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As a seasoned traveler, you are prepared for
most contingencies and possibly even a sudden,
major medical problem during your travels. But do
you expect that an insect bite or simple rash
could spoil a much-anticipated holiday or that
all-important business trip?
Learn all about how to prevent, identify and
treat common skin ailments.
Bedbugs can be very common, especially
in places where hygiene standards are not high.
Itchiness during sleep and flecks of blood on the
bed linen are bedbug giveaways. The good news is
that these bugs do not normally transmit nasty
diseases and the bites can be treated relatively
easily. Apply a skin cream containing Crotamiton
or another anti-inflammatory agent. Spraying your
mattress with insecticide a few hours before
sleeping should reduce your bedbug risks!
Fleas are known to transmit the plague
in some Asian regions and therefore need to be
avoided if possible. These bites will normally
bleed in the center after a six-day silent
incubation period. Applying an antiseptic cream is
useful, but check with a physician if you are in a
plague-risk area. The respiratory type of plague
is highly contagious and best treated with strong
antibiotics at an early stage.
Tick bites can often go unnoticed and
can cause Lyme disease or other potentially
serious infections. The best approach is to
minimize the likelihood of tick bites and keep a
close eye on any bites that occur. When traveling
in tick-prone areas, apply insect repellent to
clothing seams and exposed skin and wear long
sleeve shirts and pants. Tuck your pants legs into
your socks and keep your feet fully covered. Walk
in the center of trails and avoid walking through
tall grass. After a day in the outdoors, shower
and check yourself for ticks.
Ticks will attach themselves to your skin and
can be removed by applying a solvent like kerosene
or methylated spirits to the tick's body (or the
end of a lighted cigarette to its tail area).
Twisting or squeezing is not recommended, as the
head often remains embedded. Once the tick is
removed, wash the area and apply antiseptic cream.
Tick removal within 24 hours significantly reduces
the transmission of disease.
Should the bite area become infected or should
you experience rash, swelling or random aches and
pains, consult a doctor immediately. Lyme disease
can be treated with antibiotics and is best
identified early.
Scabies is perhaps the most common
problem in Asia for backpackers who choose to live
like or with indigenous populations. Scabies is an
infectious disease that is transmitted by an
insect that burrows under the top layers of the
skin. Early symptoms include extreme itchiness and
the appearance of gray raised ridges, which
resemble I scratch marks. These can be up to 1.5cm
long. The itchiness can be alleviated with
Crotamiton or Calamine ointments. It's best,
however, to see a doctor for a prescription
remedy.
Mosquitoes pose serious risks to
travelers - they are carriers of Malaria, Dengue
and other viruses. These diseases transmitted by
mosquitoes are usually characterized by prolonged
high fevers, headaches, muscle aches and chills.
The best advice is to prevent being bitten. When
traveling to high-risk areas take Malaria
prophylaxis before, during and after your journey
in accordance with your doctor's recommendations.
Avoid being outdoors, if possible, from dusk until
dawn when female mosquitoes that may be carrying
malaria parasites usually feed. Use mosquito nets
and apply insect repellent to any exposed areas.
Wear light-colored clothing that covers most of
the body if possible. Should you experience
symptoms of fever, headache or muscle aches, seek
medical treatment as soon as possible.
Bites from bees, wasps, scorpions and spiders
can be serious. Contact a doctor immediately if
there are any signs of symptoms spreading beyond
the immediate bite site.
Until then, eat safe, play safe, use sunscreen
protection and follow common sense prevention and
early detection of bites and stings. It could save
your life and your skin! Happy travels!
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