What Medicine/ointments Etc To Bring For Freediving In Remote Area In Asia?

[boleslav]

Hello,
we are going on snorkeling vacation to less known area in Indonesia.
As this is a place where to get some pills, antibiotic ointments etc, may be either a difficult or not as good quality as we are used to, I would like to be a bit proactive and check what potential health issues can arise and are associated with freediving/ snorkeling.

So far I have on my list to bring:
sunscreen
antibiotic ointment for ear infection
antibiotic ointment for eye infection
???

Would like to hear your ideas and suggestions of potential issues related to these water sports.
Thank you

 

[JohnN]

Z-pack (Azithromycin) for stomach bugs. Bacteria in SE Asia are resistant to Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) (Thank you India!!)
Keflex (cephalexin) for skin infections
DEET
Imodium

 

[Tippytoes12]

I have been visiting Indonesia since 1990 , in recent years for diving to remote parts like Komodo and Raja Ampat . I have never needed anything stronger than paracetamol or DEET. I am also a healthcare professional and would say that antibiotics for relatively young and otherwise healthy travellers are completely unnecessary. Many western medicines are tested for stability only to 25 degrees , so may well not be effective at all.

Just my opinion....others may have different views.

 

[JohnN]

I have been visiting Indonesia since 1990 , in recent years for diving to remote parts like Komodo and Raja Ampat . I have never needed anything stronger than paracetamol or DEET. I am also a healthcare professional and would say that antibiotics for relatively young and otherwise healthy travellers are completely unnecessary. Many western medicines are tested for stability only to 25 degrees , so may well not be effective at all.

Just my opinion....others may have different views.

Good luck bucko. A few years ago (we were on a honeymoon in Pemuteran) we got an "e.coli from hell" case. It knocked both of us out for 4 days (like laying on the bed unable to move knocked out). That was with cipro (effective, but not as effective as z-pack

As a 'heath care professional", I'm guessing you've never seen what in North America would be a minor skin infection, go very nasty in the tropics.

Both Z-pack and Keflex are generic now and very cheap insurance.

As for temperature stability:
Z-pack: Stability and thermophysical properties of azithromycin dihydrate
Keflex: Kinetics of degradation and stability studies of cephalexin suspensions marketed in Nigeria

 

[Adelaar Cruises]

The two most common problems we see are dehydration and ear infections. There are simple, inexpensive preventatives you can pick up before your departure at your local pharmacy.

Without a doubt dehydration is the biggest problem we see on dive trips, excessive plain water can expedite the depletion of electrolytes. So take Oralit or some other type of rehydration packs, if you can’t find any get powdered Gatoraid. Start drinking this the night before you’re scheduled to fly, the dry air in the planes suck the moisture right out of you. Drink them regularly, especially on a tropical dive holiday! Ask at the resort/homestay for kelapa muda (young coconut) and drink the juice, it's refreshing and natures best source of electrolytes.

Make up a bottle of ear juice or buy swimmer’s ear drops. Indonesian waters tons of nutrients in the water, they feed our reefs and soft corals. These nutrients love to find warm, wet, & dark places to grow, unfortunately, our ears are the perfect place. With a fresh water rinse, followed by a drop in each ear after your dive you’ll stop them before they cause a problem. On a average dive trip, I wouldn’t worry too much about prolonged use, you may get a little dry ear from the mix after daily use; my ear specialist says mine are fine, “just a little chapped”.

Make sure you bring Ibuprofen, often times the eustachian tubes get a little inflamed from all that pressure and equalizing. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory that can help. Word of caution here, it is best to use the Ibuprofen at night so the pain relieving effects do not cause you to over-equalize.

Have a wonderful snorkeling adventure and be ready to be amazed with Indonesia, it's a special place above and below.

Cheers,

 

[Nettie-NZ]

Iodine! Works great on cuts/ grazes including and as an antiseptic is a better first line option than an antibiotic.
Definitely take electrolyte sachets/tabs, but definitely got to agree that if you can get a cold young coconut is going to be an excellent alternative and much nicer!

 

[Nettie-NZ]

Where in Indo are you going?

 

[clownfishsydney]

If you have some antibiotics or can get a script from your doctor, always handy to have in case you get an infection from coral etc.

 

[Altamira]

I would add some prescription heavy duty pain pills such as Tramadol or Hydrocodone. I got an abscessed tooth on a trip one time, and if I did not have the pain meds, I would have been climbing the walls. If you have never had an abscessed tooth, trust me that you are going to want the strongest pain killer in your medicine chest.

 

[uncfnp]

Good luck bucko. A few years ago (we were on a honeymoon in Pemuteran) we got an "e.coli from hell" case. It knocked both of us out for 4 days (like laying on the bed unable to move knocked out). That was with cipro (effective, but not as effective as z-pack

As a 'heath care professional", I'm guessing you've never seen what in North America would be a minor skin infection, go very nasty in the tropics.

Both Z-pack and Keflex are generic now and very cheap insurance.

As for temperature stability:
Z-pack: Stability and thermophysical properties of azithromycin dihydrate
Keflex: Kinetics of degradation and stability studies of cephalexin suspensions marketed in Nigeria

JohnN. FYI. Regarding diarrhea caused by E. Coli

Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic Staff

For illness caused by E. coli, no current treatments can cure the infection, relieve symptoms or prevent complications. For most people, treatment includes:

• Rest
• Fluids to help prevent dehydration and fatigue

Avoid taking an anti-diarrheal medication — this slows your digestive system down, preventing your body from getting rid of the toxins. Antibiotics generally aren't recommended because they can increase the risk of serious complications.

If you have a serious E. coli infection that has caused hemolytic uremic syndrome, you'll be hospitalized and given supportive care, including IV fluids, blood transfusions and kidney dialysis.

--------------------

Also, from an article on E. Coli 0157:H7 infections in Medscape

"McGannon et al found that antibiotics that target DNA synthesis, such as ciprofloxacin (CIP) and TMP/SMZ, showed increased Shiga toxin production, whereas antibiotics that target the cell wall, transcription, or translation did not.[6] Remarkably, high levels of Shiga toxin were detected even when growth of O157:H7 was completely suppressed by CIP."