Target Pharmacists Help Guests Conquer Allergy Season

Expert advice and innovative products available at Target Pharmacies across Canada

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 24, 2014 /CNW/ - Target announced today that pharmacists across Canada are available in-store to help answer guests' questions and provide expert advice on how to manage unpleasant allergy symptoms this spring.  Approximately one in four Canadians currently suffer from seasonal allergies and following an extremely harsh winter, the 2014 allergy season is expected to be one of the worst.

For many, the wheezing and coughing has already begun, with the most common allergy symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, watery and itchy eyes, scratchy swollen throat and dry cough. While allergies might make some guests inclined to stay confined to the indoors, a visit to a local Target pharmacist can help sufferers effectively manage symptoms and breathe easier in the months ahead.

"Allergies can often be confused with the common cold, and it's important to differentiate before seeking treatment," says Bowen Chen, pharmacist, Target Canada. "At this time of year, the main allergen is tree pollen, while grass pollens dominate in the summer and weed pollens in the autumn. You can rely on your local pharmacist to be a good resource for helping to manage your seasonal allergies and recommending the best products and solutions based on your specific allergens. Effectively controlling allergies is especially important in preventing symptoms from leading to more serious complications such as asthma attacks. "

Below are some helpful tips and tricks for allergy prevention and treatment:

• Keep doors and windows closed to keep allergens out of your personal space
• Prevent itchy eyes by wearing sunglasses when you're outdoors. Sunglasses are a great way to protect your eyes against pollen.
• Check your local pollen forecast so you can take your medication early, before symptoms start
• Don't go to sleep with unwashed hair. Pollen sticks to hair and clothes, so wash your hair before bed, change your pillowcases often and wash your bed sheets in hot water once a week.
• Vacuum and dust regularly to eliminate buildup of dust and other allergens.
• Regularly bathe or rinse pets that  make frequent trips outside in order  to avoid pollen accumulation in fur
• If allergies require an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen, Allerject, etc) or other medications, be sure to monitor expiration dates and carry on you at all times in the event of an attack

Target helps guests achieve their health and wellness goals by ensuring products, services and expert advice are convenient and affordable. With over 100 Target pharmacy locations across Canada, Target pharmacists are available to help guests find solutions that meet their needs this allergy season. Target also offers a wide range of affordable spring cleaning products to trap allergy triggers and help keep the pollen and allergen counts lower in the home. For more information, including pharmacy locations and hours, please visit Target.ca/pharmacy.

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at 1,921 stores - 1,797 in the United States and 127 in Canada - and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $4 million a week. For more information about Target's commitment to corporate responsibility, visit target.ca/corporateresponsibility.

Image with caption: "Target Pharmacists Help Guests Conquer Allergy Season (CNW Group/Target Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140424_C4940_PHOTO_EN_39592.jpg

Image with caption: "Target Pharmacists Help Conquer Allergy Season (CNW Group/Target Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140424_C4940_PHOTO_EN_39591.jpg

Image with caption: "Target Pharmacists Help Conquer Allergy Season (CNW Group/Target Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140424_C4940_PHOTO_EN_39593.jpg

SOURCE: Target Canada

Tamar Nersesian, Target Public Relations, [phone]
Target Media Hotline, [phone]