Jetting off to foreign climes this summer? Then make sure your First Aid pack is fit for purpose. Sunburn, malaria and tapeworm are just some of the nasty conditions you might count among your souvenirs if you don't draw up a holiday health checklist. Your trip could even prove toxic soon after take-off. DVT or deep vein thrombosis is estimated to affect 6000 healthy people on long-haul flights and the risk is doubled for those over 40 or with a family history of blood clots. So make sure you don your flight socks - available from Boots - which help blood flow in your legs, where clots commonly form. Other things you can do to avoid DVT include . . . * Drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration and avoiding alcohol before or during the flight. * Trying to take a brisk walk for half an hour before the flight and regularly going for a short walk in the cabin to keep your legs moving during the flight. * You might also try a few simple exercises to keep your legs moving, by rotating your ankles, pointing your heel and toe alternately and lifting your knees whilst seated every half hour. * Try and tense your leg muscles as regularly as possible throughout the flight. * The day before the flight, take a low dose of aspirin (100mg to 150mg), during the flight, and for three days following the flight. If you're driving or sailing then motion sickness might mar the start of your holiday. A variety of over-the-counter travel sickness tablets or medicines are available. Some contain hyoscine or antihistamines and are most effective if taken before the journey. They can cause drowsiness, but may help you or your child sleep through the nausea. Travel sickness bands are worth trying for children . . . elasticated bands with a small plastic button on the inside. They are placed around the wrist with the button in the middle of the wrist. They are available in a small size for young children. Older children and teenagers may need the adult size. It makes sense that if you're travelling somewhere exotic you should check if you need any malaria tablets or injections. See your GP at least six weeks before you leave, or Newcastle has a private MASTA travel clinic - see www.masta-travel-health.com - which has access to the latest travel heath information. Malaria is endemic in more than 100 countries and around 2000 Brits return from abroad with malaria every year. Last year it claimed the lives of 18 UK residents. "Even those who do have anti-malarial pills often put themselves in danger by not completing the course when they get home, and they're actually still at risk," says George Kassianos, of the UK Malaria Guidelines Committee. The best advice is to avoid getting bitten in the first place so take an insect-repellent containing DEET and cover up in the early morning and evening when mosquitoes are at their "hungriest" and use a net and coils. Digestive disorders are another holiday health hazard. More than one third of British holidaymakers travelling overseas can expect some form of food poisoning. When abroad make sure you only drink tap water you know is safe. Buy bottled water instead (sparkling is always the safest option as that ensures the bottle hasn't just been filled from a tap). Use it for brushing teeth. Don't take ice in your drinks and beware of salads, unless you wash them yourself, and always peel fruit before eating. | 
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