Whether it’s a long weekend in Belfast, or an extended sojourn in Bali, the good news is that holidays are back on the agenda. National and international restrictions have been lifted and we are finally free to travel almost anywhere we please.
But while some will be champing at the bit to head for foreign shores, others may be more reticent. People may be nervous about the rules related to travel or indeed about the possibility that travel may increase their chance of exposure to the Covid 19 virus, notes Caoimhe McAuley, superintendent pharmacist with Boots.
“We have spent a long time living through a pandemic with lockdowns and restrictions such that we became used to it as a way of living,” she says. “Therefore, it is understandable that people may be nervous about things now changing again as we move out of restrictions and can travel more freely.”
Before booking a foreign holiday, McAuley’s advice is to look to reliable sources of information such as the Department of Foreign Affairs for travel advice and to the HSE for basic health advice regarding minimising the risk of contracting or getting ill with the disease. “Make sure you have gotten your Covid-19 vaccination and, where relevant, your booster, and it’s also important to ensure that you have easy access to your up-to-date Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate,” she adds.
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Given that most of us hardly left our homes or localities for several months, it’s understandable that for some the thought of holidaying abroad can be overwhelming. Yet McAuley points out that holidays are ultimately good for our health.
“They are a great opportunity to relax, step back and take a break from day-to-day routines and responsibilities,” she says. “Holidays help you unwind, and studies have shown that holidays can reduce the risk of heart disease, improve your mental health and reduce stress. Now that travel restrictions are easing, we have a great opportunity to get a break from our routine and to look after our physical and mental health by taking a holiday.”
That being said, we are all out of practice when it comes to holiday prep, and McAuley advises that some destinations may require more in the way of preparation than others.
“What you need to keep healthy on holiday depends to some extent on where you are travelling to. If you are travelling to a destination that you are unfamiliar with or where you think extra precautions may be required, it is a good idea to have a Travel Health consultation with a doctor such as that offered via the Boots Online Doctor Service (boots.ie/online-doctor). They can advise on vaccination recommendations and malaria prevention, for example.” McAuley says it is crucial to plan ahead as some vaccinations may be needed several weeks before departure. “Ideally, you should try to get your vaccinations six to eight weeks before travelling. If your trip is sooner than six to eight weeks, contact your local Boots pharmacy team for advice.”
More general advice applies no matter where you go. Another must for the suitcase is a basic holiday first aid kit. McAuley suggests that one should contain hayfever/allergy relief, diarrhoea relief and rehydration sachets, heartburn tablets and pain medication.
High-factor sunscreen is another must, especially for those with fair skin travelling to the sun. Using it properly is critical – remember the 5 S’s of sun safety, says McAuley: “Slip on clothing that covers your skin, slop on sunscreen on exposed areas, slap on a wide-brimmed hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses to protect your eyes.” Remember that sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children is recommended; McAuley advises to choose a product with high UVA protection and that is water resistant. “Apply the suncream to all exposed areas and re-apply regularly.”
And just like sunburn can be a painful and unintentional consequence of sunnier climes, so too can insect or mosquito bites. However, as McAuley explains, there are simple things that you can do to reduce your risk of being bitten or stung by insects. “Covering skin by wearing long sleeves and trousers and wearing shoes when outdoors is helpful as is avoiding products with strong perfumes which can attract insects,” she says.
“Insect repellents can be applied to exposed skin and those that contain 50% DEET—diethyltoluamide—are most effective. When using DEET-based repellents be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, do not spray directly on to your face but rather spray into your hands and pat on to the face, avoiding lips and eyes, and ensure you wash your hands after applying.”
For those travelling to a malarial area, she adds, it is particularly important that effective insect repellent as well as any antimalarial tablets that may have been prescribed are in your suitcase. “You may also want to consider investing in clothes treated with an agent called permethrin and to have a mosquito net if you are going to be sleeping outdoors or in rooms that do not have screens on windows or doors. If you have any questions or need advice to help you select the insect repellent for your needs speak to a member of your local Boots pharmacy team.”
For more see boots.ie