You can buy toiletries almost anywhere in the world, often for less than it costs it home.

You may . . . → Read More: Toiletries]]>

You can buy toiletries almost anywhere in the world, often for less than it costs it home.

You may have your favourites, however, and not every brand is available overseas (sometimes there are worse, sometimes better alternatives). You can’t always be sure of the quality, either.

For these reasons you might consider bringing your own.

Space and weight can be saved by taking small, travel- or trial-sized bottles, or better still, buy some small, refillable plastic bottles and containers and fill them with your own products.

Liquids can weigh a lot, and a lot of bottles of liquids can weigh a considerable amount.

You also have the problem of leaking, although this can be made better by putting the bottles in a leak-proof plastic bag. There are non-liquid alternatives for most toiletries, some of which are listed below.

Starting at the top of the head and working down:

Hair

Shampoo generally comes in liquid form but you can get it in a bar (like soap) which is lighter, more compact, and more leak-proof than regular shampoo.

Don’t take a huge bottle, you will probably have to carry it around with you for ages before you make a dent in its contents.

Soap

Soap comes as a liquid and a bar. You can also get universal soaps that wash hair, clothes, and crockery. You can buy soap anywhere, too, all you need worry about is something to carry it in.

Teeth

Some people cut the handle off their toothbrush to make it lighter for travel, but this saves so little weight and it is annoying to use, so it’s really not worth it.



However, you should get toothbrush covers, which are very useful if your brush is squashed into your bag every day.

Floss is essential, not just for your teeth, but for other uses such as thread, tying up things, cutting food (like a cheese-wire), emergency shoelaces, a clothesline, and so on.

Shaving

You can either use nothing (just hot water), or just soap to shave with, but both of these are hard on your skin.

You don’t need to take a large can of shaving foam as there are smaller, lighter alternatives, such as shaving oil.

Cheap plastic razors can be bought anywhere, but a good travel razor is the AVID razor, which is cheap, light, and works well.

Deodorant

Comes in non-liquid form as deodorant sticks, which also come in small, travel sizes. Available everywhere.

Nails

Standard nail clippers are fine, stainless steel are better. You can use toenail clippers (straight, or slightly convex) as regular nail clippers (usually concave) if you don’t want to take both. Be aware that if you take nail scissors they might not be allowed in your hand baggage on some flights.

Mirror

Don’t take glass mirrors, there are so many good (lighter and unbreakable) alternatives made of plastic (acrylic) you can buy these days, such as the Coghlans Plexiglass Mirror

Towel

Towels from home are heavy and bulky. You don’t need something that large anyway, a thin hand towel is fine, even one cut in half can be used in most situations.

You can get some made of synthetics (viscose, for example) which are very absorbent for their size and weight.

The Medical pages list the various diseases and vaccinations available. This section gives information on where and when to . . . → Read More: Vaccinations]]>

The Medical pages list the various diseases and vaccinations available. This section gives information on where and when to get them, how long they last, whether you need boosters, possible side-effects, and so on.

Don’t rely on the information given below. Try to get to a specialist travel clinic, or seek advice from a qualified professional.

Some clinics will give you a free consulation, other charge a fee (usually refunded if you then have the vaccinations at the clinic).

In the UK you can get vaccinations from your GP (usually for free), or go to one of the specialist travel clinics, such as the Nomad Travel Clinics, or The Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London.



Or do a basic search on the Internet in your country to find one. For example, this website has a list of directories for other countries, including the USA.

Check the Links – Websites page for more links to health information by country.

Remember to start your vaccination programme at least six weeks before departure.

Polio

How – usually given as a childhood vaccine. Recommended every 10 years for travel to areas outside of Europe, Australasia or the Americas.

When – anytime before departure.

Tetanus

How – a routine childhood vaccine. Boosters needed every ten years for travel to areas where immediate treatment may not be available, or after a cut or injury.

When – anytime before departure.

Diphtheria

How – a routine childhood vaccine. Boost every 10 years.

When – anytime before departure.

Hepatitis A

How – vaccination protects initially for one year and then a further injection boosts immunity to 20 years, possibly life.

When – two to four weeks before travel.

Hepatitis B

How – a course of vaccines is required, three injections over six months although more rapid schedules can be done for those leaving with less time available.

When – ideally six months before travel.

Typhoid

How – available as a single shot or as a combined vaccine with Hepatitis A. Provides approximately 80% protection for three years.

When – two weeks before travel.

Yellow Fever

How – vaccine with immunisation lasting for 10 years.

When – 10 days before travel.

Meningitis A, C W135 and Y vaccine

How – vaccine covering four strains of Meningitis.

When – two to three weeks prior to travel.

Japanese Encephalitis

How – a course of three vaccines.

When – six weeks prior to travel.

Rabies

How – a course of vaccines over one month. Further treatment is still required after a bite but both reduces the amount of treatment needed and changes the treatment required. In some developing countries there are no guarantees as to the quality or availability of treatment.

When – four to six weeks before travel.

Tick Borne Encephalitis

When – six weeks prior to travel.

Cholera

How – a course of two oral vaccines. Gives 80% coverage for two years.

When – a minimum of three weeks prior to travel.

Some problems with the cold aren’t necessarily associated with cold temperatures, for example, hypothermia.

Hypothermia

Cause – a life-threatening . . . → Read More: Problems With The Cold]]>

Some problems with the cold aren’t necessarily associated with cold temperatures, for example, hypothermia.

Hypothermia

Cause – a life-threatening condition defined as body temperature below 95 F (35 C).

Temperatures do not have to be extreme to cause hypothermia, since water and wind can combine to rapidly chill a person. Most deaths from hypothermia occur in well-above freezing temperatures.

Symptoms – a pale, drowsy, confused, and cold victim. She may become unconscious.

Treatment – consists of seeking immediate medical help and warming the victim. Warm drinks are effective, as well as hats, blankets, emergency aluminum blankets which reflect body heat, and, of course, warm shelter. Remove wet clothing.

Prevention – wear warm clothing in insulating layers, a windproof/waterproof shell, and a hat. An aluminum reflective space blanket should be in every traveler’s pack. Avoid cotton clothing in cold, wet conditions.

Frostbite

Treatment – must be immediate. Warming affected areas. Massage is not helpful, but placing feet and hands under armpits is. If warm water is available, place the affected areas in it. The water should not be hotter than 110 F (43 C). Remove constricting clothing, rings, and watches. Don’t warm affected areas with direct heat, such as from a lighter. Don’t allow someone to walk on a frostbitten foot, unless it’s necessary for survival.

These include the usual ones you would get at home, colds, sore throats, and other infections. Take proper medications, . . . → Read More: Other Travellers’ Ailments]]>

These include the usual ones you would get at home, colds, sore throats, and other infections. Take proper medications, or try to get access to good medical care whilst abroad.

Jet lag

Cause – crossing many time zones in a short space of time.

Symptoms – disorientation, tiredness, and irritability for several days after a long journey.

Treatment – take time to become oriented to the local time and climate when you arrive. Outdoor activity and exercise can help. Some take Melatonin or a short-acting sleeping pill. Afternoon naps can help also.

Prevention – rest well before leaving home. Sleep on the aeroplane on long journeys. Drink plenty of water.

Motion sickness

Prevention – if you are susceptible to motion sickness, Dramamine pills work better if taken before symptoms develop. Scopolamine ear patches may also help. While at sea or riding a bus get as much fresh air as possible, and focus vision towards the horizon. Think pleasant thoughts. Avoid greasy or spicy foods.

Altitude sickness

Found – occurs at altitudes above 8000 feet (2500 meters). About twenty-five percent of travellers to high altitudes will be affected, but younger people are more susceptible.

Cause – ascending to altitude before the body has time to adjust to the lower air pressure and lower oxygen content of the air.

Symptoms – mild and flu-like, such as headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. Insomnia often results due to shortness of breath. Usually these symptoms last only a short time as the body adjusts. Many travellers have trouble sleeping their first night or two in high-altitude cities.

Severe cases result in fluid buildup in the lungs. This leads to intense breathlessness, coughing and wheezing. Fluid may also build-up in the brain, leading to severe headache, seizures, vomiting, hallucinations, and even coma.

Treatment for mild cases – is usually just rest. Plan for an easy day or two upon landing in a high-altitude city. Aspirin may help. Avoid alcohol and drink plenty of fluids.

Treatment for severe cases – requires immediate action. Don’t wait until morning or the victim may die or suffer brain damage. They should be brought down at least two or three thousand feet and have oxygen administered. They should also be brought to a hospital as soon as possible where diuretic drugs may be given.

Prevention – best by slowly gaining altitude. If you walk to gain altitude you can go back down a few thousand feet if you begin feeling symptoms. One rule of thumb is to always sleep below the highest altitude achieved that day.

If you need to buy gear, get it from the classifieds, craigslist, ebay, buy it used, or borrow it . . . → Read More: Tips for Saving Money]]>

If you need to buy gear, get it from the classifieds, craigslist, ebay, buy it used, or borrow it from friends.

Stay in hostels, rather than hotels. Stay in a tent, rather than a hostel.

Take a train instead of a plane. Walk or get the bus instead of taking a taxi. Hitchhike instead of taking a train or bus.

Don’t buy water, use a plastic bottle filled and topped up with tap water.

Don’t eat out in restaurants every day, especially in Europe. Supermarkets and bakeries are so much cheaper and the food is often better (than McDonalds, for sure).

You can cook for yourself in hostels, and, if camping, you can use a stove to make some great meals.