There’s a lot for travellers to think about before a holiday, from buying new clothes to getting the best exchange rate, but knowing what to do if illness strikes should be top priority, says the NPA

We have spoken previously about the role that pharmacy teams play in advising travellers about malaria prophylaxis, but they can also provide essential advice and treatment options for other common ailments, should customers become ill while they’re abroad.

Sunburn 

Sunscreens work by absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and those with an SPF of over 30 and a star rating of four or five offer most protection. Travellers should be advised to apply sunscreen liberally before going out in the sun and to reapply it every couple of hours. They should also try to stay in the shade when the sun is at its strongest (between 11am and 3pm). 

If sunburn does occur, customers should cover the area immediately and seek shade to prevent further damage. A cool shower or a cold compress can also help. Emollients should be applied to relieve symptoms and customers should ensure that they are adequately hydrated. Simple analgesics can be recommended to ease any pain. 

Travel sickness

In order to prevent travel sickness, customers should make sure there is good ventilation and try to keep motion to a minimum by sitting in the front of a car or in the middle of a boat. Avoiding alcohol or heavy meals before and during travel may also be beneficial. Travel sickness treatments are best taken before a journey. Some may cause drowsiness, so customers should be advised to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery. 

Traveller’s diarrhoea

Consuming contaminated food or water can cause traveller’s diarrhoea. Symptoms may also include vomiting, abdominal pain and fever. Customers should be advised to keep hydrated and use rehydration sachets. Antidiarrhoeal medicines such as loperamide can also be taken. Customers with underlying health conditions, pregnant women and children should be referred to the pharmacist. To prevent traveller’s diarrhoea, advise customers to wash their hands thoroughly before preparing and eating food and to avoid foods or water which may contain germs (e.g. tap water, eggs and shellfish).

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) 

This occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the body’s deep veins and obstructs blood flow and often develops after a period of inactivity, such as a long flight. Some people are at a higher risk due to factors such as older age, being overweight or smoking. When on a long journey, travellers should do leg and calf exercises or try to walk around regularly, and drink plenty of fluids. For those at higher risk, compression socks may also help.