Health Advice

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Head Lice – Help!!!

Every parent’s heart sinks when they receive the dreaded note from school warning about head lice. Don’t worry – Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy in Donabate is here to to give us advice and tips. The first thing to do is to check the child’s head. You will need some tea tree conditioner, a... Read more >

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Are You SunSmart?

We ask Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy Donabate how to make the most of great sunny summer days whilst protecting our skin from harmful rays. Jane says “The Irish Cancer Society SunSmart program has great guidelines to keep us safe. See below for some useful tips and advice” Ways to protect your skin: Shade... Read more >

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Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes

Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes… Talk to Jane Brennan, your Hay Fever Expert in Donabate Are your eyes itchy, red or watery? Is your throat scratchy? Are you sneezing? Do you have itchy ears, nose or mouth? Do you have a blocked or runny nose? Do you wake up feeling exhausted? Hay fever can cause... Read more >

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NHS Choices - Causes of a Bartholin's cyst

(29/01/2014)

Bartholin's cysts occur when the tube (duct) from the Bartholin's gland to the vagina becomes blocked and a small fluid-filled sac develops.

It's not known exactly what causes this blockage, but some cases have been linked to bacterial infections.

Bacteria can also infect an existing cyst, causing a collection of pus called an abscess to develop.

Examples of bacteria that have been linked to Bartholin's cysts and abscesses include:

  • Gonococcus – usually responsible for gonorrhoea (a sexually transmitted infection or STI)
  • Chlamydia trachomatis – usually responsible for chlamydia (another STI)
  • Escherichia coli (E. coli) – often responsible for food poisoning
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae – responsible for pneumococcal infections, such as infections of the inner ear or sinuses
  • Haemophilus influenzae – responsible for a number of infections, including epiglottitis, an infection of the epiglottis (the flap of tissue at the back of your throat)

As some of these bacteria are also responsible for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia, you can help protect yourself against them by practicing safe sex.