Latest news with #NisaAslam
Daily Mirror
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Glastonbury Festival-goers issued urgent alert ahead of June 25
With several UK festivals, including Glastonbury, only a few weeks away, doctors warn that a contagious infection is set to spread at events As Britain prepares for festival season, with events all across the UK - from Glastonbury and Wireless, to Reading and Leeds and Latitude - hundreds of thousands are getting ready to pack tents, glitter, and sunglasses. However, many may be unprepared for an unexpected issue: conjunctivitis. GP Nisa Aslam from Goldeneyecare—a line of pharmacy drops and ointments designed to treat conditions such as conjunctivitis, styes, and blepharitis—is urging festival-goers to monitor their ocular health. "Festivals can be a hotbed for eye infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye)," she warned. "Late nights, communal sleeping arrangements, inadequate hygiene, dehydration, and the use of glittery eye makeup and false lashes can create the ideal conditions for eye irritation and infection." But it's not just bacteria that attendees need to be wary of - those with allergies are also at risk. Around half the UK population experiences hay fever symptoms. When these affect the eyes, it's referred to as Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis," the health expert explained, reports Wales Online. "Grass pollen is the most common cause, and peaks in summer, right when festivals are in full swing," she explained. "Itchy, watery eyes are more likely to be rubbed - which increases the chance of introducing harmful bacteria. Dehydration is also common at festivals and that can create dry eyes that make them more susceptible to incoming bacteria and pathogens." Contact lens users are at additional risk. With four million Brits relying on lenses, the absence of adequate hygiene facilities, such as clean showers and lavatories, presents a considerable hazard. "Contact lenses are magnets for dust and grime," Dr Aslam warns. "Wearing them in dirty settings, or failing to remove them after an evening out, significantly heightens the peril of infections." Glastonbury is the biggest outdoor music festival in the UK, and it is set to begin on June 25, 2025, at Worthy Farm in Somerset. Hygiene at Glastonbury Festival can become challenging amidst vast crowds and the outdoor environment. Despite cleanliness efforts by organisers, not all situations can ensure hygiene perfection, particularly in areas like toilets and showers. People often express concerns about long wait times, insufficient facilities, and the possibility of inadequate cleanliness in toilets. Shower availability might be limited, and queues can be quite long. Additionally, muddy conditions, dust, and close proximity to others can squash attempts to remain clean. The Glastonbury Festival's website underlines its commitment to providing facilities like toilets, showers, and hand sanitisers. Despite equipping attendees with ample hygiene amenities, including 850 wash basins, standpipes with quality-tested drinkable water, and hand sanitisers, the sheer scale of the festival and large crowds can make maintaining good hygiene a bit tricky. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring essentials such as wet wipes, hand sanitiser, and portable collapsible buckets for personal washing. On-site food stalls are held to strict hygiene standards to ensure safety. Somerset Council has even pitched in with advice on curbing disease transmission, offering tips on measles prevention and STD testing. Last year, Professor Trudi Grant, Executive Director for Public and Population Health for Somerset Council and Somerset Integrated Care Board, said: "Keeping yourself safe over the Glastonbury weekend is paramount. Most health risks can be avoided by taking simple steps to help protect yourself and others. "Regular good hygiene can help prevent the spread of most germs and infections, and remembering to keep yourself cool and avoid excess alcohol can help keep you safe during periods of hot weather. We are encouraging everyone who attends the festival to take some basic steps to protect themselves and others so they can enjoy the festival and other events safely and responsibly this summer." How to keep clear of conjunctivitis at a crowded event: The NHS says: "Conjunctivitis is an eye condition caused by infection or allergies. It usually gets better in a couple of weeks without treatment. Conjunctivitis is also known as red or pink eye. It usually affects both eyes and makes them: red, burn or feel gritty, produce pus that sticks to lashes, itch and water." To combat conjunctivitis symptoms, begin with cleaning your eyelids using freshly boiled cooled water and a clean cotton wool pad for each eye, gently wiping away any encrusted discharge. Additionally, placing a cool flannel over your eyes for several minutes can provide relief. Avoid wearing contact lenses until your eyes have fully recovered. A pharmacist can provide assistance with conjunctivitis. They can offer guidance and suggest eyedrops or antihistamines to alleviate your symptoms. It's vital for festival attendees to be aware of potential hygiene issues and take steps to stay as clean and healthy as possible. GP Nisa Aslam shares her top five tips to help party-goers safeguard their eyes from potentially painful eye infections without dampening the festival spirit. GP Nisa Aslam's top five tips 1. Don't share makeup The GP advises: "Share the music, not your mascara. Exchanging eyeliner or false lashes is a quick route to eye infections like pink eye." 2. Rethink your lenses "Consider sporting some trendy glasses for the weekend instead. If you must wear lenses, choose daily disposables - and always cleanse your hands before inserting them," she added. 3. Pack a first-aid kit "If you do contract an eye infection, address it immediately." The GP suggests eye drops or ointment that contains propamidine isethionate and dibrompropamidine isethionate - antiseptics (not antibiotics). These aid in inhibiting bacterial growth and multiplication, thereby controlling the number of bacteria causing an infection. 4. Use glitter wisely The GP warned: "Stick to body glitter. Even sparkly or metallic eye makeup should be used with caution, as they contain tiny specks of glitter that can cause irritation that could lead to infection if they fall into the eye. If you wear contact lenses, this could be even worse." 5. Wash your hands Dr Aslam stressed the importance of keeping your hands away from your eyes, especially at festivals. "Festivals aren't the cleanest places," she pointed out. "Avoid touching your eyes, and if you must wipe them, use a clean tissue and bin it straight after."
Wales Online
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Urgent 'pink eye' alert issued ahead of Glastonbury festival
Urgent 'pink eye' alert issued ahead of Glastonbury festival Crowded festivals such as Glastonbury serve as hotspots for bacteria Regular handwashing with soap and water is key to preventing the spread of bacteria (Image: Matt Cardy/Getty ) The countdown to the Glastonbury Festival has started, with over 200,000 ticket holders excitedly anticipating the opening of the gates later this month. From Wednesday, June 25, to Sunday, June 29, the fields of Worthy Farm in Somerset will welcome one of the largest outdoor music festivals in the world. As the UK gears up for festival season - from Glastonbury to Wireless and Latitude - hundreds of thousands will be packing tents, glitter, and sunnies. But there's one thing many won't see coming: conjunctivitis. GP Nisa Aslam of Goldeneyecare - a range of pharmacy drops and ointments to treat conjunctivitis, styes and blepharitis - is warning festival-goers to keep eye health on their radar. "Festivals can be a breeding ground for eye infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye)," she said. "Late nights, shared sleeping arrangements, poor hygiene, dehydration, and all that glittery eye makeup and false lashes create the perfect storm for eye irritation and infection." It's not just bacteria to watch out for - allergy sufferers are also at risk. "Around half the UK population gets hay fever symptoms. When they affect the eyes, it's known as Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis," the health expert said. "Grass pollen is the most common cause, and peaks in summer, right when festivals are in full swing," she added. "Itchy, watery eyes are more likely to be rubbed - which increases the chance of introducing harmful bacteria. Dehydration is also common at festivals and that can create dry eyes that make them more susceptible to incoming bacteria and pathogens." Glastonbury Festival works hard when the event is on to maintain cleanliness in all public facilities Article continues below Contact lens wearers face additional risks. With four million people in the UK using lenses, the lack of proper sanitation, like clean showers and toilets, can be a serious issue. "Contact lenses are magnets for dust and grime," says Dr Aslam. "Wearing them in dirty environments, or sleeping in them after a long night, significantly raises the risk of infection." Glastonbury Festival can pose hygiene difficulties because of the massive crowds and the outdoor setting. Although there are initiatives to uphold cleanliness, the circumstances may not always be perfect, particularly in places such as restrooms and showers. People often express concerns about long wait times, insufficient facilities, and the possibility of inadequate cleanliness in toilets. Shower access can be restricted, and lines may be lengthy. Muddy areas, dust, and close contact with others can complicate efforts to maintain cleanliness. Bacteria spreads more easily in busy and crowded areas According to Glastonbury Festival's website, the event strives to offer toilets, showers, and hand sanitisers. Although the festival provides numerous resources for keeping things clean, such as 850 wash basins, standpipes with drinkable water that is regularly checked for quality and hand sanitisers, the vast size of the event and the large number of attendees can pose a challenge to maintaining hygiene. Attendees can maintain cleanliness by packing wet wipes, hand sanitiser, and a compact collapsible bucket for washing. Food vendors at the festival must adhere to rigorous hygiene regulations. Somerset Council has also shared information on how to prevent the spread of diseases, such as measles, and provides guidance on STD testing. How can you avoid conjunctivitis? The NHS says: "Conjunctivitis is an eye condition caused by infection or allergies. It usually gets better in a couple of weeks without treatment. Conjunctivitis is also known as red or pink eye. It usually affects both eyes and makes them: red, burn or feel gritty, produce pus that sticks to lashes, itch and water." There are several steps you can take to alleviate the symptoms of conjunctivitis. Start by washing your eyelids with clean water. Boil some water, allow it to cool, and then gently wipe your eyelashes with a clean cotton wool pad to remove any crusts (use one pad for each eye). Apply a cold flannel to your eyes for a few minutes to help soothe them. Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause conjunctivitis. This type takes longer to get better. Avoid wearing contact lenses until your eyes have healed. A pharmacist can assist with conjunctivitis. Consult a pharmacist regarding conjunctivitis. They can provide guidance and recommend eyedrops or antihistamines to relieve your symptoms. It's crucial for festival-goers to recognise possible hygiene concerns and take measures to remain as clean and healthy as they can. GP Nisa Aslam offers her top five tips to help revellers protect their eyes from potentially painful eye infections without killing the vibe. GP Nisa Aslam's top five tips 1. Don't share makeup The GP says: "Share the music, not your mascara. Swapping eyeliner or false lashes is a fast track to eye infections like pink eye." 2. Rethink your lenses 'Consider rocking some funky glasses for the weekend instead. If you must wear lenses, opt for daily disposables - and always wash your hands before putting them in," she added. 3. Pack a first-aid kit 'If you do get an eye infection, treat it immediately." The GP recommends eye drops or ointment that contains propamidine isethionate and dibrompropamidine isethionate - antiseptics (not antibiotics). These help to stop bacteria from growing and multiplying, and as a result, control the number of bacteria causing an infection. 4. Use glitter wisely The GP explained: "Stick to body glitter. Even sparkly or metallic eye makeup should be used with caution, as they contain tiny specks of glitter that can cause irritation that could lead to infection if they fall into the eye. If you wear contact lenses, this could be even worse." 5. Hands off "Festivals aren't the cleanest places," Dr Aslam said. "Avoid touching your eyes, and if you must wipe them, use a clean tissue and bin it straight after." Article continues below
