17/08/2024
🛥 **Holiday Preparation: Pharmacist-Style** ✈️
Even pharmacists need a break! Let’s dive into how a pharmacist prepares for a worry-free holiday: ⛱
- **Travel Health Precautions:**
Before you set off, check if your destination is at high risk for mosquito-borne infections like dengue and malaria. You might be surprised—many places require vaccinations before you travel. Ideally, consult with a pharmacist 4-6 weeks before your trip for travel advice, vaccines, and malaria prophylaxis.
- **Medications:**
Ensure you have enough prescribed medication to last throughout your holiday. Don't forget important alert cards, such as those for lithium, insulin, warfarin, and sodium valproate, along with sick day rule notes. If you’re planning to swim or just want a more comfortable experience, ask your pharmacist about medication to temporarily delay your period. If you anticipate a new romance during your trip, remember to pack condoms to protect against STDs until you're familiar with your partner. For controlled drugs, insulin, or medications requiring cold storage, or liquid medications, seek your pharmacist’s advice and get a certified list of your medications as proof. Also, carry enough rescue medications, such as inhalers, GTN spray, or an epipen.
- **Sun Protection:**
Don’t forget sun protection! Pack sunglasses, hats, long sleeves, and sunscreen with at least SPF 30 (UVB protection) and 4/5 stars (UVA protection). Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight entirely, as sunscreen isn’t suitable for them. Older babies and toddlers should be dressed in appropriate clothing and kept in the shade whenever possible.
- **Insect Bites:**
Bring insect repellent with high DEET, such as patches or plug-in devices. Note that some sprays can’t be carried on planes, so check with your airline. Pack piriton, antihistamines, and hydrocortisone cream to reduce symptoms. Draw a line around the red margin of a bite with a pen to monitor if the inflammation is spreading. If it is, seek prompt treatment with antibiotics. Be aware of Lyme disease symptoms as well. In the UK, pharmacists can now treat insect bite infections without a GP appointment.
- **Digestion Issues:**
Carry essentials like loperamide, Gaviscon chewable tablets, bloating relief capsules, electrolytes, and Enterosgel on-the-go sachets for effective treatment of traveler’s diarrhea. Be cautious with water and ice abroad—opt for bottled or cooled boiled water, and try to avoid salads. If you notice blood in your stool, seek immediate medical attention.
- **First Aid Kit:**
Medical supplies can be expensive abroad, and language barriers can make emergency situations challenging. Pack a first aid kit with plasters, wound cleaning wipes, antiseptic cream, bandages, dressings, scissors, and tweezers.