Is This Your First Time in the Tropics?

THERE MIGHT BE ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS EXTERNAL TO PEOPLE RELATED TO PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL, AND

BIOLOGICAL ELEMENTS THAT MIGHT HAVE CERTAIN INFLUENCE ON TRAVELERS. EXCELENCIAS MAGAZINE OFFERS SOME RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WOULD HELP YOU PRESERVE YOUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

There may be environmental reasons external to people related to physical, chemical, and biological elements that might have certain influence on travelers. While visiting other countries, you may experience abrupt changes in environmental conditions —altitude, sudden variations of heat and humidity, unusual exposure to the Sun's ultraviolet rays, animal or insect bites, etc…, which can really affect your health and well-being.

As we have seen, there are many elements in the environment that if we do not know or handle properly, may affect

our health and the travel plan. Besides, it will have added consequences in your economy for sure. There is a wide list of recommendations to minimize or avoid each of them:

» Travelers unfamiliar with great heights should avoid direct trips to very high altitudes. If possible, they need to do a two-or-three-nights stopover to settle down. Those with history of heart, lung disease, or anemia, should seek medical advice first.

» For sudden variations of heat and humidity, it is vital to maintain a proper liquid consumption with high mineral content. Adding a small sample of salt in meals and beverages (if no warnings), may help preventing unbalance, particularly in adjustment periods. It is advisable to take a shower on daily basis before sleeping, wear baggy cotton clothes to avoid rubbings that can lead to infections, and apply talcum powder in sensitive areas to avoid skin infections common in this kind of environment.

» In case of injuries caused by the Sun's ultraviolet rays, you must avoid exposure to the Sun when the intensification of solar ultraviolet radiation reaches its peak hours. Moreover, travelers must wear clothes covering legs and arms as well as proper sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and sunscreen lotion when exposure is unavoidable as in the beach or outside swims.

» Risks derived from food and drink poisoning are reduced if we drink cold, bottled beverages hermetically sealed. Raw food must be avoided, except from fruits and vegetables. If not, they must be cooked well in reliable places.

» You must take with you oral

rehydration salts and water disinfectants as both are the best solution for diarrhea. If diarrhea lasts more than three days with frequent bowel movements, repeated vomits, fever, or blood in feces, you must seek medical advice.

» The threats of bathing in contaminating waters are reduced when you do not dive in water contaminated by wastewater. Avoid by all means to swallow water in any watering place. » Animals can become a problem if you come into contact with pets in areas where rabies exists, or with wild animals in captivity. It is paramount to get information on the possible presence of snakes, scorpions, spiders in visited areas, and not walking barefoot or open-toed sandals in areas where you can find any of them. Hence, you should wear boots or closed shoes and long pants. Besides, you must be extremely cautious when you go out at night. Take a closer look to you clothes and shoes before wearing them.

» On disease-carrying vectors, it is essential to apply bug spray on skin or clothes. To protect feet, boots with high socks in hours where insects are more active must be worn. Besides, Espirales (Insecticide atomizers) must be sprayed in the room before bedtime. Other solution may be the use of a mosquito net.