A-Medic is a handy list of medical tips when touring

A-Medic is a very special page devoted to easy ways of overcoming the little problems that occur away from home

RASH PRECAUTIONS in the Tropics
There are lots of problems in the tropics that the glossy travel brochures fail to mention! One is the dreadful rashes you can get under your arms and worse in the crotch area. Once you have it, the rash spreads like crazy and seems to respond to nothing. The worse case we have even seen extended right down to a chaps knees and he couldn't walk - a building worker in Cairns. Enter Canesten the anti fungal ointment. Until a few years ago this was a prescription only medicine used basically to treat vaginal problems. Only the bravest guy would dare go ask for it! The latest version is a much weaker brew and can be bought over the counter for around $10.95 (often on special for $9.95 - chemist only line). We use it even as a precautionary measure when in the tropics. Avoiding nylon underwear and wet swimwear is a good move.

TIP:- Treat all cuts, abrasions, rashes immediately when in the tropics as all fester very quickly and before you know it become ulcerous - living in Cairns for 25 years you have to know this stuff to survive.

SANDFLY Bite Relief
We have been using this neat trick for years and it seems to work on just about all bites even those dreadful spitting caterpillars - ask Siggy Nowak! It was given to us by a hospital matron up on the Cape. Get yourself a spray bottle from Woolies/Coles ($2.00) and fill it with Ammonia. Just spray on the effected part. It stings like crazy if you have broken skin, so the trick is to apply BEFORE this happens. Best to check if you are allergic to it by putting a bit on a small area of skin as the labels ALWAYS say to avoid skin contact. The trick is to apply at the first sign of an itch. Cloudy ammonia doesn't seem to work near as well as it just doesn't have the same bite. Don't apply in a confined space as the smell tends to take your breath away!
NOTE: CMCA club members swear by a concoction made by a fellow member who manufactures Emu Oil products. WE will try this as soon as we can get hold of a sample.

NOTE: Use all remedies listed here at your own risk. They have worked for us and friends. Please send in your hints for inclusion.

PRESCRIPTIONS - Can you get them on the road?

There are lots of problems since the PBS went totally onto computer. You can't anticipate your prescription needs and get say six months supply as there are now strict rules on dispensing frequency. The old trick of getting a script filled a few days apart no longer works. You could run into trouble getting some drugs dispensed interstate using your home state prescription. The easiest way around this is of course to just obtain a repeat script from any bulk billing doctor in the state you are visiting. A letter from your normal doctor can make things easier. It could be a good move to discuss the alternatives with your doctor well before leaving to avoid creating stress and needing yet another script!