THE TRAVEL HEALTH KIT

Travel sickness, sunburn or jetlag. If you're off for a holiday, make sure to pack items from ROUGE's health suitcase

BYAINDRILA MITRA

Problem: Insect bites Pack: Baking soda
Bugs and bees always jeopardise an adventurous holiday. But fret not, all you need to do is pack some baking soda. Says Dr. Apratim Goel, cosmetic surgeon, "With an insect sting, there's an acid release in the skin. Just mix the soda with water and apply the same on the place you've been bitten. For white puss formation, apply Fucidin ointment." Also carry anti-allergic tablets, she recommends.
Problem: Sunburn Pack: Aloe vera gel and cooling talcum powder
If you're a beach babe, a sunscreen with minimum SPF 15 is a must-have. However, if you suffer from sunburn on an especially sunny day, apply some aloe vera gel to soothe your skin. A mixture of aloe vera, menthol, calamine and peppermint like Calosoft or Sarna can work wonders according to Dr. Goel. She adds that carrying a cooling talcum powder in your travel kit is a good idea.
Problem: Stomach cramps Pack: Mestal/ Ponstan and camomile tea
Dr. Bharati Desai, family physician, prescribes Mestal or Ponstan tablets for menstrual cramps. She says, "You can take up to three tablets a day, depending on the extent of pain." Besides, camomile tea also helps in relieving stomach spasms.
Problem: Hangover Pack: Lemon
Excessive drinking and partying can leave you with a disastrous hangover. Dr. Goel suggests carrying lemon with you. "Lots of water with a dash of lime is a perfect solution to battle an after-party hangover," she explains. Further she adds, "You could actually drink beer to flush out the toxins." So make merry all the way!
Problem: Damaged hair
Pack: Sun-protective hair balm/ serum
Whether you're on a luxury holiday or a backpacking adventure, your hair is inevitably exposed to the sun. Dr. Goel advises to carry hair balm or serum with sunscreen that are available in the market from most cosmetic brands. Also, condition your hair for 20 minutes with a conditioning mask, she points out.
Problem: Heatstroke Pack: Crocin/ Paracetamol and salt
If you're off to a tropical, humid destination, and likely to spend hours under the sun, it's sensible to carry some salt with you. Dr. Desai explains, "Drinking lots of salt water or even nimbu paani is the perfect solution to a mild heatstroke. It helps to hydrate your body and replenish yourself. Also, a crocin or paracetamol helps in case you have a throbbing headache." And do not forget your umbrellas and sunglasses when you're out in the sun for a long time.
Problem: Diarrhoea Pack: Imodium/Redol
Dr. Desai says, "Taking Imodium or Redol, which contain loperamide, orally is an instant reliever." However, she cautions, if you have diarrhoea, make sure to only drink mineral water and opt for boiled food. Also, avoid dairy products like cottage cheese and raw food. It's better to go for canned foods at this time.
Problem: Jetlag
Pack: Melatonin tablets
It's imperative to adjust your body clock according to the time zone you are travelling to, in order to avoid severe jetlag. In addition, Dr. Goel claims that Melatonin tablets also help to fight jetlag. "Eat more carbohydrate foods," she recommends.