Health Tip for Travelers in Thailand

For those who enjoy traveling and love the sea and mountains, physical fitness is a necessity. To ensure a smoother adventure preparing your body at least one week ahead of the trip is recommended.

If however you become unfortunate and become injured during any of your outings and end up with wounds here is some basic wound know-how.

Wounds that you can treat by yourself are as follows:
Minor scratches or shallow abrasions that have no embedded dirt or sand.
Shallow lacerations less than 1 cm long, and again without embedded dirt or sand.
Wounds that have healed for a day or two and are healing well will appear less inflamed (red), hurt less, are dry, not oozy or have any pus, and you will have no fever.

The appropriate way to clean a wound is to clean out the dirt and sand with water or soap water. After you have thoroughly cleansed the wound use 70% alcohol or Betadine. If the wound is large you should cover it with a gauze bandage. However if the wound is small you don't have to cover it just let it breathe. Keep your wounds dry, keep away from getting wet. If you do get wet, redo the dressing ASAP. Also if possible a course of antibiotics to kill off any germs you may have contracted during your injury is also recommended.

Wounds that must be seen by a doctor are as follows:
Abrasions larger than 5 cm that have deeply embedded dirt and sand.
Lacerations larger than 1 cm since suturing may be necessary.
Animal bites from dogs, cats, squirrels, monkeys, snakes, or tigers.
Healed wounds that have become more inflamed, have pus, hurt more, or a fever has started to run.