:::: Staying healthy on the road

Staying healthy on the road
From mosquito bites to food poisoning, we ask experts for advice on keeping your kids in good health while on holiday.

1 Motion Sickness

Don't let your children eat a heavy meal for up to two hours prior to and during a car or boat trip.

On a longer journey, feed them only easily digested foods such as fruit and bread, advises Dr. Wendy Sinnathamby, a pediatrician at

the University Children's Medical

Institute at the National University

Hospital in Singapore. If those stomachs are still growling, distract them by playing games or pointing out interesting things outside.

2 Stomach Aches

The best way to prevent stomach trouble is to watch what you eat and how you eat it, says

Dr. Thoon Koh Cheng of KK

Women's and Children's Hospital in

Singapore. Steer clear of salads, raw vegetables, tap water and ice cubes.

Instead, feed your children food that has been fully cooked and fruit that you can peel yourself Keep a bottle of drinking water by the sink for brushing teeth. Also, pack some water sterilization tablets to sterilize teething toys and pacifiers.

3 Heat Stroke

Walking around temples or playing on the beach all day can take a toll on a little body, so carry bottled water at all times and ensure the youngsters drink often. In case they do become dehydrated, don't give them soft drinks. Sodas contain too much sugar and not enough potassium and salt, a combination that actually makes dehydration worse, says Dr. Deborah Mills,

an Australian travel medicine specialist who runs the website thetraveldoctor.com.au.

4 Traveler's Belly

Ifyour children do develop diarrhea, give them oral rehydration solution, found at pharmacies in the more developed countries in the region. You can also make your own with two tablespoons of sugar and a quarter teaspoon of salt in a liter of pure water, plus a quarter teaspoon of baking soda if available, says Dr.Thoon. Meanwhile, babies should continue to breastfeed or drink formula while older children should eat starchy foods such as cooked rice, maize, toasted bread, potatoes and bananas, says Dr. Mills.

5 Vaccinations

Four to eight weeks before your trip, check what immunizations and medications are required or recommended. "I recommend the usual childhood vaccines plus Hepatitis A and sometimes typhoid and rabies depending on the destination" says Dr. Mills. If you are traveling to a malaria-prone country-for example, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos-ask your doctor to prescribe an appropriate prophylaxis, adds Dr. Sinnathamby.

Chloroquine resistance is now common, so do a bit of research on the best kind of prophylaxis. The U.S.Centers for Disease Control's we

(cdc.gon/travel is an excellent source of information on diseases and other travel health issues. And if your child

is on regular medication, make sure there's enough for the entire trip and get a doctor's letter so you don't run into any trouble at customs.

6 Flying

To help younger ones cope with ear pressure, - give them something to drink during take-offs and landings.

"Swallowing makes the eustachian tubes open so the pressure equalizes between outer ear and middle ear.

Screaming does the same thing, but is less socially acceptable,'' explains Dr. Mills.

7 Sun Protection

Children are more vulnerable to sunstroke, which can be fatal. So make sure your kids wear wide-brimmed hats that provide enough shade for their faces and necks. Choose a sun bock with a SPF factor of at least 15, apply it at least 30 minutes before going out and remember to re-apply every two hours, even if it's advertised as being waterproof it's also a good idea to buy a good quality swimsuit that keeps UV rays out-and make sure those hats stay on while you're at the beach.

8 Mosqulto Bltes

The best way to prevent malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses is to prevent the pests from biting in the first place. With that in mind, wear long-sleeved, light-colored clothes and pants. When it comes to accommodations, stay in air- conditioned rooms with mosquito nets for the beds. During the day, insect repellent with 30 percent DEET gives good protection for anyone over two months and should last for 4-5 hours, says Dr. Mills.

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9 Snake Bites and Bee Stings

With a snake bite, keep your child calm and as still as possible, says Dr.Sinnathamby. Immobilize the limb where he or she has been bitten with a splint and bandage to minimize absorption of the venom and get to the nearest medical facility. For bee stings, scrape off the stinger-the little black dot in the center of a reddened area-with a fingernail.

Don't squeeze the stinger with your fingers or tweezers because that could release more venom. Then wash the area and apply ice to decrease

swelling, says Dr. Sinnathamby.

If your child develops an allergic reaction, such as swelling of the lips and tongue or breathing difficulties, give him or her an antihistamine and hurry to the nearest clinic, she says.

For children with known allergies to bee stings, ask your pediatrician for Epipen Jr. an injection loaded with epinephrine, more commonly known as adrenaline, which counters a possibly fatal reaction.

10 Water Dangers

Poolside areas are slippery, but you can prevent falls with slip-resistant footwear. If you're traveling with an infant, invest in a carry cot that can double up as a play pen by the pool. At the beach, treat any cuts or scrapes caused by coral by pulling out any fragments with tweezers, washing the wound thoroughly with soap and water, and applying witch hazel, which eases the sting-Jellyfish stings are more serious. First, pour vinegar

over the tentacles to inactivate them, says Dr. Mills. Then, carefully lift off any tentacle fragments with a knife or piece of driftwood, without dragging them across the skin. Anesthetic ointment, calamine lotion or an ice pack should then be applied to the wound. Don't rub the wound with bare hands or wet sand-that only aggravates the sting, Dr. Mills says.

Seek medical advice immediately if your child is in serious pain. With sea urchin stings, immerse the injured area in hot water (take care that it's not scalding), and remove the visible spines, but try not to dig around the skin. Then, get your child to a doctor.

THE ESSENTIAL FAMILY TRAVEL MEDICAL KIT

* Bandages and plasters * Antiseptic wipes/solutions

* Thermometer

* Oral rehydration salts * Sun screen and after-sun lotions * Insect repellents

* Tweezers

* Cortisone cream * Antibiotic ointment * Medicines for fever and pain, e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen for children

* Non-prescription

antihistamines such as cetirizine (sold under the name Zyrtec)