Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
16 April 2012 08:32
Researchers looked at non-prescription treatments for insect bites
If you're planning on packing some over-the-counter remedies for insect bites before jetting off on holiday you may want to think again.
For researchers have claimed there is little evidence to prove such non-prescription remedies have any effect on bites.
Evidence published in the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin claims the bite remedies often packed by holidaymakers are unnecessary in many cases.
However, when bites cause an infection or anaphylactic shock then medical treatment is needed, the DTB said.
Treatment in such cases will likely be covered by a decent medical travel insurance policy, reminding travellers of the importance of such precautions.
But in many situations bite reactions are not severe enough to need medicine, the researchers found.
People are often advised to use antihistamine tablets to ease the itching of insect bites, however the scientists said this cannot be proven.
Other products recommended for itching and swelling include steroid creams and pills but there are no facts to back up their use, the DTB said.
The DTB concluded: "There is little evidence for the efficacy of treatments for simple insect bites. The symptoms are often self limiting and in many cases, no treatment may be needed."
The research used products that have not been licensed for use in the UK.
27 September 2016
Monarch Airlines says its flights are operating as normal amid fears the firm is in financial trouble.
[more...]
24 September 2016
Slim people who look physically healthy may still be at increased chance of being diagnosed with bowel cancer if they have raised insulin levels, according new research.
23 September 2016
Theresa May is being urged to give the go-ahead for flights to resume between the UK and Sharm el-Sheikh by the head of the cross-party parliamentary group on Egypt.
22 September 2016
Budget airline Jet2.com is to open its first base in the south of England at Stansted.
21 September 2016
Smoking rates have dropped to the lowest level on record in England, new figures show, suggesting messages about the health effects of cigarettes are hitting home.
20 September 2016
Concerns have been raised over flight disruptions caused by heavy drinking among passengers.
17 September 2016
British Airways' decision to launch direct flights from London to Tehran earlier this month positions Iran as one of the hottest destinations to visit in 2017, according to experts.
16 September 2016
More than 100 flights have been cancelled as French air traffic controllers go on strike again.
15 September 2016
Two thirds of MPs would support an expansion at Heathrow.
14 September 2016
TripAdvisor is launching a new homepage, making the booking of holiday activities and tours even easier.
13 September 2016
Travellers are to be charged to use fast lanes to get through passport checks in an attempt to cut queues.
09 September 2016
People travelling to regions affected by the Zika virus outbreak should practise safe sex for at least half a year upon their return, health leaders say.