A-Z of Great Holiday Health!
Read up on how to deal with problems, then go and have fun
Accidents – the leading cause of death and serious injury among British travellers, says Dr Richard Dawood (WWW.FLEET STREETCLINIC.COM). “They happen regularly on the road, in the water and on hotel balconies.”
BBQs: Cook sausage, chicken and burgers well and evenly until piping hot, with no pink inside – however black the outside! If in doubt keep cooking.
Cuts tend to heal more slowly in the heat, and it is much harder to keep wounds clean and dry on holiday. Change dressings regularly.
Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT): Drink lots of water and walk up and down the aisle hourly on long flights to avoid DVT. Wear compression stockings if concerned.
EHIC: Valid European Health Insurance Cards give you state-run medical treatment in EU countries – and a few others – for the same price as a local. It doesn’t replace travel insurance, though.
Flags: Red and yellow mark lifeguard patrols, safest for swimming; red is for danger; black and white is a boat area. An orange windsock means don’t use inflatables.
Gippy tum: Drink lots of fluid, not caffeinated drinks that can dehydrate, says nutritionist Fiona Kirk WWW.MAKEYOUR DIETWORKFORYOU.COM. Eat banana, rice, apple and toast.
Hotel buffets: Studies show the more choice, the more we tend to eat, so browse first and decide what you really want rather than mindlessly starting at one end!
Jet lag: Minimise alcohol and get into the local time zone as quickly as possible, even on the flight. See the jet lag calculator at WWW.BRITISHAIRWAYS.COM
Kit (First aid): “Never travel without a basic first aid kit that has dressings, antiseptic, pain killers, child paracetamol, a thermometer and cream for bites and stings,” says Shirley Bannatyne, specialist nurse adviser with WWW.MASTA-TRAVEL-HEALTH.COM
Lyme disease: This bacterial infection is spread by infected ticks (tiny creatures found in woodland and heath). Stick to paths, avoid long grass, wear long sleeves and trousers.
Mosquitoes: Keep them at bay by using DEET or Picaridin repellents.
Naked: The most effective way to slather on sunscreen and prevent burned bits! Apply in the privacy of your villa, hotel room or apartment, let it soak in and then put on your swimsuit.
Otitis externa or “swimmer’s ear” is a painful infection. If you swim a lot, invest in ear plugs, says ENT specialist Rosemary Rodgers. Do pack Oral rehydration sachets for diarrhoea and heat exhaustion, too.
Prickly heat – This sweat rash causes an irritating prickly feeling; treat it with cool showers and calamine lotion and stay out of the sun.
Queasiness: Car travel is the biggest culprit. Breathe fresh air if possible; close your eyes and try to sleep; don’t read or watch a film and avoid staring at moving objects such as other cars.
Sunburn: 35% of us sunburned last year. It’s easy to overdo it on holiday. Use after-sun lotions or Aloe Vera, which contain ingredients for sunburn, kept in the fridge.
Travel sickness: Choose your seat carefully, advises Dr Dawn Harper. “If flying, ask for a window seat near the wings of the plane and, on a ship, sit in the middle, facing the direction of travel.”
UR abies: Avoid stray cats and dogs; you can be infected by a scratch as well as a bite. If either happens clean the wound well and seek medical help. Yes! GET OFF YOUR SUN LOUNGER FOR THE AQUA-AEROBICS SESSION IN THE POOL, JOIN IN THE ROUNDER’S GAME ON THE BEACH AND GIVE THAT LOCAL DELICACY A GO. JUST SAY YES!
rine! It’s an old wives’ tale for jelly fish stings, says Isobel Kearl, National Training Officer for St John Ambulance. Pouring sea water or bottled water over the sting will help ease the pain.
Vendors: From hot dogs in NYC to crêpes in France – trust your instincts about sampling the local street cuisine.
Water: Choose sealed bottled water (carbonated is safest) and avoid ice in drinks – the most common cause of traveller’s diarrhoea.
Xenophobia: Try your best to embrace the local culture by finding out about your destination; tasting the regional delicacies, attempting to communicate in the local language (even if it is via a phrasebook!), and seeing the sights as well as resting and relaxing. Read up before you go so that you can plan trips to locals-only hotspots!
Zzzz’s: Pack an eye mask and earplugs to block out early morning sunlight and noise from neighbours and ensure undisturbed slumber on your holiday.