HEALTH and SAFETY
Tips for a comfortable, happy and safe safari ...
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Tips for a comfortable, happy and safe safari ...
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Practically all the speciality medical fields are represented in Mombasa, and the standard of health care is quite reasonable.
An important part of personal medical care is common sense!
- Drink plenty of water - as long as it is only bottled with a sealed lid, or boiled water - tap or well-water is likely to be a source of diarrhoea and hepatitis.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid eating salads and taking ice cubes in outlets you feel unsure of.
- Use mosquito repellants and/or nets.
The humidity at the coast of Kenya also proves to be a slight problem for cuts, grazes and skin infections. Clean the would well with antiseptic and, unless weeping, leave the area uncovered. Beware of the flies on wounds, worm infection if walking barefoot, and coral cuts and other sea mishaps, if paddling without shoes.
Although medical treatment is inexpensive on a day-to-day basis, it would be wise to have Medical Insurance. The public hospitals are overcrowded and the medical treatment may be considered questionable. Some medical insurance policies exclude 'dangerous sports', and this may include a sport you wish to pursue in Kenya - e.g.: scuba diving.
A number of medicines you know to be 'prescription only' at home, are available 'over the counter' in Kenya. the prices for many drugs are cheaper, but the expiry date may have long past.
Try to be cautious and observant when purchasing medicines without a prescription ... and remember that drugs and medicines long banned and withdrawn by your government back home, may still be on the market in Kenya.
SUNTANS CAN KILL ..
Suntans also cause premature again, eye-damage and can cripple the immune system.
Did you know?
People who work or bask in the sun for many years without sun-screeen protection usually develop tough, leathery skin that can make them look 15-20 years older. Sun exposure typically results in changes in skin texture, causing excessive wrinkles, skin thickening and weakens the skin's elasticity. The sun can also cause discolouration - red, yellow, grey or brown blotches, 'liver pots' and grey scaly growths called actinic keratoses, which could develop into cancer.
TAN NOW ... PAY LATER
The price may be high: skin cancer, ugly aged skin, damaged eyes and an impaired immune system. With all these risks, ask yourself - do you really need a suntan?
USE A HIGH SPF, BROAD-SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN
Even if out in the sun for a short walk, rub a liberal amount of sunscreen to block the sun's rays. For maximum safety, reapply every few hours and after swimming or sweating. Even on cloudy days, as much as 75% of the sun's cancer-causing rays can penetrate through the cloud. The best sunscreen preparations are 'broad spectrum' ones blocking out must UV radiation, including both ultraviolet A-UVA - and ultraviolet B-UVB.
SHIELD YOUR EYES
Wear UV-blocking sunglasses or coated prescription lenses. Sunglasses also help shield the area around the eyes.
WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
A tightly woven cotton shirt will screen out most ultraviolet radiation. the tighter the weave, the greater the protection. Avoid loosely woven polyesters which let a lot of the UV rays through. Be sure to wear a hat. A cap with a peak can keep half of the dangerous rays away from the eyes, and a broad-brimmed hat is even better.
BE ALERT TO SKIN CHANGES
Although skin cancer is the most common malignancy, it is also the most curable - if caught in time. Keep a keen watch on any dark moles.
DON'T FORGET TO PROTECT THE CHIDREN
Children absorb a large proportion of their lifetime UV exposure before the age of 18.
SLIP, SLOP, SLAP
Before you go out .................. SLIP on a short
SLOP on the sunscreen
SLAP on a hat