Your A-Z guide to staying safe on holiday
MICHELE O’CONNOR offers an alphabetical guide to preventing – and dealing with –those holiday hazards
you’re sensitive to the usual products then A. Vogel Neem Insect Repellent (£5.89, 50ml, avogel.co.uk) contains Neem seed oil rather than DEET.
NMANY young holidaymakers are swayed by the novelty of getting a tattoo or a piercing abroad. But poor hygiene practices in some countries can spread blood-borne diseases, such as hepatitis C, warn experts.
OTHIS is a common infection caused by trapped water providing a breeding ground for bacteria. wear earplugs or a cap that covers the ears, and thoroughly dry your ears after swimming to avoid it.
PCHOOSE your seat carefully if you suffer from travel sickness, advises Dr Dawn Harper, author of Dr Dawn’s Health Check (£14.99, Mitchell Beazley). “If you’re flying, book a window seat near the wings of the plane. If travelling by ship, sit in the middle, facing the direction of travel. In a car, opt for the front or the middle back seat. Then watch the horizon and don’t read.”
If you feel sick, chew ginger sweets, have ginger ale or try acupressure bands, says Ashley Kosciolek.
RIS FOR... NEEDLES IS FOR... OTITIS EXTERNA – OR SWIMMER’S EAR IS FOR... PRICKLY HEAT
THIS sweat rash causes an irritating prickly feeling. Treat it with cool showers and calamine lotion, and stay out of the sun.
■ ... Prescriptions: Don’t forget to bring all you need – plus extra just in case.
QIS FOR... QUEASINESS IS FOR... RABIES
ALTHOUGH rare, travellers returning from Turkey in recent years have required anti-rabies treatment.
“Wherever you are abroad, never try to stroke or pet any animal – particularly strays,” warns Howard Carter, bite prevention expert.
SIS FOR... SUN SAFETY
THINK sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, shoulders and shade.
■ ...Sunburn: Surveys show that Brits continue to get scorched in the summer – at home as well as abroad.
“Most sunburn isn’t serious, but if there are blisters or the skin damage covers an area larger than your hand, see a doctor,” advises Isobel Kearl, national training officer for St John Ambulance.
TIS FOR... TRAVEL INSURANCE
“MAKE sure your travel insurance policy covers all holiday activities – if you plan to go horse riding or bungee jumping, for example,” says Jo Brine, partner and head of JMW’S Accident and Illness Abroad. “And declare any pre-existing health issues to your insurer.”
UPROTECT yourself from skin ageing and burning by applying suncream indoors – in hot sun it can evaporate from the skin’s surface before it has a chance to bond, and therefore becomes less effective. Consider a once-a-day product and apply it twice – morning and afternoon. Ultrasun Family SPF30 (£19, 100ml, lookfantastic. com) is non-greasy and hypoallergenic, so great for sensitive skin.
VIS FOR... UV RAYS IS FOR... VALSALVA
TURKISH Airlines’ resident health expert Dr Oz recommends the Valsalva manoeuvre for relieving ear pain while flying. It is performed by moderately forceful attempted exhalation against a closed airway – usually done by closing your mouth and pinching your nose shut while pressing out as if blowing up a balloon.
WMORE UK children die in pools while on holiday abroad than in pools in the UK, according to the Royal Life Saving Society UK (rlss. org.uk). Many holidaymakers don’t realise how much more challenging swimming in open water can be, even for strong swimmers.
Never swim if a red flag is showing, don’t jump into the water from extreme heights or swim after drinking alcohol. Never leave children unattended near or in water.
XIS FOR... X-RATED
ACCORDING to a recent study published in the BMJ, an increasingly high number of Brits are having sex with strangers when they go abroad.
British people (along with Swedes) are the most likely in Europe not to use condoms on holiday.
Protect yourself against STIS and HIV by practising safe sex.
YIS FOR... WATER IS FOR... YOLO
WHETHER it’s cricket on the beach with the kids or snorkelling in the sea, join in and give it a go... you only live once!
ZIS FOR... ZZZZS
TAKE a decent eye mask – research shows that even the smallest amount of light can disrupt sleep. Earplugs will help block out late-night revellers and hotel corridor traffic.