So, we have some advice to prevent or relieve the most common of those niggling little problems that can take the gloss off your travel experience.
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EARACHE: Avoid pain with methods tried and true, and new
Typically, flight-related earache is caused by the effect changes in air pressure have on the middle ear cavity. Earache can be especially painful if the Eustachian tubes connecting the throat to the middle ear are blocked. The more common remedies include chewing gum or sucking on a lolly, swallowing, or pinching your nostrils while blowing your nose to increase inner ear pressure. All may work in a given situation. Also getting good reviews are disposable patented pressure-regulating earplugs called EarPlanes. They consist of two elements: a hypoallergenic silicone ear plug and a ceramic pressure regulator. As the cabin air pressure changes, a pressure differential is created across the ceramic filter, causing air to flow through the filter. Available in both child and adult sizes, Earplanes are suitable for travellers who generally have difficulty equalising ear pressure on flights or must fly with a cold, allergy or sinus condition. However, the manufacturers warn that they should not be used if severe sinus congestion has caused the Eustachian tubes to become completely blocked. If you get an ear infection just prior to departure, don’t delay in getting the problem treated.


TOOTHACHE: Have a pre-travel check-up
Toothache may also get worse during a flight thanks to the changes in air pressure. It can also occur at high altitude destinations due to abscesses, broken fillings, or root canals with small air pockets. We recommend a check-up before you go: it’s the only way to be completely sure small dental problems don’t become big, costly, painful ones far from home. As a short-term solution, relieve the pain with over-the-counter medications like Advil, Motrin or Ibuprofen. If a filling has been dislodged keep the area clean by brushing and flossing and see a dentist as soon as possible. No traveller’s first-aid kit is complete without trusty Oil Of Cloves, which may provide short-term pain relief when applied directly to the problem area.

RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS: Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids
Flying may also aggravate respiratory problems, but not because of the quality of the air in the cabin (in fact, it is about as clean and well filtered as it’s possible to get). Rather, it is because cabin air is dry, which causes coughing, sneezing, a bloody nose, or other respiratory symptoms. Drinking lots of fluids helps (not alcohol - it dehydrates). A decongestant or cough medicine to relieve persistent symptoms may be another handy addition to your first-aid kit.

CONSTIPATION: Easy solution to a common problem
Constipation is a very common travel-related problem – at least as common as diarrhoea. The solution is easy: Moderate exercise and maintaining a steady rate of fluid consumption, which just happens to be the answer for avoiding blood clots in the legs that cause the serious, potentially fatal condition, deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The risk of DVT is much higher in pregnancy. When flying, pregnant women should request an aisle seat, drink plenty of water or juice, and make frequent trips to the bathroom. Make room in your first-aid kits for a laxative such as Coloxyl (docustae sodium), or fibre supplements such as Metamucil or Fybogel.

CUTS, BUMPS, AND SPRAINS: Minor travel accidents will happen
New places, new activities can mean small accidents resulting in cuts, bumps, and sprains. They can be a major nuisance when you are far from home. Initial treatment should always be ice, compression and elevation. Even a cut needing stitches should get the ice treatment while you wait. For cuts, wash thoroughly with soap and water to eliminate germs. For sprains and bumps, the rule is RIP – Rest the Injured Part. Keep the injured limb elevated and avoid using it. Cuts and minor abrasions can carry a risk of tetanus – the reason we recommend a booster before you go.

RASHES: Add an antihistamine to first-aid kit
An antihistamine, such as Phenergan (promethazine) or Telfast (fexofenadine), will help alleviate the itch from most rashes. They are effective for insect bites, too. Heat rash (prickly heat) will respond to cool compresses. Avoiding sweating and apply an emollient cream and perhaps also a cream containing cortisone to relieve the skin irritation caused by heat rash and chaffing. For pregnant travellers, pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (or PUPPP) causes a chronic, hives-like rash. Although itchy and annoying, it presents no long-term risk for either the mother or unborn child and responds well to topical moisturising creams, and to antihistamines. Some antihistamines are not recommended in pregnancy, so check this with your doctor. If a rash persists, consult your doctor immediately on your return.

SUNBURN: Prepare for tropical sun and insects
Some medications common to travel can make the skin more photosensitive – you burn more easily than normal. The malaria prevention medication Doxycycline is one example. The sun is stronger in the tropics, increasing the risk of sunburn – something Aussies from southern states forget when travelling to tropical regions of Asia, Africa and South America. Be careful to avoid excessive sun exposure and use a sunscreen every day – even if it’s cloudy.
The tropics mean insect-borne diseases, too. While it is tempting to opt for a product that combines sunscreen and insect repellent, the repellent may reduce the effectiveness of the sunscreen. Use separate products and consider using a stronger sunscreen. Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outdoors; Apply repellent just before you step outside.

For more information and advice regarding vaccinations and illness prevention, please call Travelvax Australia’s toll-free travel health information service on 1300 360 164. Our travel health specialists can also make a pre-travel appointment for you – we have 32 clinics across Australia.