Healthy holiday checklist

Recent research suggests many of us will experience health problems while we're on holiday - whether it be an insect bite or sunburn. Dr Sarah Brewer offers her expert view on what medicines and remedies you should consider packing in your suitcase.

Make your family holiday as stress-free as you can by taking a simple first aid kit with you.

Dr Sarah recommends

Stomach upsets
Stomach niggles are the biggest problem for holiday makers, with more than two thirds of people suffering from tummy troubles when abroad. For children, have rehydration powders to hand for vomiting and diarrhoea. Adults can also use rehydration powders, as well as loperamide, an over-the-counter medicine which helps to combat diarrhoea.

Sunburn
To help prevent sunburn in children, it's advisable to have a sunscreen to hand with a sun protection factor of at least SPF30 to 40. For prevention in adults, use at least SPF16. If you find yourself suffering from sunburn and need to treat it, try aloe vera gel or paracetamol.

Insect bites
Mosquitoes and other local bugs cause bites that can be red, sore and itchy. More than half of Brits suffer from the problem while they're away so it's worth keeping an insect repellent to hand to help prevent problems arising. If you find that you or your family have been bitten, use an insect sting pain reliever spray, or 1 per cent hydrocortisone cream.

Headaches
To relieve headaches, paracetamol is an excellent first-line analgesic. It is gentle on the stomach, so suitable for the majority of people in the majority of situations. Depending on your child's age, give liquid paracetamol. Adults can take paracetamol tablets.

Colds and flu
One in five battle colds and flu on holiday and this is often the result of being given a chance to unwind from the stress and grind of daily life. Pack nasal decongestant, paracetamol tablets or liquid paracetamol to help manage your sniffles.

Other key holiday health essentials
Don't forget travel sickness tablets, antihistamine tablets for hayfever and allergies, anti-thrush cream and water purification tablets, unless drinking water is known to be safe. If you have prescribed medications, remember to take along adequate quantities and don't forget asthma inhalers and contraceptive pills/condoms.

Finally, it's worth checking out any specific medical requirements for the country you are travelling to with your GP at least six weeks before you travel.

Research carried out by Panadol Advance