If you are planning on having fun in the sun? You should make an appointment with a travel health clinic at least 8 weeks before you travel. 

 

Haasengate Travel Clinic, Corringham   01375 641563

Armada Travel Clinic, Grays                   01375 480579

Travel Health UK, Shenfield.                   01277 200169

 

You can also find information on travel needs by visiting the travel website  www.nathnac.org

  

2) Sunburn isn't a good look and poses a real risk to your future health. Make sure you avoid the sun when it's at its peak, (between 11 and 3 during summer in the UK). Remember the two teaspoon/two tablespoon rule. Two teaspoons of sunscreen (minimum Factor 15) to cover head, arms and neck, and two tablespoons to do your whole body (minimum Factor 15), if you're wearing a swimsuit.

 

You will burn more easily in water and wind. Make sure you reapply your sunscreen frequently. Ensure your sunscreen is still in date; once it has passed the expiry date, it will not offer effective protection. If you have children, you should use a minimum of Factor 30 sunscreen for them and use clothing to cover up, if necessary. http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/skin/Pages/Sunsafe.aspx#

 

3) Going on holiday? The NHS fit for travel site has fantastic information about staying healthy while on holiday.

 

4) Wondering how to prevent 'Travellers' Diarrhoea'? Taking basic precautions, such as; avoiding ice in drinks and fruit, vegetables and salads which have been washed, or which cannot be peeled. Also ensure utensils, crockery and cutlery is clean. Take care when eating meat, shellfish, ice-cream and cheeses. You should also consider using alcohol gel/anti-bacterial wipes where access to good hand-washing facilities might prove difficult. You can find more detailed advice here.

 

5) Avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor or the pharmacy while you are away, by taking a basic first aid kit with you. A basic first aid kit should include:

- Plasters in a variety of different sizes and shapes

 -Small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings

 -At least two sterile eye dressings

- Triangular bandages

 -Crêpe rolled bandages

- Safety pins

- Disposable sterile gloves

- Tweezers

- Scissors

- Alcohol-free cleansing wipes

 -Sticky tape

- Thermometer (preferably digital)

- Skin rash creams, such as hydrocortisone or calendula

- Cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings

- Antiseptic cream

- Painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen

- Cough medicine

- Antihistamine tablets

- Distilled water for cleaning wounds

- Eyewash and eye bath

 

6) If you're holidaying in Europe, you should apply for and take an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) with you. This card entitles you to free reciprocal medical treatment in European Countries, and without it, your insurers may refuse to reimburse you if you do need medical treatment. Please note, it does not replace your own medical insurance. Apply here. https://www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card.