Spring Break: Vacation, Travel Tips

Whether traveling overseas or domestically, it’s important to stay safe and healthy on your travels. This spring break season, be sure to follow these tips:

• Water pollution is one of the leading causes of deaths and diseases worldwide. When traveling to another country, be aware of the water quality and sanitation. In countries with contaminated water, always drink bottled water and be cautious of using ice cubes. Do not use tap water for brushing your teeth and be aware of how fresh produce is cleaned. If you accidentally consume contaminated water, you may experience acute health effects including nausea, lung irritation, skin rash, vomiting, dizziness and even death. 
• Going to the beach can be a huge part of your family vacation. Before stepping foot into the ocean, be sure that you and your family members know how to swim. If you have little ones, be sure that they are wearing safety devices such as water wings. The ocean can have a strong current, which could easily sweep you away from shore. Watch for warning flags that suggest a strong ocean current
• Never swim if you have consumed alcohol. Alcohol can reduce your body temperature and impair your swimming ability, as well as, impair judgment, causing you to take unnecessary risks.The number one cause of drowning is alcohol consumption.
• Know that when jumping into the ocean, you are not the only one in the water. There are several creatures that call the ocean home including jelly fish, stingray, coral, and even sharks. Avoid wearing shiny jewelry or swimming at dusk. If you see a stingray, shuffle your feet to avoid being stung.      
• While enjoying the outdoors, always use sunscreen. Whether you are at the beach, or just touring the town, I suggest using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Try to avoid the sun’s peak hours between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Ultraviolet rays can also be damaging to skin even if the sky is overcast. Remember to always put on water proof sunscreen before going outdoors. 
• Pseudomonas otitis externa, or “swimmer’s ear,” occurs when contaminated water from swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, or the ocean stays in direct contact with the ear canal. If you think you have swimmer’s ear, you may experience symptoms like pain when the infected ear is gently tugged, itchiness inside the ear and/or pus draining from the ear. To avoid swimmer’s ear, you should wear ear-plugs in the water and dry your ears after swimming. Over-the-counter products such as Swim Ear or prescription acetic acid drops are also available. Submersion of the head under water during swimming washes away the natural acidic environment within the ear canal. This provides an environment in which bacteria can thrive, leading to infection. Over-the-counter products such as acetic acid drops bring the acidity back.
• If vacationing in the mountains, prevent altitude sickness by drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol.  Eat foods high in carbohydrates and low in sodium, while moderating your activity. Also, prepare for the weather by dressing in layers so your body can adjust to varying temperatures. Damaging UV radiation from the sun is generally 40 percent greater on the slopes than at sea level. This intense sun can be harmful to the skin and eyes. Unfortunately, you may not realize that you are sun or wind burnt, until it’s too late.
• Remember to bring your own first aid kit. I suggest filling your first aid kit with items like medications, pain relievers, bandages, antibiotic ointments and peroxide. Having your own supplies decreases the risk of allergic reactions to unfamiliar medications/products and will come in handy for emergencies.   

Spring break is an exciting time for many families and if proper precautions are taken, injuries and other unfortunate situations can be avoided.  Be sure to keep your vacation travels safe and fun this year!

Dr. Robert Malecki, M.D. is a board-certified Family Practice Medicine physician in Crystal Lake.  Dr. Malecki is a member of the Advocate Medical Group and on staff at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. He attended medical school at Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, and completed his residency at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital Center in Family Medicine.