A good travel health preparation doesn’t just prevent misery on holiday — it can prevent serious illness. From motion sickness on the ferry to traveller’s diarrhoea in warmer climates, being prepared means you can focus on enjoying the experience.
Motion Sickness
Motion sickness is caused by a sensory conflict between the vestibular system (inner ear sensing movement), the visual system (eyes seeing relative stillness) and proprioception. Symptoms: nausea, pallor, sweating, yawning, dizziness and vomiting. Susceptibility varies widely and tends to decrease with age. OTC treatments: Hyoscine hydrobromide (Kwells, Joy-Rides) — the most effective OTC treatment for motion sickness. Antimuscarinic mechanism; may cause dry mouth, drowsiness. Take 30–60 minutes before travel. Not for under 10s. Promethazine (Phenergan) — sedating antihistamine with good anti-emetic properties; effective for prolonged journeys. Cinnarizine (Stugeron) — particularly effective for sea sickness; relatively non-sedating. Ginger (gingerols and shogaols) — reasonable evidence for mild motion sickness; excellent safety, suitable in pregnancy. Sea-Bands (acupressure wristbands targeting P6 point) — limited evidence but no side effects.
Traveller’s Diarrhoea
Affects 20–50% of travellers to developing regions, typically occurring within the first week. Usually caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli in contaminated food or water. Prevention: eat food that is freshly cooked and served hot, stick to bottled or boiled water (including for brushing teeth and ice), avoid raw fruit that can’t be peeled, salads and street food from uncertain sources. Probiotics (Saccharomyces boulardii started 5 days before travel) reduce risk by approximately 20%. Treatment: oral rehydration is paramount (Dioralyte sachets); loperamide for symptomatic control when toilet access is limited; bismuth subsalicylate has antimicrobial activity. See a doctor if: bloody stool, fever, severe dehydration, or no improvement after 48 hours.
Sun and Heat
SPF 50+ sunscreen — reapply every 2 hours, immediately after swimming. SPF lip balm. Adequate hydration in hot climates (urine should be pale yellow). Heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, cool pale skin, weakness) — move to shade, cool with water, oral rehydration. Heat stroke (hot, dry or damp skin, confusion, no sweating despite heat) — emergency: call ambulance, cool aggressively.
Insect Protection
DEET 50%+ remains the gold-standard insect repellent for malarial and dengue-risk areas. Picaridin is a well-tolerated, DEET-equivalent alternative. Apply to exposed skin and on top of clothing. Use appropriate-strength preparation for children. Permethrin-treated clothing for high-risk areas.
Shop travel health products at Huncoat Pharmacy. Related: Diarrhoea Treatment, Allergy Guide.
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