Save yourself a headache on your family holiday this summer

The majority of us experience health problems while we’re on holiday: new research from Panadol Advance shows that nearly two thirds of Brits have suffered a common health problem while away such as cold and flu symptoms, sunburn or stomach upsets. These niggles can become both costly and time consuming if we don’t have the right medicines to hand – research shows that three quarters of Brits who have fallen ill miss out on up to four days of their holiday while suffering from the problem.

With almost half of us not prioritising packing the key health essentials before we go, GP and author, Dr Sarah Brewer, has developed a capsule first-aid kit to help families and busy Dr Mums make sure they have the right medicines to hand before they head off on their hard earned summer holiday.

Dr Sarah recommends...

Stomach upsets

Stomach niggles are the biggest problem for holiday makers, with more than two thirds of people suffering from tummy troubles when abroad. For children have rehydration powders to hand for vomiting and diarrhoea. Adults can also use rehydration powders, as well as loperamide, an over the counter medicine which helps to combat diarrhoea.

Sunburn

To help prevent sunburn in children, it’s advisable to have a sunscreen to hand with a sun protection factor of at least SPF30 to 40. For prevention in adults, use SPF16. If you find yourself suffering from sunburn and need to treat it, try aloe vera gel or paracetamol.

Insect bites

Mosquitoes and other local bugs cause bites that can be red, sore and itchy. More than half of Brits suffer from the problem while they’re away so it’s worth keeping an insect repellent to hand to help prevent problems arising. If you find that you or your family have been bitten, use an insect sting pain reliever spray, or 1% hydrocortisone cream.

Headaches

To relieve headaches, paracetamol is an excellent first-line analgesic. It is gentle on the stomach, so suitable for the majority of people in the majority of situations. Depending on your child’s age, give liquid paracetamol. Adults can take paracetamol tablets.

Colds and flu

One in five battle colds and flu on holiday and this often the result of being given a chance to unwind from the stress and grind of daily life. Pack nasal decongestant, paracetamol tablets or liquid paracetamol to help manage your sniffles

Other key holiday health essentials

Don’t forget travel sickness tablets, antihistamine tablets for hayfever and allergies, anti-thrush cream (for mum!) and water purification tablets, unless drinking water is known to be safe. If you have prescribed medications, remember to take along adequate quantities and don’t forget asthma inhalers and contraceptive pills/condoms.

We work all year to enjoy a week or two in the sun, so it’s well worth taking a few simple steps to be prepared for any health complaints that might spoil the fun for you or your family. Always take a simple first aid kit with you on holiday. Plus, stock up with sunscreen and after-sun products and stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Finally, it’s worth checking out any specific medical requirements for the country you are travelling to with your GP at least six weeks before you travel.