Keep your family healthy this summer with information from the BootsWebMD.com travel health guide

Some timely advice from Boots for anyone setting out on a holiday or even starting a staycation. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology scheduled posts, while you read this, we're currently exploring dusty ruins, visiting the camel market and lounging by the pool in Tunisia, after which we'll be making brief trips to Brittany and Sussex to visit the grandparents. Are you off anywhere nice? Whatever your plans, stay safe ! 

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With the school summer holidays now upon us, BootsWebMD.com, can help you and your family be fully prepared and protected for a fun filled summer.

Not sure how to protect you and your children’s health or what health hazards to look out for during the summer months? Whether you’re going abroad or enjoying the great British summer, here are some useful facts and information from BootsWebMD.com travel health guide on what steps to take to keep you and your family safe:

At home:

·         Sunburn: Remember to limit sun exposure, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapplied at least every two hours. Use water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher

·         Heat exhaustion: When a heat wave comes along, reduce strenuous activities or do them during early mornings and evenings when it's cooler. If you see someone experiencing heat exhaustion, make the person lie down in a cool place and elevate the legs. Use water, wet towels, and fanning to help cool the person down until emergency help arrives.

·         Bee stings: Remove bee stings by scraping with fingernails or tweezers, making sure the venom isn’t spread any further by puncturing the venom sac, then wash the area with soap and water

·         Summer allergies: Although spring most readily comes to mind when we think of allergies, many of the same allergic triggers in the spring persist into summer. This can be made worse with heat, humidity and air pollution. However, you can ease sniffling, sneezing, and watery eyes by avoiding your main triggers. For example, you can keep car windows closed and consider buying a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and changing your clothes and take a shower after being outdoors to remove the pollen on your body. Check out the summer allergies section on BootsWebMD.com for more information.

And away:

·         Travel vaccinations: Make sure your children have all the correct travel vaccinations as they could be susceptible to getting infections abroad. All children in the UK are currently routinely vaccinated against polio, diphtheria and tetanus. However, if for some reason they missed out on these common childhood jabs they may need them before travelling. Check with your doctor or a private travel health clinic for the very latest information

·         Travel and insurance: If you are travelling within Europe you should apply for a complimentary European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which will entitle you to free or reduced-cost medical care. However, don’t forget your travel insurance as the EHIC does not replace this

·         Going to developing countries: Don’t forget to stock up on rehydration sachets, mosquito nets, anti-malarial drugs and first aid supplies

·         Precautions for young children: The best way to protect infants against food and waterborne illnesses is to breastfeed while travelling. If this isn't possible, make formula with water that has been boiled sufficiently or bottled

·         Precautions during pregnancy: The NHS says the best times to travel is between 14 and 28 weeks, but check with your GP or midwife first. Avoid any country where malaria is present. Following food and water safety guidelines is even more important, because the consequences of a food-borne illness could be more severe. Also, if you're in your third trimester, make sure you will be near a medical centre than can cope with premature labour and/or birth.

Visit the BootsWebMD.com Travel Health Centre if you want to learn more about staying health at home and away. Here you can find more information on keeping your family safe during the summer and slideshows on how to stay well abroad.

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