THINKING ahead to your long-awaited holiday, the fact you might get ill probably hasn’t penetrated your visions of beaches, swimming, city walks and sun.
But according to a pharmacist, travellers often fall prey to a few common health issues when they jet off abroad.
Feeling unwell on your holiday is the last thing you want but it’s pretty common
From the dreaded ‘holiday tummy’ to annoyingly itchy insect bites, our guess is you don’t want any of these ruining your much needed time away.
Niamh McMillan, pharmacy superintendent at Superdrug, shared her advice for making sure you’re in tip top shape during your holiday and what cheap products can stave off your travel woes.
1. Holiday tummy
Ever spent a holiday cradling your hotel toilet bowl?
Apparently, it not uncommon for those travelling abroad.
According to Niamh, a case of holiday tummy can strike you down when you’re “visiting countries that have lower food hygiene standards, inadequate sanitation facilities, and no access to clean water”, though it can happen elsewhere too.
“A major inconvenience, travellers’ diarrhoea is one of the most common health issues experienced during travel so ensuring your immune system is healthy is important,” the pharmacist said.
To ensure your holiday as relaxing and fun as it should be, Niamh advised you pack some rehydration sachets.
Superdrug’s own will cost you £2.99 and prevent dehydration when you’re suffering from diarrhoea by replacing the salts you’re losing.
2. Insect bites
Many Brits returning from abroad will bear an itchy collection of bug bites on their body as proof of travel.
“Insect bites on holiday can be incredibly annoying and painful,” Niamh acknowledged.
And it’s especially important to avoid mosquito bites this summer, as a breed responsible for spreading several tropical diseases has reached some European countries for the first time.
There are a few things you can do to make sure you’re eaten alive by mozzies or other insects while on holiday.
“Make sure you cover exposed skin if you’re outside at a time of day when insects are particularly active, such as sunrise or sunset, and apply insect repellent to exposed skin,” Niamh said.
She suggested the Superdrug Buzz Off Extra Strength Bug Repellent Spray, which will cost you £5.49.
The pharmacist also recommended you avoid using products with strong fragrances, such as perfume and shampoo, as these can attract insects to you.
3. Irritated eyes
Niamh said: “When on holiday, there are a number of factors that can trigger our eyes to become irritated like the sea breeze, saltwater, sunlight, and even the climate.
“Climate plays an important role in how comfortable your eyes feel,” the pharmacist went on.
“As the temperature abroad is usually much warmer than the UK, the watery part of your tear film may be more prone to evaporation more than usual.”
While your first instinct might be to retreat indoors to an air-conditioned room, Niamh explained that this may not always be the best solution.
“Since air conditioning dries out the air, this change in climate may also cause your eyes to become dry.”
So what are we to do if both the outside and inside can dry out our peepers?
Niamh suggested you grab some eye drops before hopping on the plane, such as the Superdrug Soothing Gel Eye Drops for £3.49.
4. Sunburnt Lips
Most of us know to lather on sun cream when we reach sunny climes to avoid a painful sunburn.
But many of us might forget all about our pout.
“A person’s lips are very sensitive to the sun’s UV rays,” according to Niamh.
“The lips have a thin layer of skin and are one of the most vulnerable parts of the body because they are always exposed to the sun when a person is out and about.”
She advised you always apply a protective balm with SPF in it to your lips at least 30 minutes before going out, such as the Superdrug Lip Balm, which has SPF30 and costs £2.79.
And don’t forget to top it up throughout the day, particularly after eating or drinking.