Suffering on holiday - such a lightweight

[Theolittle]

This is more about me being a lightweight in coping with life but does anyone else struggle too?

it was day 3 yesterday in Spain. I’d walked 15k plus the first couple of days to get to final resort, after a city stop off, in trainers and not unusual for me. Went out in flip flops yesterday and got blisters on the bottom of my feet (8,5k steps total). Thought a paddle in the sea might help but got sand in one big blister (over an inch square) and it was super painful walking the 1k home after that. Had to cut open the blister to wash sand out - very painful last night so didn’t go out and hobbling round apartment. Still painful this morning -although much improved - don’t think I can walk around today though

Then the bites- I’ve used lots of different repellants on previous holidays which never work for me and this holiday trying Avon skin so soft. Didn’t put it on during the day though as had sun tan lotion on. Have 5 big bites and lots of small. Using cortisol antihistamine lots which takes the edge off but still super itchy and inflamed. My hand particularly bad last night was just one big mass of itching.

Then had to hobble to the loo during the night with the squitz🤦🏼‍♀️.

This is only the start of day 4 and I’ve got a week to go! Previous holidays the bites get worse and worse as the holiday goes on and it’s only when I get back to the cool of the UK that relieves them

Would be nice to have any tips but also to know it’s not just me!

Take anti-histamines and ensure you put an antiseptic cream on any bites.

if you are going to walk on holiday wear proper shoes - decent walking trainers and double layer socks or walking sandals (we walk a lot on holiday and I always take a well broken in pair of Birkenstocks). Never wear flipflops to go on long walks.

Vaseline wherever shoes are rubbing is a good way to avoid blisters.

sorry I missed this! Thank you very much! I’ll give those things a try.
really helpful!!

I mean it was all okay, just frustrating things really and really impacted on things we had booked and planned. I really do adore her, I see her regularly at home but just an evening out or a short day trip. I’ve come to realise she’s a bit of a hypochondriac and never happier than when she has an ailment whereas I’ll happily ignore every warning sign my body throws at me to just plough on regardless. Neither way is right or wrong, just different personalities really.
Ive had skin falling off my feet with blisters and not stopped because I don’t want to ruin someone else’s day. Whelts weeping with chub rub and I’ll just keep moving. Yes I’ve been uncomfortable and in pain at times but I don’t want to miss out or make anyone else miss out because of my poor preparation!
Like I said, just different outlooks - I’ll put up with discomfort and pain to make the most of an opportunity.
Obviously if you’ve got a dodgy tummy though you really do need to stay by a toilet!!

I spend a lot of time whenever I go on holiday reflecting on how very English I am. I get bitten by everything and anything, my fingers & legs swell and I catch the sun very. I will also have spend weeks selecting and wearing in shoes and then carefully monitoring my feet for any sign of blisters. Meanwhile DH is skipping around without a care in the world in the shoes he ordered off Amazon the day before we travelled and doesn’t even try on as “they said they were a size 11, of course they’ll fit”.
I wear a hat & factor 50 at all times, go for long sleeves & trousers in the evenings, cover myself in Deet from
about 4pm, take anti-histamines & anti-inflammatories daily and then drink a lot
of water.

In future from at least 6 weeks before going abroad get some high strength acidophilus (keep it in the fridge) it fills your stomach with good bacteria so you tend to not get ill.

You just need the right shoes, compeed plasters etc, a tonne of jungle formula on your next trip. Chalk it up as experience and add these to your holiday packing list.
Also consider using the odd Uber, hop on hop off bus, boat trip if you feel your feet are rubbing or you are getting knackered. It is meant to be a holiday.

Interesting! I have tried psyllium husk recently for gut bacteria and general fibre but jury is out on that. Will look at acidophilus

You’re not a lightweight but next year go to Blackpool instead.

All my life I've had holidays ruined by blisters. I tried everything. Well fitting shoes and socks, never flip flops but in every case by day 5 of a holiday I would have literally dozens of blisters on my toes and feet. I do walk regularly but quite a bit more on holiday but I had this from being a small child and I'm in my 60s now. Saw podiatrist but nothing helped, not compared, vaseline, surgical spirit etc.
Then two years ago on MN someone recommended lanacane anti chafe gel. I think it's meant to stop thighs rubbing, presume for cyclists. It's miraculous it's so effective. I don't know if there's a none branded version, but I now take several tubes on holiday.

As to bites I would never trust a "gentle, natural" solution. Hard core deet and I don't care if you can smell it a mile off.

This!

The spoon trick is weird but it bloody works. I’ve used it today on 3 bites. It is a few seconds of pain but then it’s instant itch relief.

I have not been ill abroad abdbtsjebitbdailt. As it’s next to my milk in the fridge I remember to take it.

Go to a Spanish chemist they’re really good.

@Theolittle my brother lives in Canada and used to get bitten alive when cyclocross training in the forests in summer - he started taking one of the more obscure B vitamins on it's own, not as part of a complex or anything and never gets bitten now! Will try and find out which one it was and let you know

Not much help to you this time, but my DIL bought a zapper thing for mozzie bites which was very effective. You have to use it before you scratch (not on broken skin). I think she got it from Amazon.

Agree with others in respect of walking sandals and oral anti-histamines. We tend to use Smidge (bought initially for highland midges), plus this year I bought some bracelets/anklets.

Hope you are now feeling a bit better and enjoying your holiday .

Don't walk 8.5 k in flip flops, they are just beach shoes. Get some decent sandals

I use Savlon bite and sting gel for bites, as others have said take an antihistamine every day bitten or not. I use Superdrug’s own Deet if there are mozzies about. Boots do a sun lotion and after sun containing insect repellent if you need something gentler, Can’t speak for how effective it is though.