Top tips for holiday health

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School’s out for summer which means many of us are packing up and taking off for a well-earned holiday. With swimming, eating, sight-seeing and partying to do, the last thing you need when you go away is to be ill.

We have put together some top tips that will hopefully keep you healthy so you can chill out and get the break you deserve

Pre-holiday prep
Before you even get in the car, we would strongly suggest you have the following ticked off your to-do list:

Check if you need to have any travel vaccinations and get them done in plenty of time, the last thing you need is to get sick because you aren’t protected.

You might think travel insurance is a cost you can avoid, we think it’s something you can’t be without. Do an online search, find a policy that is right for you and you have the peace of mind knowing that if illness strikes, you can get care.

If you are on regular medication, make sure you have enough to take away with you, and a couple of days supply for when you get home.

In case of minor accidents, be sure to pack basic first aid items such as antiseptic gels and wipes, painkillers, creams, energy tablets, plasters, anti-histamines, and rehydration mixes.

Nip travel sickness in the bud
One of the first things that can go wrong on holiday, is when travel sickness kicks in. Cars, planes, trains, and ferries can all cause that horrible nauseous feeling and even lead to sickness, but you don’t have to suffer. Travel bands and over the counter medicines are one way to deal with this problem, as well as sipping on cooled ginger or peppermint tea. Sit somewhere away from strong smells in the fresh air and take deep breaths to help calm the symptoms.

Keep deep vein thrombosis away
Deep vein thrombosis is rare, but if you are taking a long-haul flight, remember to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs whenever you can. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and wear loose, comfortable clothes when you travel and if you are worried, there are special socks you can buy before you fly.

Stop stomach bugs before they start
Warmer temperatures, more people, differing cleaning standards and food being left out for longer than usual, are all reasons why stomach bugs can be rampant on holiday and they spread quickly too. The most important thing to remember is to wash your hands, or use an antibacterial gel, after going to the loo, as well as before and after preparing and eating food. Talking about food, while it might be tempting to try something new from a stall or market, this is where germs can lurk and as for the hotel buffet, just be careful about what you choose as you don’t know how long things have been sitting around.

Another really important thing you need to do if you want tummy troubles to stay away, is to only drink bottled water, try to avoid ice cubes from bars and if you’re going for salads and fresh fruit and veg, check they have been cleaned with bottled water.

If problems do strike, you will need to get some rest will the bugs and bacteria pass through your system. This really is the time for bottled water and while we would suggest keeping away from anti-diarrhoea pills, you might want to use rehydration salts. You can try drinking cooled chamomile or peppermint tea as this can be soothing and help you to sleep. If you can keep food down, plain toast and biscuits are a good idea – dairy products are not. If you can’t get things under control and are worried about dehydrating, find a local doctor and seek medical advice.

Mosquitos are not your friends
We know that you have to wear suncream, but you might also want to use an over the counter spray to keep mosquitoes away from your skin. You can also use a few drops of citronella: mix a little with your moisturiser, or use in a burner at night time (but keep an eye on this to be safe). However hard we try to keep safe, bites do happen and if they happen to you, go for an antihistamine tablet or try a cream as these will help to reduce annoying itching and redness, but also remember that aloe Vera products can help soothe bites. Try not to scratch as this can make things worse, and also leave you with scars.

Do not burn
When it comes to sunburn, prevention really is better than cure. Use a suncream that offers your skin the best protection, stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, and wear a hat for your head and glasses for your eyes. If you get burnt, take a shower to cool things down and wash away creams, sand, dirt, and chlorine, then apply an aloe gel to cool, calm and hydrate your skin. If things really have got out of hand, think blisters and sores, see a doctor, and don’t go out in the sun until things have cleared up.

Be protected
Coming back from a holiday with a tan is great, arriving home with an STI is not. By all means, go away and have fun, but take protection with you and use it!

Team Pure Beauty

Give the Costa del Sol a go this summer

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Benalmadena, bike, bus, car, Chiringuitos, Costa del Sol, dophin, enter, Estepona, fish, fishing, five star, flamenco dancing, flights, Fuengirola, GMT, holiday, Istan, kids clubs, Marbella Club, Mediterranean, Ojen, package holidays, pasta, Plaza de los Naranjos, Rhonda, sand, scooter, sea, sun, swimming, tapas, taxi, Torremolinos, train, views, villa

Once a quiet land of fishing villages and whitewashed houses, today the Costa del Sol is known as ‘Sunshine Coast’ and buzzing with tourist activity. The region may have earned itself a somewhat down-market reputation due to cheap flights and package holidays, but don’t let you put this off visiting because it really is a fabulous holiday destination.

June to September tends to be the most popular times to visit due to the hot temperatures and summer holidays. Late April and May, when temperatures average between 23°C and 27°C, is more comfortable temperature and less busy because children are still in school.

Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Torremolinos are some of the most popular tourist spots and each one offers a variety of attractions and facilities. Marbella, and the glitzy waterfront resort of Puerto Banus, are full of glamour and a short drive away are the pretty, white washed villages of Estepona, Istan, Ojen and Rhonda. Set back from the coast and hidden in the mountainside, Mijas is a beautiful old town, where you will find some of the most breath taking panoramic views of Mediterranean.

It goes without saying that one of the biggest attractions of the area are the beaches. The sea temperature in the summer months is rarely less than 23ºC, so jump in and cool down but watch out for the jellyfish. As well as swimming, snorkeling and diving you can also try paragliding, sailing, fishing and for the ultimate treat go dolphin watching at dusk.

The climate and landscape are perfect for walks in the mountains, waterskiing on the lakes, cycling, birdwatching and with over 100 courses, the Costa del Sol is a golfers paradise.

There is a wide range of accommodation across the Costa del Sol. Whether you are looking for self-catering options, city apartments in Malaga or luxury villas complete with pools, there is something for everyone and every budget.

Hotels in the area are big business and options like the Marbella Club offer an amazing five star experience. If you want a hotel but don’t want to spend top dollar, an online search will give you some excellent cost effective options that offer great service, cleans beaches, kids clubs, local cuisine and entertainment.

Speaking of food, the Spanish are passionate about food, so be prepared for some impressive menus. Chiringuitos (beach bars) are a way of life and the food is always fresh and delicious. Whether you go for tapas, fresh fish, pasta or steaks, you really cannot go wrong. Oh, and the wine tend to be exceptional too.

If you are looking for a taste of traditional Spain head to ‘Plaza de los Naranjos’ (Orange Square) in Old Town Marbella. As well as exploring the shop lined cobbled streets and enjoying dinner alfresco under the blossom, you can also enjoy music from local musicians and flamenco dancing.

The flight from London to Malaga is just under three hours and the Costa del Sol is less than an hour from the airport. Travelling around can be done by bike, bus, car, scooter, train and taxi. Hiring a car can be handy if you want to explore the region but use a reputable company, take your license and be aware of the speed limits.

Local time is GMT + 1, Euros are the local currency and remember that you will need a European-style two-pin to plug in your gadgets.

This eclectic mix of old and new, makes the Costa del Sol the ultimate sun, sea, sand and sangria holiday destination.

Happy holidays.