and more. While many of these problems are genetic and in many cases have no link to food intolerance, there are some cases where food intolerance exacerbates the problem. Food intolerance is can develop slowly, the initial symptoms being lack of energy, brain fog and a general feeling of being unwell which can persist for years. 

Food intolerance test
Whelehans Food Intolerance Testing Service checks upto 59 of the most common causes of food intolerance. We can do  tests in children (it involves a finger prick blood test so a parent must bear this in mind before getting their child tested as some children do not like finger prick tests). If the child tests positive to certain foods, the simple act of temporarily eliminating the food (under the advice of our staff) could have a massive positive impact on overall wellbeing. Get €15 off our food intolerance test with our voucher below (normally €100, €85 with voucher)(advisable for children over 5 years only)

Moisturising is key for dry skin conditions in Children
Evaporation of water on the skin leads to dry skin conditions like eczema. Skin hydration is a key to managing dry skin conditions. Lotions which have a high water and low oil content can worsen dry skin via evaporation and trigger a flare of the disease. However, thick creams like Whelehans Moisturising Cream which have a low water content  or ointments (eg, petroleum jelly, Emulsifying Ointment), which have zero water content will better protect against dry skin.
Whelehans Intensive Moisturising Cream has been developed for face, hands and body. It is based on a naturally occurring moisturiser called urea. Our aim is to give a deep penetrating moisturising effect. It is great for kids. Regular moisturising of your skin can benefit scaling and itchy skin conditions; dry flaking skin; burning sensation on skin; chapped and broken skin on hands; peeling skin on palms of hands and sunburn. Whelehans Moisturising Cream leaves the skin soft and smooth.

Ready Girls
Ready Girl Period Pack is a revolutionary new Irish product developed specifically with teenage girls in mind. It truly is the essential period pack- it has everything a young girl needs when out and about having fun and a period starts. There is no need to panic as this discreet pack contains everything you need and will fit into your school bag, gym pack or hand bag! It is at the ready just for you. No one need ever know! It is now available in Whelehans Pharmacy Mullingar.