Common Complaints
Abdominal pain - can be simply due to the unaccustomed nature of
foreign food, especially when wine is taken liberally by persons
unused to it. Antacids, such as Milk of Magnesia tablets and Actal
Tabs, are a reliable standby, and avoiding wine for 24-48 hours will
frequently allow the “abdominal crisis” to settle. If the pain is more
severe or persistent, medical advice should be sought.
Abrasions and cuts - should be well cleaned of all dirt and dressed with
lint, gauze or elastoplast. The precaution of being immunised by
injection of tetanus-toxoid cannot be over-emphasised but to be
effective the first of two injections must be done at least six weeks
before departure.
Bites and stings - can be a nuisance, painful and potentially lethal! A
good insect repellent is essential if the interest of one’s new
surroundings is not to be ruined by a pestilence of insects. These can
be of pure nuisance value, or the carriers of serious infectious
diseases, eg Malaria and Yellow Fever, or give infected wounds
directly, or indirectly by scratching. Insect repellent needs to be
reapplied regularly especially after bathing or when perspiring
profusely. Insect repellents containing DMC (dimethyl carbonate) or
DEET (N. diethyl-m-toluamide) are the most effective. Insects tend to
be the most active between the hours of dusk and dawn and during
these times clothing to cover most of the body should be worn if it is
necessary to be outside. Mosquito screens on windows and mosquito
nets over beds should also be utilised if available. Following snake bite
medical advice should be sought immediately.(An accurate description
of the snake is important.)
Colds and flu - may catch the unprepared traveller unawares and the
precaution of including symptomatic remedies such as aspirin,
codeine or paracetamol tablets and disposable handkerchiefs are well
worthwhile, since they may be handy for other purposes.
Z Drive, Leaflets 2009, Travel
06/01/09
Corns and rubbed feet - are inevitable for those not used to walking
long distances and extremely inconvenient. Sore feet can be rubbed
with surgical spirit at night. This hardens the skin and enables it to
withstand the rigours of the following day. (Scholl’s footspray is also
useful.) There is no substitute for good fitting, comfortable, walking
shoes or boots, and soft and absorbent wool socks. A box of large
plasters for heels, Scholl’s Foam Cushion Pads, “Heel Pillo” heel
protectors and a pad of lint held on by sticking tape may be
invaluable. Actual corns of the toes should be encased in felt corn
plasters to eliminate rubbing and abrasion. Any athlete’s foot
infection should be cured before departure, since heat and moisture
will severely aggravate a latent infection. (Tinaderm or Mycil, powder
or cream, can be bought at any chemist without a prescription.)
Earache - especially after swimming and after flying, can be a painful
nuisance. Warm olive oil drops and cotton wool plugs often alleviate.
A teaspoon dipped in very hot water will soon warm olive oil placed
in the spoon and reach a comfortable temperature after a minute or
so and the oil can then be dripped into the ear. Aspirin (or
Paracetamol) tablets 2 every four hours will help considerably. If you
are prone to ear infections, insert a small cotton wool plug, dipped in
Vaseline, before swimming (but do not forget to remove it!). If any
symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, or if you develop a
discharge from your ear you should seek medical advice.
Fever - feeling ill and off colour can be transient and may be due to a
variety of self-limiting conditions. A true fever lasting 24 hours or
more indicates the need for medical aid, unless the problem is
obviously a common cold. If you are away from medical help and
have obtained a supply of antibiotics, persistent fever with persistent
earache, “gum-boil”, cough producing green mucus, pain with or
without blood on passing urine, plus urinary frequency, and severe
skin infection are instances where it would be reasonable to start
taking the antibiotic as prescribed by the doctor.
Muscular strains and cramps - climbing and long walks, especially if
carrying heavy rucksacks, inevitably produce sore muscles which will
be eased considerably by massage. Cramp is dangerous and everyone
is aware of the hazard of swimming soon after a large meal, but one
particular aspect of hot climates is worthy of mention, namely, salt
loss through sweating. It is a good tip to take plenty of salt at every
opportunity with meals and the picnic pack should always contain a
packet of ordinary table salt.
Over indulgence - in wine and alcohol will bring just retribution. A
popular European remedy for the hangover is Fernet-Branca,
obtainable in all bars. It is bitter and unpleasant but effective in
dispelling the near-death feeling next morning.
Pain - from any cause can strike unawares. It would be foolhardy not
to include a bottle of Aspirin in the rucksack. (Paracetamol for those
patients who have had previous stomach upsets.)
Prickly heat - is an irritation of the skin due to blocked sweat glands blocked either by sunburn creams or talcum and is relieved by the
application of surgical spirit, aftershave lotion, or calamine, which
dissolves the plugs in the pores or soothes the itch. Increase fluid
intake and salt in food. Swim and shower frequently. Wear light,
loose cotton clothing and avoid exertion.
Sexually transmitted disease (STD) - if in doubt, don’t! The more exotic
the location, the more exotic and resistant to simple treatment does
sexually transmitted disease become. If you do, use a sheath or
diaphragm, then wash or douche and pass urine afterwards. A check
up at an STD clinic on your return is a good idea, especially for
females as many STDs may not give symptoms and only reveal
themselves years later as sterility. NB - even after treatment for STD
abroad a visit to the STD Clinic on your return is highly
recommended. NNB - don’t be tempted in Central Africa - AIDS is
common in both sexes.
Sprains - a sprained ankle for a hiker is ruinous but the provision of
either 4” wide Elastoplast bandage or a crepe bandage will save the
day. The risk is minimised by the wearing of suitable boots.
The best First Aid treatment for a sprain or strain is immersion or
bathing in water as cold as possible, elevation, and bandaging firmly.
If thus treated, plus the methods mentioned above, early mobilisation
should be possible and indeed is advisable within the limits of pain.
If movement is impossible, or, in the case of a leg injury, weight
cannot be borne on that limb, it is likely that there is a more serious
injury and medical aid should be sought.
Sunburn - must be prevented. The sunbather should time his or her
exposure to start with 15-30 minutes on the first day, increasing
gradually. If you exceed this you will suffer unbearably. Sun-tan
protection preparations should be used by all. These preparations are
classified according to the SPF (sun protection factor) and there are
many brands now sold in a variety of SPF strengths, e.g. AmbreSolaire, Spectraban, Piz-Buin (these are usually less expensive to buy
on the Continent than in the UK). Suitable SPF factors range from 2-8
for people who tan easily to 10-30 for very fair skinned people.
Sunstroke and heat stroke - affects as a sick dizzy headache and dry
burning skin. Aspirin, cool shade, drinks of innocuous quality such as
peppermint tea infusions or fruit juices or salty water and bathing the
skin and forehead with a flannel soaked in cold water often suffice to
produce recovery. Salt intake, as mentioned above, is one precaution,
sensible gradual exposure and the consumption of liberal drinks of
innocent fluids and fruits, such as melons or peaches, are other
precautions. The bottle of Perrier or Vichy water is a better provision
than a litre of wine for the mid-day picnic in the hot south. Like
Somerset Maughan’s characters - save the liquor until after sundown.
Tooth cavity - a filling may come loose while abroad and proprietary
dental kits which contain temporary filling material and the
equipment to use it may be bought at chemists’ or travel shops which
makes a useful temporary stop to enable you to wait for your return
to the UK for permanent repair.
Travel sickness - the chemist can offer a wide variety of specific
preventions - amongst the best are Kwells, Stugeron - but often merely
staying on deck, or not laying into duty-free liquor is a sensible
prevention. Any drug, to be effective, must be taken at least one hour
before departure time, but all are best avoided by car drivers.
NB - if you are taking any form of medication regularly, ensure that
you have adequate supplies to last you for the duration of the journey.