The first truly hot day hit us last week, and like clockwork, my pharmacy counter turned into summer central.
There was Mrs. Patel with her sunburn, the Rodriguez kids with their seasonal allergies flaring up, and poor Mr. Gianopolis discovering his last year’s EpiPen had expired just as bee season kicks into high gear.
After 17 years behind the counter at our Lakewood pharmacy, I’ve seen every summer health emergency you can imagine.
The good news? Most are completely preventable with a little preparation.
The Memorial Day Pharmacy Rush
Pharmacy Can Assist With Summer Seasonal Allergies
Every year, the Saturday before Memorial Day weekend brings the same frantic customers:
“My son’s camp physical is Tuesday and we just realized he needs updated vaccinations!”
“We’re heading to the Shore tomorrow and I forgot to refill my prescription!”
“Do you have anything for poison ivy? We were clearing the yard and…”
Let’s avoid that last-minute panic. Here’s your neighborhood pharmacist’s guide to getting summer-ready while everyone else is still thinking about spring cleaning.
The Medicine Cabinet Overhaul
Take 20 minutes this weekend to pull everything out of your medicine cabinet and check expiration dates. I just did this with my own family’s supplies and found eye drops from 2022 and children’s Benadryl that expired last fall.
Pay special attention to:
Epinephrine Injectors: If someone in your family has severe allergies, check those EpiPen or Auvi-Q expiration dates now. They typically last 12-18 months, and trust me—they’re something you want working at full strength when you need them. With current shortages, getting replacements can take time, so don’t wait.
Antihistamines: Benadryl and other allergy medications might still work past their expiration date, but they gradually lose potency. With pollen counts in Ocean County already hitting “high” on the scales, you want these working at full strength.
Sunscreen: Last year’s leftover sunscreen is probably fine if it’s been stored properly, but check for separation or odd smells. And honestly, if the bottle is mostly empty, just start fresh—most people don’t use nearly enough for proper protection anyway.
Beyond the Basics: What Shore Families Actually Need
Standard first aid kits are fine for paper cuts, but Jersey Shore summers throw unique challenges our way:
The Jellyfish Kit: If your family spends time at Point Pleasant or Seaside, keep white vinegar in your beach bag. It deactivates jellyfish stingers better than anything else, despite what your uncle might tell you about other remedies. (And no, don’t pee on it—that’s just adding insult to injury.)
Tick Tools: Our wooded areas in Ocean and Monmouth counties are tick heaven. Fine-pointed tweezers are essential for proper removal. I keep a tick removal kit in our car, bathroom, and beach bag because finding one at 9 PM when you discover a tick on your kid is surprisingly difficult.
Poison Ivy Prep: The three-leaf menace grows everywhere around here. Tecnu wash works if you use it within a few hours of exposure. Once the rash appears, you’ll want calamine lotion and possibly prescription-strength steroid cream for severe cases.
Medication Management in Summer Heat
Mrs. Abramson learned this lesson the hard way last July when she left her insulin in the car while at a family picnic. Many medications destabilize in extreme temperatures:
Heat-Sensitive Meds: Insulin, many liquid antibiotics, and certain heart medications degrade quickly in hot cars. Never leave prescriptions in your vehicle during summer errands.
Vacation Planning: If you’re heading to the Shore for more than a day trip, talk to us about proper medication storage. Some meds need refrigeration, while others just need to avoid extreme heat. We can help with travel containers and cooling solutions.
Mail-Order Warning: Those prescription delivery services are convenient until summer heat holds your medicine hostage in a mailbox or on a porch for hours. Consider switching to in-person pickup during the hottest months.
The Pharmacy Services You Didn’t Know About
Your local Lakewood pharmacy offers summer-specific services that could save your vacation:
Vacation Prescription Fills: Most insurance plans offer “vacation overrides” that allow early refills when you’re traveling. But this typically requires 48-72 hours’ notice for approval. Plan ahead rather than discovering you’re short on medication while three hours from home.
Travel Vaccinations: Planning a more exotic getaway? Many independent pharmacies now offer travel health consultations and vaccines. We can tell you what you need for that Caribbean cruise or European adventure.
Compounding for Summer Problems: When my daughter developed both a nasty ear infection and swimmer’s ear last summer, our pharmacist compounded a specialized drop that addressed both issues while still being waterproof. Chain pharmacies rarely offer this service.
Sunscreen: What Your Pharmacist Actually Uses
As someone who’s read every study and tried every brand, here’s my honest advice:
The best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually use correctly. That means:
- Applying enough (most people use 1/4 to 1/2 of what’s needed)
- Reapplying every two hours
- Covering often-missed spots like ears, feet, and scalp
For my own family, I’ve found spray sunscreens convenient but inadequate when used alone. We use cream for the first application and spray for reapplication. And yes, SPF 30 is fine if applied correctly—going higher offers minimal additional protection but often creates a false sense of security.
Summer Health on a Budget
With inflation hitting everyone hard, here are my pharmacist-approved money-saving tips:
Store Brands That Actually Work: For basic summer essentials like sunscreen, antihistamines, and anti-itch creams, many store brands are manufactured in the same facilities as the name brands. At our pharmacy, the store-brand loratadine (generic Claritin) is literally identical to the name brand but costs 60% less.
FSA/HSA Reminder: Remember that sunscreen, bug spray with DEET, first aid supplies, and many OTC allergy medications are FSA/HSA eligible. Use those pre-tax dollars!
Prescription Savings Programs: For maintenance medications, ask us about manufacturer savings cards. Many of our Lakewood customers save 70-80% on their regular prescriptions using programs most pharmacies don’t proactively mention.
Your Pre-Summer Pharmacy Checklist
Before the season kicks into full gear, stop by your local pharmacy for:
- A medication review to check for summer-specific concerns
- Vaccination updates for camp, travel, or general protection
- Personalized recommendations for your family’s specific summer plans
Don’t wait until the sunburn is already blistering or the poison ivy is spreading. Like most health issues, prevention and preparation make all the difference.
After nearly two decades serving our Lakewood community, I’ve seen how a little planning can be the difference between a summer spent enjoying everything the Jersey Shore has to offer and one spent nursing preventable health issues. Stop by, say hello, and let’s make sure your family is ready for whatever this summer brings.
