Health Risks Involved in Trekking and How to Avoid Them

An unexpected illness or injury can ruin your whole trekking experience. Anybody who has taken precautionary measures can catch any allergic illness or injury during a trek. Reading trekking tips and tricks before you go on your trek gives you an upper hand over unexpected circumstances.

But, we got your back. Here are the most common health risks involved in trekking and how to avoid them. Read these will make you able to think on your feet while you trek.

1. Water

Swimming in the wild is a lot of fun, but safety first

• Do not swim while doing mountain trekking to avoid hypothermia. Swim on your tropical treks only.
• Do not swim alone, always do it with a partner or a group
• Don’t jump in. Put your feet first, feel the water temperature, the depth and what your feet encounters in a minute’s stay
• Never leave your floatation gear behind
• If you are under Influence of alcoholic drink, avoid swimming.
• Always wear fleet shoes to avoid foot injury from floating pieces in the water or the debris underwater.
• Always keep extra pair of pants and jackets. If you don’t have a pair of extra clothes, don’t jump in.

• If you are not sure of the source of the water, don’t drink it directly
• Always boil the water before drinking it.
• Filter the water using a cloth
• Take water from a running water source, river, stream, etc.

2. UV Radiation

Heat exhaustion, dehydration, headache, heat stroke, weakness, nausea, sweating, vomiting are some of the consequences of direct sun exposure for a long time. If you experience any of these, go in the shade, remove excess clothing, rehydrate.
Things can go worse if you don’t take precautions on time. Fever can rise up to 104, skin can go hot and dry, lethargic, seizures. Take immediate medical assistance in such cases.

3. Plants

Trekking is not a walk in your garden where you are familiar with all the plants. There are poisonous versions of plants in the wild which you need to avoid. Wear long socks, pants, shoes. Don’t let your exposed skin get in touch with those plants. This can result in instant itching, red streaks, rashes and allergies. Wash the exposed skin with soap, or an antiseptic. Treat the infected part with antihistamines or calamine. Follow these trekking tips and tricks so you can enjoy your trek.

4. Food safety

Keeping the food safe is an art. To keep the food safe for longer time then follow this simple method

• Keep hot food hot (Above 60 Degree Celsius)
• Keep cold food cool (below 4 Degree Celsius)
• Store cooked food separate from raw food

If you keep the food inter-mixed with each other or not at the adequate temperature, then they are likely to catch bacteria which can cause you food poisoning. And, catching food poisoning on a trek is Far away from Fun.

5. Insects, Spiders, & Snakes

Don’t get shocked if you come across some species of reptiles that you’ve not seen before. Remember, this time you are in their home.

• Avoid wearing colognes, deodorants, perfumes
• Avoid floral prints to avoid insects’ attention.
• Cover your body – full length sleeves, neck, head, ears
• Don’t walk barefoot

Treat the insect bite with ibuprofen, Tylenol, or antihistamine and apply a pack of ice for up to 20 minutes. If you are already allergic to insects, always carry your regular medicine.

6. Fire in the Hole!

Campfires are definitely fun, but there have been incidents where people wearing loose clothes sit near the campfire and their clothes caught fire.

• Don’t sit too near the campfire.
• Do not wear loose clothes
• Don’t bring anything near fire that catches fire quickly.
• Have the fire extinguisher nearby

In case your body clothes have caught fire, lie on the ground and start rolling and back and forth on the part of the cloth that has caught fire. If your body has faced the mild burns, dip it in cold water for about 15 minutes. If anything more severe has happened, seek medical assistance asap.

These trekking tips and tricks are for you put in your system so that you are ready for any situation you face on your trek.

Keep Visiting Trailaider for more Trekking Tips and Tricks.