So, you’re all packed.
- Swimsuit? Check!
- Guide books? Check!
- First aid kit containing every pill and potion available to treat all possible illnesses, infections and ailments you may contract whilst abroad?
Nobody likes getting ill, least of all on holiday. Whilst we all like to travel to experience new and exciting things, the change in climate, different foods and unfamiliar landscapes can often have an adverse effect on our bodies. There’s usually a remedy to be found for whatever ails you in any pharmacy. However, it’s difficult to prepare for every eventuality. Plus you don’t want to waste valuable luggage space on a medicine cabinet full of various pills and potions. So, here at Economy Car Hire we have come up with a list of our favourite natural remedies that you can rustle up wherever you are in the world.
Motion Sickness
Do all those winding roads on road trips make you feel nauseous?
Cause: Motion Sickness is usually caused by a repeated motion that disturbs the balance mechanism in your inner ear.
Symptoms: Feelings of nausea, dizziness and sweating.
Treatment: Simple things such as facing the direction of travel, sitting in the front seat of a car, and opening a window for fresh air can all help prevent motion sickness, but once it is set in it can be difficult to shake. To counteract the effects of motion sickness there are few natural remedies that can help. The most effective of these is ginger tea! Steep a small amount of fresh ginger in hot water for a minute or two. The tea will soothe feelings of nausea, which in turn will help you relax and stop feeling dizzy!
Sunburn
Has your healthy glow turned lobster-like?
Cause: Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays.
Symptoms: Red, sore and blistering skin.
Treatment: Sunburn is uncomfortable and can be painful depending on the severity of the burn. If you have spent too long in the sun and are consequently feeling the heat (excuse the pun) the first thing you should do is apply a cold compress to the affected area. This will cool the skin and top the burn penetrating through further layers. Aloe Vera gels and Chamomile lotions will moisturise the skin and stop it drying out. Keep them chilled in the fridge for added relief and apply every couple of hours. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory and will help reduce pain and redness. Keep to the shade until your damaged skin has healed.
If the skin has blistered avoid piercing the skin. If they do burst apply an antiseptic like witch hazel or tea tree oil to prevent infection.
Traveller’s tummy
Been a bit too adventurous with those exotic dishes?
Cause: Traveller’s tummy is caused by the bacteria found in untreated water and contaminated food.
Symptoms: Diarrhoea, tummy ache, bloating and a mild fever.
Treatment: Traveller’s tummy is not only unpleasant but can keep you bedridden for days. Precious holiday time you don’t want to lose! There are plenty of travel gadgets and gizmos available these days that you can carry with you to check food and water for any nasty bugs.
If you have been caught out the most important thing to remember is to stay hydrated! Herbal teas such as peppermint and ginger will help soothe any intestinal discomfort and reduce bloating. Avoid caffeine and dairy products and instead snack on salted crackers and complex carbohydrates. These will stabilise your agitated digestive system. The friendly bacteria found in probiotic yoghurts will also help eliminate the bugs lurking in your stomach.
Bites
Once bitten, twice as shy?
Cause: Bloodthirsty midges, gnats and mosquitoes.
Symptoms: Itchy red lumps on the skin.
Treatments: Bites are one of the most irritating inflictions but also the most common. Midge and gnat bites will be smaller in size and usually heal a little bit quicker. Mosquito bites on the other hand can swell up to the size of a 50p coin! Although it’s easier said than done you must avoid scratching bites. Whilst it may feel satisfying, scratching them will aggravate the histamine chemical your body has produced to repel these nasty bugs and cause the bites to swell. Anti-histamine tablets will reduce symptoms. If you don’t have these to hand witch hazel will works as an anti-septic and soothes redness, and crushed up fresh basil acts as an anti-itch agent.
Hay Fever
Do sunshine and flowers make you feel under the weather?
Cause: Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen.
Symptoms: Sneezing; runny or blocked nose; itchy, red or watery eyes; itchy nose and throat, and a dry cough.
Treatments: Anti-histamine tablets are the most effective but there are several natural anti-histamine agents! A teaspoon a day of local honey will build up immunity to local pollen. Oranges, onions and garlic are all natural anti-histamines and help boost your immune system. To soothe symptoms drink chamomile tea. Chamomile is an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory and an anti-histamine. Use cooled chamomile tea bags as soothing compresses for irritated eyes.
Dry Scalp and Dandruff
Has the sun, sea and sand left your scalp feeling itchy, irritable and flaky?
Cause: Increased sun exposure, irritants in chlorine and dehydration.
Symptoms: Itchiness and dry, flaking skin on the scalp and around the hair line.
Treatment: Anti-Dandruff shampoos are often temporarily effective but if the problem persists try one of these natural remedies. Whatever you do don’t scratch. Scratching will only aggravate the condition and give you more dandruff. Try an aloe vera hair mask! Massage aloe Vera into scalp and leave for 15 Mins. The oils in aloe vera will hydrate the flaking surface of your scalp and soothe itchiness. Next, exfoliate with salt crystals for 2-3 minutes. While this may seem a bit abrasive it will scrub away the remaining dead skin and dislodge those stubborn bits of dandruff. Wash hair with shampoo and conditioner and rinse as normal.
Jet Lag
Does long haul travel leave you feeling like a narcoleptic?
Cause: Disruption of the body’s normal daily sleep pattern. Reduced amount of oxygen levels in the blood due to reduced air pressure in aeroplane cabins.
Symptoms: Extreme tiredness or difficulty sleeping.
Treatment: Whilst there isn’t anything you can take to ‘cure’ jet lag there are a few things you can do to combat its effects. When you board your flight immediately switch to the time one of your destination. Plan to eat at normal meal times of your destination. Avoid napping and alcohol, and drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is important in regulating levels of oxygen in your blood. If you need to keep awake, try to keep outside on your arrival. Your body will naturally respond to the sun light and the fresh air will give your blood that much needed boost in oxygen! If you are struggling to sleep try sprinkling lavender oil on your pillow and drinking chamomile tea to help you to relax.
Check out our Jet Lag tips for more ideas on how to keep your body clock ticking normally!
We hope these help keep you in tip top condition on your holiday. If you have tried and tested one of these remedies or have any other suggestions then leave us a comment below and let us know!
Written by Jessica Langlands from Economy Car Hire
A few years ago a friend told me to pour out some Listerine mouthwash into small bowls and leave a few dotted around your hotel room/villa pool/balcony etc to deter mosquitos and suchlike.
It worked a treat. Result? No bites or itchiness for the last few trips to the sun.
Regards
Jack
What a resourceful tip, thanks for letting us know Jack!
FENIGEL in spain from the pharmacy is very good stops itching..
Thank you for the tips for bites. Witch hazel and basil! Two things I always have but never heard about using them to treat bites.
Our pleasure Catherine 🙂
Witch Hazel is such a handy thing to have, it can treat all sorts!
Re holiday tum , avoiding dairy is sound advice but the suggestion of probiotic yoghurt seems a little contradictory given yoghurt is a dairy product . Would probiotic capsules be better advice !
Thanks Laura
Hi Laura,
Probiotic capsules are a great suggestion, especially for those with lactose and dairy intolerances.
However, if holidaymakers do not have probiotic capsules to hand, probiotic yoghurts are a good everyday alternative that can be found in most supermarkets. Their small dose of dairy is counteracted by high levels of ‘friendly bacteria’ which help remedy digestive discomfort.
Thanks for your comment 🙂