Everything you need to know about insect repellents! First stop – listen to this 15 minute episode to help you choose which ingredients are best for you – https://www.wondercare.ie/podcast/midges-mosquitoes-and-insect-repellents/ Once you’ve listened to the above podcast you will be able to choose which ingredient suits your needs best! Here I will make a list of all of the products I have available and organise them into products containing DEET, Saltidin and Citriodiol. DEET MEDICARE INSECT REPELLENT SPRAY 40% DEET 75ML MEDICARE INSECT REPELLENT SPRAY 30% DEET 75ML PYRAMID TREK DEET 20 ..read more

Impetigo is a very contagious bacterial skin condition which most commonly affects children up to four years of age (approx 3%) but also affects about 2% of children from five to 14 years of age.  It’s less common in adults and this is probably due to the nature of close contact children have in creche and school environments. Hands on slobbery play definitely encourages the spread of infection of all types but try telling that to a two year old! There may have been a time a few years ago that I was daft enough to think they may listen! Impetigo causes sores and blisters on the skin ..read more

A WonderCare Guide to Invasive Group A Streptococci (iGAS) What is Group A Streptococci (GAS)? GAS is a bacteria which lives on peoples skin and in their throat.  Usually this doesn’t cause any problems and people won’t even know it’s there!  However, Sometimes it does cause illness in the form of Scarlet Fever, a sore throat (strep throat) or even Impetigo. What is Invasive Group A Streptococci (iGAS)? Very rarely the GAS bacteria journeys into the blood or spinal fluid.  This very serious infection is known as Invasive Group A Streptococci or iGAS.  iGas can result in &nb ..read more

Impetigo is a very contagious bacterial skin condition which most commonly affects children up to four years of age (approx 3%) but also affects about 2% of children from five to 14 years of age.  It’s less common in adults and this is probably due to the nature of close contact children have in creche and school environments. Hands on slobbery play definitely encourages the spread of infection of all types but try telling that to a two year old! There may have been a time a few years ago that I was daft enough to think they may listen! Impetigo causes sores and blisters on the skin ..read more

LETTER TO LEO – 16th December 2022   Dear Taoiseach, It’s not often I’m embarrassed to be Irish, but as a pharmacist working within the confines of the Irish system today, I am. I spent five years in university developing my medical expertise in pharmacy. Despite this training my skills and those of my pharmacy colleagues, are being chronically underutilised in an Irish healthcare system at breaking point. I find this very frustrating, as my time spent working as a pharmacist in Scotland has shown me that there is a very simple answer to quickly alleviate the massive pressure frontline do ..read more

Antibiotic Shortage in Ireland – the six month story What is this all about? There is a lot of chat about the current antibiotic shortage in Ireland, in the media and amongst worried parents.  This is heightened of course by the potential risk for increased need due to the likely increase in Scarlet Fever cases.  The UK has seen a 4 fold increase of cases from week 37, and whilst scarlet fever is not a notifiable disease in Ireland (but is in the UK) and this can put additional strain on the antibiotic market. It is worth noting that the levels of RSV and bronchiolitis circulating re ..read more

A WonderCare Guide to Invasive Group A Streptococci (iGAS) What is Group A Streptococci (GAS)? GAS is a bacteria which lives on peoples skin and in their throat.  Usually this doesn’t cause any problems and people won’t even know it’s there!  However, Sometimes it does cause illness in the form of Scarlet Fever, a sore throat (strep throat) or even Impetigo. What is Invasive Group A Streptococci (iGAS)? Very rarely the GAS bacteria journeys into the blood or spinal fluid.  This very serious infection is known as Invasive Group A Streptococci or iGAS.  iGas can result in &nb ..read more

Cough’s – What causes them and how to treat them! A cough is a bodies reflex to clear its airways of dust, irritants or mucus.  The most common cause of cough is a cold and unfortunately it is known as the common cold as it occurs so often!  Coughing can disrupt sleep and cause irritation and distress to babies and their parents.  There are several different types of cough which I will explain now so that you know the best way to act in each case: Types of cough A chesty / productive cough This is a cough where mucus is present. A post nasal drip often is present at the same t ..read more

Ear infections in children What is an ear infection? An ear infection is inflammation of the middle section of the ear which can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. An ear infection causes fluid to build up behind the ear drum which is what causes the pain. It often occurs after a sore throat, cold or upper respiratory infection as these ailments give way to a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and also make it easy for viral infections to spread to the middle ear. Sore throats, colds, and upper respiratory infections cause inflammation of the passageways between the ear and the thr ..read more

Since the WHO Disease Outbreak News on Acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology – the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was published on 15 April 2022, there have been continuing further reports of cases of acute hepatitis in children of unknown origin. The situation in Ireland The HSE has confirmed that a child who was being treated for an acute form of hepatitis has died. A second child who was also being treated for the same illness has received a liver transplant. Six cases were reported last week and another seven cases of unexplained hepatitis in children are under in ..read more