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Traveling North for the Winter? Your Ultimate Guide to Packing a Winter Survival Kit!
Here in Texas, we’re used to mild winters without snow or extreme cold. You might not even own a winter coat! But many Texans travel north in the winter, where you’ll have to prepare yourself and your traveling companions for wind and chillier temps. If you plan to go north for your winter travels, make sure you have what you need!
Depending on where you’re going, you may face snow, icy roads, or a blizzard. If you’re driving, you need to be ready in case you get stuck in frigid conditions. Keep reading to find out what supplies you need for a winter survival kit from your local McAllen pharmacy!
Don’t Forget to Pack These Winter Travel Essentials!
It might feel like the list of things to pack in an emergency kit is endless, but that’s the point! You want to prepare for every scenario. Hopefully, you’ll never need to use these items, but if you do, you’ll be glad you have them! Make sure to pack these supplies to keep you warm, safe, and healthy this winter.
- Gloves
- Stocking hat
- Blanket
- Hand warmers
- Ice scraper
- Snowbrush
- Small or foldable shovel
- Car cell phone charger
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Paper map
- Paper
- Pen or pencil
- Matches or a lighter
- Baby wipes
- Water bottles
And of course, don’t forget snacks! No road trip is complete without some snacks. Include some extra food in your kit, like granola bars, dried fruit, nuts, crackers, pretzels, and jerky.
Don’t Forget to Include a Winter Wellness Kit!
You’ll also want to include some additional items in your winter survival kit to protect your health. In case of an accident, splinter, or dry skin, you’ll want to have your winter wellness kit ready.
- First-Aid Kit – Make sure your kit has bandages, antibiotic ointment, pain medication, fever-reducer medication, disposable gloves, and tweezers.
- Hand Sanitizer – Use hand sanitizer in place of handwashing if you don’t have access to clean water and soap.
- Lotion – Keep your skin protected from any harsh winter temperatures with a hydrating lotion.
- Chapstick – Pack a chapstick for each person on the trip in case of dry, cracked lips.
If you have health conditions that require constant care or can worsen with travel, you can talk to your pharmacist about adding some extra supplies to your winter survival kit. From a diabetes emergency kit to cold medication, your pharmacy will have the supplies you need to keep you and your family healthy on your winter travels!
Check Off Your Survival Kit Shopping List at Saenz Pharmacy!
Before you set off for your winter trip, make sure to have your winter survival kit packed! If you don’t have everything yet, your pharmacist can help you build the kit that works for you and your loved one’s needs.
From medical supplies to ice scrapers and snacks, your Saenz Pharmacy is here to help you stay healthy and safe on your winter travels! While some supplies like gloves and hats are important for everyone, you may have health concerns that need a few extra supplies. Reach out to a pharmacist to find answers to your winter wellness questions today!
Are you heading out on a winter trip? Stop in to your Saenz Pharmacy to build your winter survival kit today!
Learn Proper Handwashing Technique This Handwashing Awareness Month With Saenz Pharmacy!
Germs are everywhere! They can spread easily from one person to another through touch. But there’s a way to prevent catching and spreading germs — washing your hands regularly!
Many people know to wash their hands before cooking or after going to the bathroom. But to successfully stop the spread of germs, you should wash your hands more often throughout the day. December is Handwashing Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to learn the proper handwashing techniques from your McAllen Pharmacy!
Why Is It Important to Wash Your Hands the Right Way?
You may scratch your nose, rub your eye, or chew on your nails many times without even thinking twice about the germs on your hands. When you touch your face or your food and drinks throughout the day with unwashed hands, it’s very easy for those germs to find their way in and make you sick. And rinsing your hands with water or only washing your palms isn’t actually enough to kill off the germs.
Washing your hands the right way can kill off infections and diseases before they make their way into your body! Think of handwashing as your first defense to fighting germs and protecting yourself and your loved ones.
When Should You Wash Your Hands?
It’s important to wash your hands many times throughout the day. You may already have a good habit; however, there may be more handwashing opportunities throughout your day.
- After using the restroom
- Before and after eating
- Before and after taking care of a sick loved one
- After changing a diaper
- After blowing your nose, sneezing, or coughing
- After touching an animal, animal waste, or pet food
- After touching trash
This list could go on, so it’s important to note that the key time to wash your hands is anytime before touching your face, putting anything in your mouth, or touching any surface that could have germs. Make it a daily habit to wash your hands often for the best chance of preventing and spreading germs!
5 Steps to Washing Your Hands!
There’s a right way and a wrong way to wash your hands, so make sure to do it correctly! With five easy and quick steps, you’ll have the power to fight off pesky infections.
- Wet your hands with the cleanest water possible.
- Apply enough soap to cover your hands.
- Rub your hands together, making sure you get your palms, the back of your hands, in between your fingers, and underneath your fingernails.
- Rinse all the soap off with clean water.
- Completely dry your hands with a clean towel or air-dry.
After applying the soap, make sure you’re washing for at least 20 seconds to get any germs off your hands.
What Can You Do if Soap and Water Aren’t Available?
You may be at the gas station, grocery store, or restaurant and need to wash your hands. If you’re in a pinch and soap and water aren’t available, you can use hand sanitizer instead of handwashing. But your hand sanitizer needs to have at least 60% alcohol to be effective in killing off germs.
Stay Healthy This Cold and Flu Season With Saenz Pharmacy!
Infections and diseases are always around us, especially this time of year, with cold and flu season in full swing. Keep yourself safe (and your loved ones) by carefully washing your hands using the right technique.
Always be ready to fight off germs by picking up some hand sanitizer at your McAllen pharmacy! And while you’re there, ask your Saenz Pharmacy team for more help preventing and spreading germs this cold and flu season.
Need hand sanitizer or more tips to prevent getting sick? Get started by visiting Saenz Pharmacy today!
I Need Sleep! Can I Get a CPAP Machine Without a Prescription?
Sleep is extremely important for your body! Sleep not only recharges your body but also helps fight off diseases and increase healthy brain function. If you have a form of sleep apnea, a condition that causes you to stop breathing while you’re asleep, you may not be able to get the deep, restful sleep you need.
If you’ve been having nights of interrupted sleep and daytime fatigue, you’re probably longing for a night of peaceful rest. If this sounds like you, a CPAP machine might be helpful! A CPAP machine blows filtered and pressurized air through a face mask so you can breathe deeply and enjoy a peaceful night of sleep. Keep reading to find out if you need a prescription or if you can buy an over-the-counter CPAP machine.
Do You Need a Prescription for a CPAP Machine?
Although a CPAP machine isn’t a medication, you’ll still need a prescription to get one. A prescription is required because there is much more involved in using the machine than turning it on and slipping on a face mask.
Once a doctor has diagnosed you with sleep apnea, they will write you a prescription with a specific treatment plan that fits your exact needs. That treatment plan will include the correct therapy pressure, device, mask type, and part replacement schedule. For example, you may only need a nasal mask rather than a full face mask, and a prescription will have those details.
Medical equipment is also regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is another reason you’ll need a prescription. CPAP machines are considered a Class II medical device and can only be sold legally with a prescription.
Do You Need a Prescription for CPAP Machine Accessories?
While a prescription is required for the machine, humidifier, and masks, you don’t need a prescription for most CPAP machine supplies.
- Replacement mask parts
- Hoses
- External batteries
- Filters
- Fabric wraps
- CPAP pillows
- Chin straps
If a chin strap breaks or you need a new filter, you don’t have to lose sleep waiting for your next doctor’s appointment. Just waltz into your CPAP pharmacy and find the accessory you need!
How Long Is a CPAP Machine Prescription Good For?
How long your CPAP prescription lasts depends on how your doctor writes the order.
Number of Refills
Especially at the beginning of your treatment, your doctor may give you a limited amount of refills. The physician will do this if they want to check up on you and see if your treatment plan needs any adjustments.
Expiration Date
Your prescription may only be valid for a certain amount of time. This could be because your doctor wants to see you again for a follow-up before giving you more refills.
Written for Life
If your prescription states “ 99 months” or “lifetime need” on it, it’s a valid prescription for as long as you need a CPAP machine.
Pick Up Your New CPAP Machine and Accessories at Saenz Pharmacy!
Getting the right amount of healthy and uninterrupted sleep can make a huge difference in your mental and physical health, and using a CPAP machine can help you get the rest your body desperately needs.
Once you’ve visited your doctor and gotten your prescription, you may wonder where to get the machine and accessories. At Saenz Pharmacy, we’ve got the tools you need! From filling your CPAP machine prescription to stocking up on extra filters and batteries, our CPAP pharmacy team has you covered. And if you have questions about how to use the machine, our team can help show you so you can get to snoozing soon!
Get the Zzzs you deserve! Pick up your CPAP machine and accessories at Saenz Pharmacy today!
Top 4 Benefits of Having a Hospital Bed at Home
They may be called hospital beds, but they have uses outside nursing homes, rehab centers, and hospitals. Medical experts have designed hospital beds to give you and your loved ones some of the extra care and support needed — even at home.
While it may seem odd to have a hospital bed in your house, it could make the difference in your or your loved one’s mobility and health! Find out for yourself by reading below about the amazing benefits and where to find hospital beds for sale in McAllen, Texas.
Hospital Beds Are Adjustable
It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, spending a lot of time in bed can create joint pain, bed sores, and muscle aches. Hospital beds are built with adjustable foot and head sections that help ease the pain and make getting the rest you need much more comfortable.
Raising the head section can make it easier to sit up and read a book, watch a movie, or eat a meal. Elevating the feet section can also help with blood flow and swelling in the legs, feet, or ankles.
The side rails on a hospital bed can also be adjusted. You can raise them all around the bed to prevent a sleeping loved one from falling out of bed, or you can elevate them on only the top half of the bed to provide support while getting up.
Hospital Beds Make Getting Out of Bed Easier
Sometimes people need a helping hand to get out of bed, and using the right medical equipment can make it much more manageable. Hospital beds can be lowered almost to the floor or raised as needed to make it easier for a loved one to stand or slide into a wheelchair.
You can get an electric hospital bed with a remote to raise or lower the bed. A remote control is a great help for those who can adjust the bed and get out by themselves. While you can also raise or lower a manual bed, another person would have to adjust the cranks.
Hospital Beds Are Customizable
Another great benefit to hospital beds is how easy it is to customize them to your and your loved one’s needs! A side table is a great addition to a hospital bed set-up if you’re in bed most of the day or all the time. Eat off it, play games, or use it to hold a book or tv remote. Extra bars, including a grab bar or trapeze bar, can also help you adjust your sleep position or get out of bed.
Hospital Beds Are Helpful to Caregivers
If a loved one needs to move from the bed to a wheelchair or commode, having a big and heavy bed in the way can make it harder for a caregiver to position the medical equipment in the right spot. But since hospital beds have wheels, a caregiver can roll the bed over as needed to make room.
Back injuries are also common among caregivers if they need to help lift a person into or off of the bed. Since hospital beds have handrails and adjustable heights, caregivers can help a loved one stand or slide out of bed without adding extra strain to their backs.
Choose Saenz Pharmacy for Your Hospital Bed Needs!
As you can see, hospital beds are a great benefit to users and caregivers alike, and it’s not hard to find one that meets your needs! At your McAllen pharmacy, you will find a complete line of home medical equipment to choose from.
Our experienced team at Saenz Pharmacy will help you choose the hospital bed and accessories that can make you comfortable. We’ll even help you learn how to use the equipment so you can stay safe while taking care of yourself or your loved ones!
Do you need help finding a hospital bed and accessories that fit your needs? Reach out to Saenz Pharmacy for help today!
A Parent’s Guide for Protecting Your Children From the Cold and Flu!
With flu season underway, it may feel a little scary letting your kids go to school, where other children might be sick and spreading germs. But exposure to all those bugs at school will actually help your children build a strong immune system!
The younger the child, the easier it is for those cold and flu germs to be transmitted. Preschoolers are often sharing supplies or toys that have been in their mouths. Even older children can get sick from classmates who sneeze or cough near them.
You can take some extra precautions so your children don’t miss those important school days, sports, or field trips because they’re sick. Read more from your McAllen pharmacy on how you can protect your children from catching an illness this school year!
What Precautions Should I Teach My Children?
Sometimes the biggest thing you can do to protect your children from getting the cold or flu is to teach them these fundamental principles!
- Cover Their Mouth When They Cough or Sneeze — When children recognize covering their mouths is one way to stop the flu or cold from spreading, they’ll notice it when classmates don’t cover their sneeze or cough and avoid those children.
- Don’t Share Food or Drinks With a Friend — Children often share a drink or take a bite of a best friend’s sandwich at lunch. Teach your children to avoid sharing food and drinks when their friends are sick.
- Use Hand Sanitizer — Show your children how to use hand sanitizer throughout the day, especially if they have to be around sick classmates. You can even clip a mini bottle to their backpack, so it’s always ready!
- Wash Hands the Right Way – You can also teach your children the right way to wash their hands!
- Wash Their Hands Before Lunch – Since your children probably just touched a counter, pencil, or door handle, it’s a good idea to teach them to wash their hands before touching the food they’re about to eat.
While no one can always avoid the flu or a cold, these principles may lower the risk or seriousness of the sickness.
When Should I Keep My Children at Home?
Keeping children at home is okay if they show any signs of sickness. Sending an unwell child to school will only spread the illness or worsen their symptoms. Protect your child and other students by letting them stay home when they’re under the weather.
What Else Can I Do to Keep My Children Healthy?
There are many ways to build up your children’s immune systems! A stronger immune system can help their bodies naturally fight off the nasty germs at school.
- Plan for Healthy Snacks and Meals — A healthy diet can include dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, almonds, garlic, and sweet potatoes.
- Make Sure They Get Enough Sleep — Children between the ages of 6 and 11 need about 9 to 11 hours of sleep each night, and most teenagers need between 8 to 11 hours.
- Make Sure They Stay Active — Getting involved in sports is a great way to stay physically active! Encourage your kids to try signing up for cheerleading or the baseball team.
- Minimize Stress Levels — It’s crazy how stress can really lower the immune system! Keep your children healthy by letting them have fun and relax.
- Keep Up on Their Vaccinations — Having your children vaccinated against the flu or Covid-19 can also help build their immune systems.
Saenz Pharmacy to the Rescue!
Don’t let germs win this school year! Keep your children healthy while learning. And if you need more ideas, we have the answers! From cold and flu relief to vitamins, Saenz Pharmacy has the tools you need to protect your children from this year’s flu season.
Is your child up-to-date on their vaccines or in need of an immune boost? Reach out to Saenz Pharmacy for help today!
It’s National Diabetes Awareness Month, and Saenz Pharmacy Has the Diabetic Tools You Need!
It’s widely known that diabetes affects a person’s blood sugar levels, but it can also impact your skin, healing time, and motor function. With the help of your McAllen pharmacy, you can find the tools you need to help you live a better life with diabetes! For National Diabetes Awareness Month, learn more about the supplies you might need and how we can help you get them!
1. Orthopedic Shoes
Diabetes affects your circulation, causing a build-up of fluid in the feet, ankles, legs, and knees. It can also cause diabetic neuropathy, a type of nerve damage. As you can imagine, diabetic neuropathy is very uncomfortable and could cause an issue with how a person with diabetes walks, stands, and exercises. But wearing the right kind of shoes could make quite a difference!
Orthopedic shoes come in different styles for every occasion, and many designs to fit each person’s needs. Orthopedic shoes are designed with large toe boxes, stretchy fabric, and high arches to help relieve pressure and pain!
2. Insulin, Pens, and Syringes
Some people with diabetes need insulin to control their blood sugar levels. While you’ll need a prescription for insulin, insulin pens, or syringes, you can get your prescription filled at your local pharmacy!
3. Blood Glucose Meter, Lancets, and Test Strips
Most people with diabetes need to check their blood sugar levels regularly throughout the day. You can’t do that without a meter, lancets, and test strips! You can find all of these supplies at your pharmacy!
4. Medical Alert Bracelet
If you have diabetes, you don’t have to wear a medical alert bracelet, but it could save your life. If you pass out from too low or too high blood sugar, and you’re wearing a medical alert bracelet that says you have diabetes, it could speed up the medical response time.
5. Skin Care Supplies
Diabetes affects the skin, making it dry and sometimes scaly. Keep your skin looking hydrated and healthy by picking up some lotions and creams specifically designed to help diabetic skin like yours!
6. Foot Care Supplies
Since diabetes causes a lot of circulation and nerve issues in the feet, it’s important to take care of them! From nail clippers to moisture-wicking socks, your pharmacy will have the supplies you need to keep your feet healthy!
7. Snacks and Drinks
To have a healthy and happy life with diabetes, you’ll need to keep your sugar under control! What you eat and drink plays a significant role in helping you maintain your blood sugar.
You can pick up snacks like nuts, beef sticks, or crackers at your local pharmacy. You can also grab some water, chocolate milk, or juice for hydration or a sugar pick-me-up!
Build Your Diabetic Supply Kit With Saenz Pharmacy!
It may seem like there are a lot of devices and tools you’ll need to live a healthy life with diabetes, but don’t worry — we’re here to help! Keep all your supplies organized by building a diabetes supply kit with everything you need from Saenz Pharmacy! From syringes to toenail clippers, we’ve got you covered.
Some diabetes equipment is more advanced, and you may need to pick them up directly from your doctor. But our experienced team can certainly help you learn how to use them too!
Can’t find the diabetic supplies you need? Come to Saenz Pharmacy for help today!
Don’t Get Tricked: These Medications Look Like Treats!
Many medications and candies look alike, and sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference, especially for kids. Your children may see you take your daily medication and think it looks like a special treat they should be able to have too.
About 50,000 children are seen each year for medical emergencies related to medication overdose. Practicing medication safety is important to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from accidentally taking the wrong medicine or overdosing. Learn how you can keep your family safe with your McAllen pharmacy!
Watch Out for These Lookalike Halloween Candies!
Several medications and candies have similar coatings, textures, colors, shapes, and sizes. These similarities can create a problem if medication is left in an easy-to-reach place or not in a clearly marked container.
Chewable Medications Look Like Candy!
Chewable tablets can be a great option if you have a hard time swallowing pills. They’re especially great for children! But it can be easy to mistake these medications for a candy wafer.
Gummy Vitamins Aren’t Fruit Snacks!
Many children love fruit snacks as an afternoon treat, but they can easily be confused with gummy vitamins. Those snacks can have the same texture and taste as adult or children’s gummy supplements, meaning children might try to eat more than they should. Overdosing on vitamins can have some not-so-pleasant side effects, including an upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness.
Is It a Laxative or Chocolate?
Unfortunately, laxatives look just like chocolate! You don’t want to make that mistake, and you don’t want your children to either! Practice medication safety by keeping laxatives out of kids’ reach.
Antacids: But It Looks Like Gum!
Antacids come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but a lot of them are chewy bits that look like gum or taffy. While good for getting heartburn relief, children may think it’s a treat.
Which Is It? A Tablet, Capsule, or Candy?
Some medications are compressed into a tablet or liquid-filled capsule. If you look closely, they sometimes look like a familiar type of candy, like Smarties or Jelly Beans.
Teaching Your Child About Medication Safety
Even adults can have difficulty telling the difference between candy and medication, so it’s important to teach children about medication safety. Teach your children to only take medication from adults you’ve said they can trust, and to never take medication on their own, even if it looks safe.
Along with teaching our children the difference, we can use something as simple as a lockbox to keep medication tucked away. But a multi-dose packaging option can help too! Multi-dose packaging keeps medicine organized to avoid any accidental overdoses. It also keeps medication secure and doesn’t look like candy wrappers, so your children will be less tempted.
Keep Your Medications Organized With Saenz Pharmacy!
If you’re children accidentally take medication, the best case scenario is usually an upset stomach, but it could mean an expensive trip to the emergency room and days of worry and discomfort. Keep your family safe by making sure all medication is stored in a secure location, and consider multi-dose packing for a quick and easy-to-use alternative! Set up your family’s medication safety plan with Saenz Pharmacy today!
Do you have medication that looks like candy? Keep your family safe and get multi-dose packaging with Saenz Pharmacy!
5 Things You Need to Know About Getting Your 2022 flu Shot
Fall is in the air! The weather is getting cooler, leaves are falling, and pumpkin flavors are everywhere. But with these autumn months also comes flu season. Be sure to help protect yourself against germs by getting your 2022 flu shot! It’s one surefire way to help you stay healthy this winter.
Whether you’re a first-timer to immunizations or committed to getting a flu shot every year, you may be unsure about what to expect from the 2022 flu shot. Before you visit your McAllen pharmacy, find the answers to these five concerns you may have about this year’s flu vaccine!
Which Flu Shot Should I Get?
If you’re under the age of 65, there isn’t a specifically recommended flu shot for you. Whichever one you’re comfortable with, your doctor recommends, or your pharmacist has on hand will do.
There are three flu shots recommended for those 65 years and older, but none of these are considered better than the other.
- Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine
- Flublok Quadrivalent-recombinant flu vaccine
- Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccine
This year’s improved cell culture-based vaccine, Flucelvax Quadrivalent, has been approved for babies six months and older.
When Do I Need to Get the Flu Shot?
You’ll want to get your flu shot before the flu season hits your area. A good time to get the flu vaccine is sometime between September and October. Don’t get caught in the middle of flu season without the proper defense! Keep yourself safe from the flu by getting your shot before the end of October.
If you forgot or ran out of time, it’s okay to go ahead and get it; late protection is better than none.
How Can I Prepare for the Flu Vaccine?
No one likes to get a shot, even if it helps avoid the flu! Before getting the flu shot, drink lots of water to keep your muscles hydrated. When you’re ready to get the shot, relax! If you tense up right before a shot, it can hurt more.
What Happens After I Get a Flu Shot?
After you get the shot itself, you may be thinking about what happens next. The flu vaccine takes about two weeks to start taking effect. You may also feel some mild soreness, tenderness, and slight swelling at the injection site for a day or two.
Can I Get My Covid Shot and Flu Shot at the Same Time?
You’re in luck! If you’re due for a Covid shot (or booster shot), you can get your flu vaccine and Covid shot at the same time — what a time saver! And according to the CDC, it’s safe for children, who are due for both shots, to get the flu and Covid vaccine during one visit too.
Walk-Ins Welcome! Stop by Your Saenz Pharmacy for Your 2022 Flu Shot!
Fall is here, and that means the holidays are just around the corner! You don’t want to miss out on family or vacation time because you got the flu.
Getting a flu vaccine may seem like just another thing to add to your to-do list, but it’s better than getting the flu! The shot is a quick poke and you’re done, but you could be sick for a few days or longer with the flu. Keep yourself and your family safe this flu season by visiting Saenz Pharmacy, where walk-ins are welcome!