Holidays are a highlight of the year for many customers, so the last thing they want is an illness or sunburn to ruin their fun. But with the right advice and a little preparation, customers can have happy and healthy travels

Holidays: we research where to go, plan what to do, save the pennies to go away and generally relax and enjoy a fun-filled week or two away from normal life. But there are a few things that can put a dampener on the fun and frivolity, and health-related problems are often top of the list. Being prepared can make a big difference though and the pharmacy team is in an ideal position to offer advice and recommendations so that customers’ holidays go without a (health) hitch.

Be prepared

Customers who are travelling further afield to tropical or less developed destinations need to consider vaccinations to help protect them against certain diseases. The required vaccinations will vary according to which country and, in some cases, which region, the customer is travelling to so it’s important to find out the details of their plans in order to advise them appropriately. Advise customers to have their vaccinations at least eight weeks before they travel. This can be arranged with a GP, nurse or at pharmacies that run travel clinics.

Customers also need to be aware of the malaria risk in their chosen destination, ideally checking four to six weeks before they travel. Malaria is found in more than 100 countries, including many in Central and South America, Africa, India, Southeast Asia and Indonesia. It can cause serious illness and even death. Initial symptoms tend to be flu-like and difficult to identify, but generally include fever, headaches and fatigue. It’s essential to see a doctor immediately if these symptoms occur at any time up to a year after returning from holiday.

By being aware of the risks and taking precautions, customers can limit their chances of getting malaria. Mosquito nets are vital if travelling to malarial areas and they should be impregnated with the contact insecticide permethrin. In addition, customers should take malaria prevention tablets, if required, and finish the course.

Customers can also take measures to avoid being bitten – this goes for all customers, regardless of their destination. Suggest the following tips:

• Stay indoors between dusk and dawn
• Wear loose-fitting, light coloured clothing
• Apply a repellent of at least 20 per cent DEET on exposed areas

The journey

Travelling, and in particular flying, can cause apprehension and minor health concerns. However, self-care and preparation can prevent minor ailments from becoming serious.

Travel sickness

Travel sickness occurs when there is a conflict between what the eyes see and what the inner ears sense, resulting in the brain receiving a jumble of information. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea and vomiting, which are normally transient.

The best medication is selfcare – focus on the horizon, get some fresh air, and reduce head and body movements. Products containing hyoscine, cinnarizine, meclozine or promethazine can be taken before or during travel to prevent or relieve sickness. Customers could also try complementary therapies such as acupressure bands and ginger- or peppermint-containing products.

Fear of flying

One in 10 people have a fear of flying, which can vary from slight anxiety to extreme panic. Mild cases may be relieved by spritzing essential oils in calming chamomile or lavender scents, using flower remedies or listening to soothing music.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, typically in the leg. Being inactive for a prolonged period of time, such as a long-haul flight, can cause blood to collect in the lower parts of the body and form a clot. Symptoms include pain, swelling and tenderness.

Advise customers to stay hydrated and be as active as possible. When seated, they should bend and straighten their legs, and press the balls of their feet into the floor. Compression socks can also be recommended.

Jet lag

 

Long-haul travel across different time zones can disrupt the body clock and cause jet lag. Advise customers to rest well before travelling, and arrange a stop over if possible on longer flights to make it easier to adjust to time changes. Arriving during the day also helps to set the body’s internal clock. Sleeping pills deter the body from adjusting to new sleeping patterns, so recommend earplugs and eye masks to aid sleep on board. As dehydration intensifies jet lag, caffeine and alcohol should be avoided, but customers should drink plenty of water.

Aeroplane ear

Unequal pressure across the eardrum during flying can cause a condition called aeroplane ear. Symptoms include pain in the ear, difficulty hearing and a feeling of the ear being ‘blocked’. Swallowing normally provides relief, so advise customers to suck boiled sweets, or gently breathe out with their mouth closed while pinching their nose. This causes the ears to ‘pop’, which often relieves the problem.

Taking an antihistamine the day before and on the day of travel, or using decongestant nasal sprays, can stop mucus build-up in the airways from causing increased pressure. Pressure-regulating earplugs slow the rate of pressure change on the eardrum, and can be worn just before the plane descends.

Tummy troubles

• Travellers’ diarrhoea affects 20 to 60 per cent of overseas visitors, and contaminated food and water is often the reason why. However, by making sensible dietary choices, this unpleasant and inconvenient condition can be avoided.
• Check whether the tap water is safe to drink and if it isn’t, use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth. Avoid ice in drinks, too
• As tempting as a refreshing salad may be, resist raw fruit and vegetables unless they are unpeeled or safely washed
• Avoid undercooked seafood, unpasteurised dairy products and food that’s been standing at room temperature or exposed to flies, such as open buffets. Street food is generally fine if cooked to order and served piping hot on clean dishes
• Wash hands thoroughly before eating or preparing food. Mild cases of diarrhoea should clear up within a few days with adequate hydration. Antidiarrhoeal medication and rehydration sachets can help ease symptoms.

Getting painful sunburn just once every two years can triple the risk of melanoma

Sun sense

Spending time in the sunshine can brighten up most people’s holidays, but too much sun is damaging to the skin and overall health. In recent years, achieving a golden glow has become very desirable, but it’s important to make sure customers are aware of the risks that come with their tan.

Skin cancer makes up nearly four per cent of all cancer cases and is responsible for 1.4 per cent of cancer deaths, according to Cancer Research UK. “Over exposure to UV rays from the sun or sunbeds is the main cause of skin cancer, which kills more than 2,000 people each year in the UK,” says Yinka Ebo, senior health information officer at Cancer Research UK. “The best case scenario is that you’ll age and damage your skin; the worst case scenario is a cancer diagnosis and, potentially, death.”

Risk factors include being fair skinned, having lots of moles or freckles, regularly using sunbeds, repeated sunburn and a family history of the disease. “Getting a painful sunburn just once every two years can triple the risk of melanoma, the most serious form of the disease,” says Yinka. “If you really want a tan, it’s better to fake it from a bottle.”

SunSmart is a skin cancer prevention campaign run by Cancer Research UK that encourages sun safe habits. Sunscreen is a must. The higher the SPF the better, so encourage customers to use broad-spectrum sunscreens of at least SPF30, and to replace bottles after two years. Customers should also:

• Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going into the sun and reapply every two to three hours, as well as after swimming
• Seek shade between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its hottest
• Remember to wear a hat, UV protective sunglasses and cover up with a t-shirt
• Drink plenty of water. Alcohol is dehydrating and reduces a person’s ability to judge temperature, so it should be avoided during the day
• Keep babies and young children out of direct sunlight

 Heat exhaustion can also be a risk. It occurs when prolonged exposure to heat reduces the fluids and salts in the body, resulting in fatigue. Common symptoms include vomiting, nausea and dizziness. Moving somewhere cool and staying hydrated should see symptoms improve after 30 minutes.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency, and develops when excessive heat exposure means the body can’t cool itself. Symptoms include dry skin, hyperventilation and muscle cramps. Again, staying cool and hydrated is recommended while waiting for medical assistance.

Don’t forget

Essential tablets and capsules, liquid medicines, hypodermic syringes, inhalers, gel packs and medical equipment are all permitted in hand luggage, providing there’s documentation from a medical professional. Medication should be in its original, labelled packaging, with a spare supply in hold baggage. Customers should contact their airline for specific policies.

Also remind customers about travel insurance. This is considered vital, so advise customers to take out a broad policy to protect them and their families while they’re away.