Healthy Living

  You probably think of your local pharmacy as a place to stop and buy various medications and pharmaceuticals. And indeed, this is the key role that most pharmacies play. However, many pharmacies have a lot more to offer. Here are some additional, helpful services to check for at your local pharmacy. Medication Compounding Some pharmacies offer compounded medications. Thi s  means that they custom-mix medications to suit customers’ needs. They may take a medication that is usually provided in pill form and formulate it in a liquid. Or, they may compound a medication with a specific dose to suit your unique needs. If you’re allergic to inactive ingredients in a certain medication, a  compounding pharmacy  may be able to formulate a product that’s free from your allergen. Compounding can be a good option for patients who need  personalized hormone balancing medications . Sports injuries often specially  compounded pain medicine  to help reduce pain, inf...

Do you have sensitive skin? Since 70% of Americans describe themselves as having sensitive skin, I'm going to guess that you do. Sensitive skin is defined as skin that gets easily irritated by the use of products with added perfumes, dyes, or chemicals. Irritation can present itself as redness, itchiness, or even rashes. So if you have sensitive skin, you should be careful, otherwise you would end up spending a lot of money on skin products or even need to see a dermatologist for compounded medicine for skin care . Fortunately, there are easy precautions you can take when it comes to doing the laundry or cleaning in your home, to avoid aggravating your skin. Photo by  Sarah Brown  on  Unsplash Always Read Labels Whether it's laundry detergent, cleaning products, or face wash - I always read the labels on any product I buy to look for ingredients that may irritate my skin. Sometimes that can be tricky if you're not sure which ingredients are causing your ...

If we humans find snow and ice such an inconvenience, imagine how our furry companions feel! The rock salt that we spread all over the ground to help combat the slippery ice can actually wreak havoc on the sensitive little paws of our doggy friends. The salt can also be damaging to their noses, skin and even digestive systems if ingested. So how can we be more careful in the wintertime to protect our precious puppies? Keep Your Pup’s Feet Dry It’s a good idea to rinse or wipe your dog’s feet off if they’ve been walking in the salt and ice. But make sure to dry them afterward. Wetness behind your dog’s toes can lead to bacterial or yeast infections, so it’s essential to keep their feet dry after spending time outdoors. Golden retrievers and labs are prone to skin infections due to wetness, as are most dogs with longer fur. If you own a long-haired breed, it’s a smart idea to keep the hair around their nails trimmed. This can cut down on bacterial growth. Buy a Cute Dog Jacke...

Essential oils have become very popular in the last few years. These aromatic oils are used to freshen the air in homes, rubbed on the skin to brighten moods and  boost the immune system , and even used in diffusers at night to help bring on a restful night’s sleep. So, are essential oils safe? And if so, what are the best ways to use them? Photo by  Cosiela B.  on  Unsplash Essential Oils are Safe if Used With Caution Essential oils like lemon, eucalyptus, lavender and peppermint are all safe to use topically and diffused in the air. Studies have shown that the scents of these oils, and many others, can be soothing to the brain and can help with anxiety and depression. However, it is NEVER safe to ingest essential oils. Many oils are not regulated by the FDA, and you never know what else may be in that bottle, so save your oils for home use only. Keep Away from Pets Animals are very sensitive to essential oils. Since oils are in a concentrated form, th...

There is no need to spend tons of money on expensive skin products and lotions. But by stocking up on a few different natural ingredients that are inexpensive and easy to find at a local grocery store or  community pharmacy near me , I can always be prepared for a variety of skin-related situations. Read on to learn more. Witch Hazel No, it’s not something to use to put a curse on someone. Witch hazel is actually a common astringent that used for many different topical needs. Besides being very inexpensive, you can usually find it in a few various forms at your  local independent pharmacy . Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, you can use witch hazel for a variety of skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes from allergic reactions and even hemorrhoids. Aloe Aloe vera is a handy thing to have in your cabinet, especially in the summertime. When rubbed gently on the skin, aloe vera is incredibly soothing to sunburns and can even help it heal faste...