Travel Medicines Flashcards
What topical and oral options are available to treat insect bites?
Topical
- steroid cream (hydrocortisone 1%)
- symptomatic relief (mopiko, soov [cetrimide, lignocaine])
- egoderm
Oral
- antihistamines
- painkillers (paracetamol)
What barrier precautions can people take to prevent insect bites? (6)
- Stay indoors whenever mosquito is active
- Wear clothing that exposes as little skin as possible
- Wear light-coloured clothing
- Sleep under a permethrin-impregnated bed net
- Sleep in a sealed, air conditioned room, or screened windows with fan
- Avoid scented lotion or perfumes
What kind of repellents are preferred for kids?
DEET-free
What kind of active ingredients in repellents are there? (5)
- DEET (N,N-diethyl-mtoluamide / N,N-diethyl-3-methyl-benzamide)
- picaridin / icaridin
- oil of lemon eucalyptus
- IR3535
- 2-undecanone
How much % of DEET is required for protection (and how long)? What is the upper limit where beyond this, no additional protection?
20-50% provides 6-12h (higher % = longer duration)
No additional benefit >50%
How much % of picaridin / icaridin is required for protection?
20%
Who are less likely to get motion sickness?
<2y and >50y
Who are more likely to get motion sickness?
- 2-12y
- pregnant
- menstruation
- taking hormone pills
Where is a good place to sit to reduce motion sickness on a plane, boat, train or car?
- plane: closer to the wing, window seat
- boat: face towards the waves, away from rocking bow, near water surface
- train: window seat
- car/bus: front seats
lowest level, facing front
Pharm options for motion sickness?
- antihistamines (cinnarizine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, promethazine, chlorpheniramine)
- antimuscarinics (scopolamine [hyoscine hydrobromide])
- benzodiazepines (small dose, 30min before travel)
When to take meds for motion sickness?
at least 30min before travel and Q6h (except scopolamine, 5-6h before travel, Q72h)
