Safe Practices While Travelling

Safe Practices During Travel

Make sure you have Belladonna 200c in your kit for treating sunstroke.
Protect yourself from the sun - stay out of the midday sun (11am to 2pm), wear a hat and avoid getting burned by the sun or becoming overheated.

Boil local water thoroughly or drink bottled water in areas where sanitation and hygiene are poor. Don't depend on being able to buy bottled water in all areas - take water purification tablets with you.
Always avoid ice cubes.
Use boiled water when brushing teeth.
Definitely avoid swimming or paddling in polluted waters.
Drink plenty of (reliable) water - adults should drink 3 litres a day in hot weather, small children 1 litre.

Avoid uncooked vegetables and salads.
Wash fruit in clean water and peel it.
Ensure meats and fish are well cooked and are not reheated.
Avoid unpasteurised milk products; also avoid mayonnaise (which contains raw egg), cream and ice cream.
Avoid sugary foods as they decrease the function of the immune system.
Avoid foods likely to have been exposed to flies.

Avoid traveller's constipation by drinking plenty of clean water and eating more fruit and vegetables. You may like to consider taking Acidophilus capsules 3-4 weeks before travel, in order to build up a healthy digestive system. Including plenty of garlic in your diet helps to protect against intestinal parasites. Calm the digestive tract with ginger root; drink ginger tea or suck crystallised ginger.
A change in diet may cause constipation; try taking the homeopathic remedy Opium in 30c potency morning and evening for 3 days.
Treat diarrhoea to prevent dehydration (see the page on "Traveller's Diarrhoea" for homeopathic treatments); and make up a rehydration mixture by dissolving ½ teaspoon of salt and 8 teaspoons of sugar in 1 litre of bottled or boiled water, to sip frequently in order to replace lost salts in the sweat and stools.

Aim to avoid insect bites by covering up from dusk onwards when mosquitoes are most likely to be active: wear long sleeves, long trousers and socks; stay indoors in the evening; use insect repellent and mosquito nets.
Take the homeopathic remedy Ledum 30c twice a day in high risk mosquito areas to avoid bites (also Caladium 6c twice daily and Staphysagria 12c twice daily if you're really prone to bites).
Eat lots of garlic (raw if possible). Mozzies hate the smell!
Take 50mg vitamin B1 morning and evening while at risk from bites. If you are taking a single B1 vitamin, always take a B complex as well.
Use natural herbal insect repellants. Citronella essential oil can be either burnt or rubbed into the skin (diluted in a light cream or oil).
Wear light clothing rather than dark, to keep mosquitoes away.
Avoid sweet-smelling perfumes and aftershave - they attract bugs.
Avoid areas of stagnant water.

Avoid unprotected sex — always use a condom if not with a long term partner.

Be aware of the risks of tattoos, body piercings and surgery while in high risk areas: see pages on Hepatitis B & C.