Travel and holidays, the decalogue of health

When traveling and in holiday destinations, especially if they are exotic or isolated, small neglected ailments can also ruin our holidays. Let’s see what to do to stay healthy. And beautiful.

When traveling and in holiday destinations, especially if they are exotic or isolated, small neglected ailments can also ruin our holidays. Let’s see what to do to stay healthy. And beautiful.

The holidays are upon us. For months, sea and mountains, wonderful exotic places and lush tropical destinations have populated our imagination: a well-deserved rest after the long, stressful months of work.

To make a trip memorable and not turn it into a nightmare, however, you need to prepare yourself well and not neglect your health.

In fact, holidays are often accompanied by small ailments, such as fever, sunstroke, intestinal disorders, which can knock you out for a few days. And, sometimes, if underestimated they even risk ruining the whole holiday.

This is why it is necessary to leave organized and to keep in your suitcases, together with your clothes, our vademecum with ten precious tips on travel health.

1. The “pharma-case” is essential

It is advisable to prepare a small travel pharmacy for first aid. It must contain antipyretic drugs (paracetamol is perfect), anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs (such as acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs ), antispasmodics (for stomach aches).

And then, an antacid, broad spectrum antibiotics , antidiarrheals (and some laxatives ), antihistamines (to mitigate any allergic manifestations).

You must not forget to include an ointment for burns and an antihistamine, to relieve the pain of insect bites, sunburn and itchy skin, a mosquito repellent, a high protection sunscreen, eye drops, a disinfectant and cotton wool, bandages, plasters, scissors, thermometer and a couple of sterile syringes.

Furthermore, if you suffer from a chronic illness, you will need to bring your usual medicines with you.

2. The health diary is very useful

Fill in a travel notebook with all your health information: in addition to your name, surname, address and telephone number, enter your health card number, blood type, drug allergies or incompatibilities, vaccinations done .

Highlight any health problems (for example, hypertension or diabetes ), your doctor and current therapies (with a list of medicines you usually take).

3. Informed is much better

Do a search on the destination of your holiday: you will obtain information on the prevention rules recommended for travellers.

If you have chosen an Asian, African or South American destination, consult your general practitioner, the Hygiene office or the infectious disease clinics present in the area: they will provide you with all the information on any health problems and will carry out the necessary vaccinations for the destination your holiday (for example, anti-tetanus, anti-yellow fever, anti-typhoid, anti-hepatitis A, anti-malarial prophylaxis).

4. The legs must be moved

If the journey requires long journeys by car or plane, pay attention to your legs: after 4 hours in the same position they will begin to show signs of suffering. To benefit them, don’t keep them crossed; get up often for short walks; rotate your feet and perform ankle movements; use, if possible, inclined platforms or mobile footrests; use graduated compression stockings; spray thermal water on your ankles and calves.

Once you reach your destination, massage them with a cream based on natural ingredients, such as flavonoids contained in red vine leaf extract, escin (horse chestnut seed extract ) or butcher’s broom extract.

And if you go to the beach, walk every day for half an hour along the seashore, with your feet and calves in the water: the natural massage of the waves is beneficial for your circulation.

5. Lots of water, but not freezing

Drink at least a liter and a half of water a day, preferably two, to avoid dehydration caused by the heatwave. The heat makes you sweat a lot and with sweat you lose a greater amount of liquids and mineral salts, which need to be replenished.

Be careful, though: even if your greatest desire under the heat is to refresh yourself with a bottle of ice-cold water, always prefer room temperature water: it will avoid digestive blockages and congestion.

If you go to a country with drinking water problems, remember to put a specific disinfectant in your small portable pharmacy (for example, iodine , chlorinated products or potassium permanganate ).

If you forget, you can disinfect the water by boiling it for a few minutes. Always prefer bottled water, preferably carbonated: carbonic acid has a mild bactericidal effect and is more difficult to alter.

Finally: if you go to a foreign country, especially if far from the classic tourist circuits, eat well cooked food, because many microorganisms do not survive high temperatures, and avoid eating raw molluscs and seafood: salmonellosis and hepatitis A could be behind the ‘corner.

6. Because the sun doesn’t scratch us

Don’t expect to get a tan in a couple of days: if your skin is not used to living in the sun all year round, it undergoes excessive stress and risks burning.

Better to start exposing yourself to the sun gradually, avoiding the central hours of the day and applying a specific sunscreen for your skin type. You can increase the time of exposure to sunlight day by day, without ever forgetting to use protective products.

If, despite the precautions, the skin should burn, use a gel for burns and sprinkle it on the irritated area. Naturally, it will be necessary to stay in the shade for a few days, protecting the sunburned area with a soft and fresh fabric.

If the skin, on the other hand, is slightly reddened, apply an Aloe vera- based after-sun several times a day.

7. Even the head wants its share

Give your hair the same attention you give to your skin. In case of exposure to the sun it is necessary to protect them because the ultraviolet rays affect the structure of the hair making it fragile, with a tendency to break.

Furthermore, the saltiness removes water from the hair, making it dry and brittle. Therefore, after each bath in the sea, it is necessary to rinse the hair with fresh water, to remove the saltiness.

Remember to cover your head with a hat: it will also protect you from the risk of sunstroke. Lastly, remember that the sun’s rays are stronger in the mountains because you are closer to the sun.

8. A focus on the eyes

Don’t neglect your eyes: sunlight, wind and salt can attack them. Always carry good sunglasses with you and if your eyes get red, use decongestant eye drops to relieve irritation: it will remedy burning and tears.

9. Because the holiday doesn’t mark your face

The summer of beauty starts with the face, so you need to give it special care to show off, when you return, hydrated and luminous skin.

There are numerous creams on the market (antiage, super concentrated, regenerating serums) that promise to keep the skin always young and elastic.

In summer, instead of very rich creams, prefer those with a soft and light texture, with extra moisturizing agents to counteract water loss.

Creams that combine hydration with a protection factor from the sun’s rays are perfect: in fact, they are responsible for the appearance of annoying and unsightly wrinkles .

The cream should also be applied to the neck and décolleté. And also protect the eye contour, the most delicate area of ​​the face.

10. Stop annoying (and dangerous) insects

Defend yourself from insects and their dangerous bites. Always keep a repellent in your bag, the spray ones are perfect, to keep mosquitoes away.

If you get stung, use an antihistamine ointment or ammonia stick to soothe the itch , or massage the sting area with ice.

Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.

The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.

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