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Holiday Health Guide

25th July 2018

We all like to look and feel our best for a holiday and the worst thing is falling ill whilst away from home, so Superdrug have put together a guide to everything you need to know for a safe and enjoyable holiday this year in this week’s blog.

Vaccinations

Before flying abroad, especially when travelling to the Far East and Asia, check which vaccinations you’ll need to have to protect you against any diseases you might not have come across before.

The following travel vaccinations are usually available for free on the NHS to prevent any serious illnesses you might encounter on your travels:

  • Diphtheria, Polio and Tetanus (combined booster)
  • Hepatitis A – including when combined with Typhoid or Hepatitis B.
  • Cholera

Specialist travel clinics will also other these vaccinations as well as others including Yellow Fever, Rabies and Typhoid.

On the Plane

The air in an aircraft cabin is far drier than when on the ground so your face and body is likely to become dehydrated quicker. If you can face the flight without makeup it will do your skin the world of good.

Alternatively, if you can’t go bare faced swap your foundation for a tinted moisturiser, BB or CC cream or consider a hydrating facial spritz that can be sprayed over makeup for a boost of moisture.

If you’re on a long-haul flight, travel socks are recommended as they’ll help to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and leg discomfort during the fight. Put them on as soon as you sit down on the plane or even when you’re waiting at your gate to board your flight.

It’s also important to keep yourself moving throughout the flight. Take frequent walks up and down the aisle every hour to help circulation.

Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the flight to keep you hydrated. Did you know that one alcoholic drink will affect your body exactly the same as two or three drinks on the ground? So be mindful with the booze and drink lots of water in between snacks and meals.

In the Sun

Whether you’re jetting away to somewhere exotic or having a lovely staycation in the UK, having the right sun protection is always important.

Even if you’re sitting under a sun umbrella on the beach or sitting under a tree in a park, the ultraviolet radiation is still able to reflect off surfaces such as sand, water, grass and bounce onto your skin.

Layering up with SPF with a factor of 15 or higher is recommended as SPFs do a great job of protecting against UV rays and preventing sun burn.

Sun protection creams or sprays last around an hour on the skin, as UV rays begin to break down the ingredients in SPFs which is why it’s important to top up on sun protection regularly.

A good lip balm with SPF15 or more is recommended to protect and nourish your lips from the effects of the sun.

It’s not just skin you should protect from the sun. Your eyes need protection too as sun damage to the eyes can occur anytime.

Wear sunglasses that block UV rays and hats that will shade your face from the sun.

Food Poisoning

The last thing you need is for your holiday to be ruined by sickness. Always wash your hands with soap and water before eating or drinking anything, to kill any bacteria that your hands may have picked up from outside.

A good antibacterial hand sanitizer is always handy to carry in your handbag too.

Avoid drinking tap water in other countries, stick to bottled water instead. This goes for ice in drinks too, avoid it. With foods, opt for freshly cooked dishes that have been served steaming hot.

These simple precautions will help to prevent any illness whilst away, allowing you to enjoy your holiday to the max.

Mosquitos

Mosquitos are difficult to avoid when visiting a hot and humid country but there are ways to prevent being bitten repeatedly.

An insect repellent which is made to last up to 12 hours is highly recommended. Spray all over your body before getting dressed.

If you happen to get bitten whilst away, apply antihistamine cream to the affected areas as this will calm the reaction down, allowing you to feel comfortable and enabling you to continue enjoying your holiday.

For holiday health and beauty products to ensure you’re protected this summer getaway, head to Superdrug in Garden Square!