Surveys show only a small percentage of us knows what to do in a health emergency. Today, in the second part of our essential first aid series with St John Ambulance, we show you how to deal with common health hazards you may encounter on holiday.
No one likes to think they’ll have to deal with a first aid emergency or an accident while on holiday. Yet as these can and do happen, it’s vital to make preparations before you leave home.
The most important of these is to buy holiday insurance that will cover medical care abroad. Most countries charge for doctors’ appointments, ambulances and hospital treatment, and costs can mount alarmingly if you are not insured.
Surveys show only a small percentage of us knows what to do in a health emergency. Today, in the second part of our essential first aid series with St John Ambulance, we show you how to deal with common health hazards you may encounter on holiday
You should also seek advice in advance from your GP on vaccinations needed for foreign countries, and research ways to keep healthy in hot climates and regions with unfamiliar disease risks.
Make sure you are equipped with insect repellent and anti-malarial drugs where needed — and be extra vigilant when it comes to hygiene.
Alan Weir, head of clinical operations at St John Ambulance, particularly stresses the importance of washing hands, avoiding salads that may be washed in contaminated water, avoiding drinks with ice and opting for bottled water over tap water for the same reason.
‘Simple prevention like this can make all the difference to how much you end up enjoying your holiday,’ says Alan Weir.
Don’t forget a travel first aid kit — on the next page of this supplement, the experts from St John Ambulance suggest what to take. And be sure to pack this vital guide to holiday health, compiled by the experts.
VOMITING AND DIARRHOEA
When travelling abroad, vomiting and diarrhoea are most commonly due to contaminated food or poor hygiene. This is often because of a failure to wash hands properly, because meat has not been adequately cooked or because cooked food has been left standing for too long.
In most cases of food poisoning, the food has been contaminated by bacteria, such as salmonella or E.coli, or a virus, such as the norovirus. Vomiting and diarrhoea can occur separately or together, but both cause the body to lose vital fluids and salts.
Remember, dehydration can be a much more serious risk for babies and very young children because of their size.
WHAT TO DO
In the first few hours, let the person vomit or continue to have diarrhoea — the contaminant needs to be eliminated from their body. Don’t give anti-diarrhoea tablets in the first few hours. It is often better to let the stomach bug run its course. Encourage the person to drink regular sips of bottled water or weak cordial to keep hydrated. Ensure everyone else in the party thoroughly washes their hands and does not share towels in order to avoid spreading contamination between them.DEHYDRATION
Drinking alcohol in the sun can make dehydration worse as alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it will exacerbate any fluid loss due to heat or sweating. If someone has overdone it and has passed out drunk, they may develop alcohol poisoning, particularly if they have had a large amount of alcohol in a short time.
This can be a dangerous condition that sends a person into deep unresponsiveness — and at worst can slow or even shut down their breathing, which can be fatal.
Key symptoms, apart from a smell of alcohol, include confusion; flushed face; deep, noisy breathing; a slow pulse; and unresponsiveness. If they are unresponsive, monitor them for a weak pulse and wide pupils that don’t constrict quickly when a light is shone into them.
Drinking alcohol in the sun can make dehydration worse as alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it will exacerbate any fluid loss due to heat or sweating
WHAT TO DO
Get them out of the sun if you can. Cover them with a blanket. Check for injuries, particularly head injuries. If they are breathing normally, but are not fully responsive, place them into the recovery position. Keep checking breathing, pulse and responsiveness. Don’t encourage them to be sick, as this could block their airway and stop them from breathing. For emergency help, call 999 or 112.Vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to dehydration, a potentially severe condition where the body cannot function properly due to lack of fluids.
This might be a particular concern in a hot country where you may already be slightly dehydrated due to the weather.
SYMPTOMS
Confusion Headaches or feeling light-headed Dry mouth, eyes and lips Small amounts of dark urine Muscle cramps Paleness and weakness, particularly in young children and babiesWHAT TO DO
Help the person to sit down. Give them sips of cool, boiled water or bottled water — even if they are still vomiting. Encourage them to rehydrate little and often rather than drink a large glass of water, which may not be tolerated by their digestive system. They can also sip drinks made from rehydration powder. When they are hungry again, offer easily digestible, bland foods such as bread, a banana or a glass of milk.Seek medical advice if:
The person is vomiting blood or passing blood in diarrhoea. The person does not improve after 24 hours. The person has a long-term underlying condition such as inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, diabetes or heart valve disease.SUNBURN
Prevention is obviously key: covering up with light layers, staying in the shade and regularly applying high-factor sunscreen, preferably SPF 30 or above, especially if you are by the sea or in the mountains.
SYMPTOMS
Red skin Peeling or blistering NauseaWHAT TO DO
Cover the skin with light clothing and move out of the sun. Sip water. Cool the skin with a cold, wet sponge. Apply calamine or after-sun lotion to mild sunburn. If blisters develop, seek further medical advice.HEAT RASH
Heat rash consists of small red spots or raised bumps that can cause a stinging or prickling sensation on the skin, sometimes also known as prickly heat.
It occurs when sweat glands become blocked due to sweating more than usual. Although it can appear anywhere on the body, it’s most commonly found on the face, chest, legs and back.
SYMPTOMS
Small red spots or bumps A stinging sensation The condition worsens when exposed to direct sunlightWHAT TO DO
Drink lots of water. Have a cool bath or shower. Do not use perfumed gels or creams on the affected area. Apply an ice pack to the area. Wear loose clothing. Avoid excessive heat or exposing the area to direct sunlight. Seek further medical advice if you are worried or feel unwell.HEAT EXHAUSTION
Don’t travel without health insurance. If you’re travelling in the EU, you can also still apply for a free European Health Insurance Card to cover the costs of any essential treatment while you’re there.
Sign up for email alerts from TravelHealthPro and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to get the latest updates for that country.
Follow @NaTHNaC and @FCOtravel on Twitter to get the latest travel updates and advice.
This is caused by loss of salt and water, often through excessive sweating. It develops slowly and usually happens to those who aren’t used to hot weather or after they’ve spent long periods in the heat.
SYMPTOMS
Sweating Skin looks pale Nausea or vomiting ConfusionWHAT TO DO
Help the person to lie down out of the sun, with their legs raised. Give the person regular sips of water or an isotonic drink to replace some lost salts and sugar. Monitor their responsiveness and suggest they seek medical advice. If they don’t improve, or for emergency help, call 999 or 112.HEAT STROKE
Heat stroke is caused by a failure of the part of the brain responsible for regulating body temperature, so the body is unable to cool down when it becomes too hot.
It could be caused by too much time in the sun, or can occur following heat exhaustion when sweating ceases. Your priority is to cool the person down as quickly as possible and get them to hospital.
SYMPTOMS
Not feeling better after half an hour Confusion Unresponsiveness Temperature over 40cWHAT TO DO
Move the person to a cool place and call 999 or 112. Remove outer layers of clothing. Try to take their temperature. Sit the person down and wrap them in a cool, wet sheet. Pour cold water over the sheet. Keep taking their temperature: you are trying to reduce it to 37.5c. Swap the wet sheet for a dry one. Monitor their responsiveness and temperature until help arrives.1. BURN GEL DRESSING
This dressing — such as Burnshield — is made from foam that is saturated with a watery gel said to dissipate heat from a burn and moisturise and soothe the skin. It may help minimise tissue damage and pain. Apply directly to the burn and cover with a bandage. Available online from £4.20 each.
2. PAIN AND ALLERGY TABLETS
The most common tablets you’ll need in a health emergency are painkillers and anti-allergy pills such as the antihistamines loratadine and cetirizine. As well as dealing with allergies, antihistamines also help with symptoms of reactions to insect bites or stings. Paracetamol is available in most pharmacies from 25p for a pack of 16; antihistamine tablets (which may contain loratadine or cetirizine) are available over the counter from most pharmacies from 99p for a pack of 14.
3. TWEEZERS
These can be used to remove debris such as splinters from a wound, as well as ticks or stings. Available in most pharmacies and online from £1.50 each.
4. PINS
No first aid kit should be without safety pins. They come in various sizes and can be used to secure slings, bandages and dressings. Available in most pharmacies and online from 20p for a pack of six.
5. DRESSING PAD
A dressing pad is absorbent and can be used for most wounds, including lacerations and minor burns. Secure it with tape. It will cushion the area and won’t stick to it, which minimises pain on removal. Available in most pharmacies and online from 16p each.
6. WATERPROOF PLASTERS
Pack a box of plasters, as they will come in a selection of shapes which will be useful for covering cuts and grazes of different sizes. Ensure they are individually wrapped and sterile. Use dressings for large wounds. Available in most pharmacies and online from 39p for a pack of ten.
7. STERILE DRESSINGS
Pack a sterile dressing to cover a wound, help stop bleeding and prevent infection. In case you need to treat a large wound, opt for individually wrapped sterile dressings with a bandage attached. Otherwise, use with a separate dressing pad and secure it with tape. Available in most pharmacies and online from 48p each.
8. REHYDRATION REMEDY
An oral rehydration solution to drink, such as Dioralyte, helps our bodies replace salt and the other minerals we lose with severe diarrhoea and vomiting. Available in most pharmacies from £2.99 for six sachets.
9. SCISSORS OR SHEARS
Pack a pair of scissors — such as Tuff-Kut scissors — that have an angled tip to help avoid cutting the skin by mistake if you are trimming a bandage or dressing. They should also have a serrated blade to cut through materials, including clothing in an emergency. Available online from £2.10 each.
10. FOIL BLANKET
Made from a special polyester film, this foldable blanket reflects more than 90 per cent of the heat that is radiated from the body, to help keep you warm. Use it for treating shock or hypothermia. Available online from £1.20 each.
11. STICKY TAPE
Look for microporous tape as this allows air to circulate to a wound and helps it heal. Use it to hold dressings and bandages in place. Available in most pharmacies and online from 70p each.
12. TRIANGULAR BANDAGE
This is the most useful bandage to pack, as it is highly versatile. It can be folded to make a sling for an injured arm or rolled up to make a narrower bandage. If sterile, it can also be used as a dressing for large wounds and burns. Available in most pharmacies and online from 48p each.
13. STERILE CLEANSING WIPES
These medical wipes are impregnated with sterile water. Use them to gently cleanse a wound before covering it with a plaster or bandage to stop the spread of germs. Available online from 74p for a pack of ten.
14. FACE SHIELD
A face shield — such as Revive-Aid — is a plastic film that provides a physical barrier between the person administering rescue breaths during CPR and the casualty. It has a one-way valve that protects the rescuer from infections or contamination while performing mouth-to-mouth. Place the mouthpiece into the casualty’s mouth and blow into the other side. Available online from 89p each.
15. DISPOSABLE GLOVES
Use
