What you really should look out for when on holiday

Beat the blisters

If you’re visiting a new city with lots of walking involved, your Fitbit may be buzzing with the amount of steps you’ll get in, but your feet may not. Blisters are all too common for many people, but what are the best ways to avoid them?

• Wear shoes and socks that are comfortable and fit well
• Keep your feet dry
• If you feel your shoes starting to rub, adjust your footwear or place a plaster on the affected area

However, if you do have an unwanted friend joining you on your holiday, shield the blister using protective cover such as a blister plaster. If the blister pops, make sure you keep the area clean by washing it with mild soap and applying antiseptic gel.

Repel the mosquitoes

The severity of a mosquito bite depends on the country you visit, the area you’re in and the preparation you’ve done. Make sure you have any recommended travel vaccinations before you visit parts of the world which mosquitoes carry infectious disease.

Even if they’re not a huge health risk, mosquito bites can be very irritating when you’re trying to soak up the sun! When applying insect repellent, containing the ingredient diethyltoluamide (DEET), make sure you apply it after you have put on your sunscreen.

If you get bitten make sure the area is kept clean to avoid infection. Although it can get infuriatingly itchy, try not to scratch the area as this can worsen the bite. If a bite becomes infected you may need some antibiotics, speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you’re worried.

Aching pains

Whether you’ve had a go at an old sport you used to love and it didn’t go quite to plan or you packed your suitcase too heavy and strained a muscle when pulling it off the carousel, muscle strain can be an aching pain when on holiday.

If you do strain a muscle, try and rest it, painkillers will also help to reduce the pain. However, if the pain continues it may be time to book and see a physiotherapist when you’re home.

Avoiding sunburn

Although you hear it day in day out, from health professionals and from your friends and family, many people still make the vital error of not protecting their skin in the sun. It is important to ensure that you wear sunscreen that is SPF 30 or above and provides good UVA protection. Regularly apply your sunscreen, especially after you’ve had a dip in the pool or the sea. Lastly, don’t spend the whole day in the sun, it is the strongest between 11am and 3pm, so during these hours have regular breaks in the shade. Most importantly – enjoy your break and relax!