Below are the 3 most recent journal entries recorded in travelnets101's InsaneJournal:

Sunday, January 15th, 2012
11:14 am	Use Hypersensitive Skin Products To Look After Allergy-Prone Skin Fragrance cosmetic products (including those containing essential oils) are the main trigger for allergic reactions in those with hypersensitive skin, because synthetic fragrances contain a wide variety of compounds. In order to avoid these adverse reactions, those with allergy-prone skin should follow a skincare regime comprising hypersensitive skin products which are fragrance-free. What is hypersensitive skin? Individuals who have hypersensitive skin should not be exposed to unfavourable environmental conditions, or follow a skincare regime that involves chemical-based products. Upon usage of these products their skin may thus suffer from multiple allergies or worsen chronic skin conditions they may already have (such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and dermatitis.) These skin conditions will get more irritated by chemical-based skin products. If they begin to use hypersensitive skin products however, it is likely that conditions can be improved and allergic reactions avoided. Hypersensitive skin products Especially formulated for those with hypersensitive skin, these products are free from fragrances and harsh chemicals. These hypersensitive skin products should be free from essential oils, added fragrances or scents and irritating substances. Parabens, phthalates and ethyl alcohol are amongst these irritating substances. Skin-care regime with hypersensitive skin products A skincare regime with hypersensitive skin products is the same as any regime – just with gentler products. Outlined below is an example of a typical regime using scent-free hypersensitive skin products: 1. Shower or bath with an organic base no scent shower gel. To begin your cleansing regime you should use a fragrance free shower gel suitable for hypersensitive skin. It should contain natural products such as aloe vera and yucca, kind to ultra sensitive skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth. A hypersensitive skin product like this should not contain sodium lauryl sulphate. 2. Use an organic base no scent hand and body lotion whilst skin is still moist. These hypersensitive skin products should contain a lot of Omega 6 and fatty acids which moisturise the skin. With gentle and natural ingredients such as hemp, avocado and aloe vera, natural lotions should restore the skin's moisture whilst being non-greasy and easily absorbed. These products should also be completely free from any harsh ingredients such as petrochemicals or phthalates. 3. Apply an organic base no scent deodorant to dry armpits. A natural deodorant that is amongst the hypersensitive skin products should not contain any artificial fragrances or ethyl alcohol. It should be gentle on the skin, whilst also being effective in preventing bacterial growth. Stay clear of deodorants that have aluminium in them as this ingredient contributes to the clogging of the skin's pores. A no-scent deodorant with natural ingredients such as witch hazel, olive leaf or aloe vera however should be sought after. 4. Cleanse the face and neck with an organic base no scent cleanser. When the body has been cared for with hypersensitive skin products it is essential to then target the neck and the face. Use fingertips to apply the facial cleanser in small circular movements and then wash off with warm water, or remove with tissue or cotton wool. Natural and gentle ingredients such as aloe vera and chamomile should be in the hypersensitive skin product and not irritants such as emulsifiers or essential oils. Hypersensitive skin products specifically formulated for the face and neck should be ultra-gentle, leaving skin feeling smooth with its moisture balance retained. Cleansers for the face can also be used to remove general make-up and eye make-up from hypersensitive skin. 5. Finish by applying a no scent 24 hour fragrance-free facial moisturiser. As the last part of this skincare regime, the face should be moisturised with hypersensitive skin products. A face cream that can be used morning and night is preferable so that your skin can be fed with vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients at all times. Mild ingredients like avocado or primrose will not irritate hypersensitive skin and will in turn boost its health. As with all other scent-free products, the moisturiser should be free from lanolin, petrochemicals and colourants. Therefore there is no limit on what you can do with hypersensitive skin products – you can follow the same skincare regime that you followed before – just without the undesired skin reactions. These products will also help calm skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. (Comment on this)
Sunday, December 11th, 2011
2:24 am	Mosquito Nets Keep You Protected Mosquito nets offer critical protection against a terrible disease. It is said that mosquitoes have killed more people than war. Their danger comes from their ability to transfer diseases and illnesses between humans. The elephantiasis-causing filariasis worm, yellow fever, various forms of encephalities and malaria can be transmitted by mosquitoes. Even today, between 1 and 3 million people die each year from malaria. Most of these deaths are children. Traditional bell nets are hung above a bed or sleeping area, with nets draping below and splaying out to cover either single or double beds (you will need to ensure beforehand that your net matches your size of bed). For bell, box and wedge nets which require hanging, the necessary hanging kit is supplied. All that is required is somewhere to attach them (e.g. a hook, beam or cord). Portable, freestanding mosquito nets are perfect for use with tents. If you are off camping or are else in a situation where a traditional net cannot be hung, then these provide the answer. Of course, if you are off travelling then you may not always know where it is you are going to be staying. Compact mosquito nets are the answer. They are small enough to be carried in backpacks or hand luggage; the perfect choice for those off travelling the globe or trekking around India. To make doubly sure of being protected from malaria, you'll need a net that is impregnated with insecticide. Long Lasting Impregnation (LLI) kills mosquitoes as soon as they land on the net. "Long Lasting" means 2 years; after that you will need to reimpregnate the net, but this is easily done. Draw the net through a solution of the anti-mosquito treatment and leave to dry. Mosquitoes bites are most likely to occure during the night, as this is when the insects are at their most active. If you are planning activities during the early morning or evening, it's still important to keep yourself protected by mosquitoes. You may be up and moving, but that won't stop them trying to bite. Head nets are made of a fine mesh that offers you clear vision while also keeping the mosquitoes off your face. Mosquito nets are also handy if you are in non-malarial zones. You may not be so at risk in the UK or France, but mosquitoes are still annoying. Non impregnated nets are available to keep the bugs off. When you're travelling in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia or the Americas, it is important you take a mosquito nets . Whether you are sleeping in a double bed in a single hotel or trekking through the mountains, sleeping beneath the stars every night, there is a net suitable for your needs. Malaria is a terrible problem, but there are straightforward steps you can take to avoid the worst of it. (Comment on this)
Saturday, November 19th, 2011
4:25 pm	Travel on a Healthy Tummy What are the best methods for treating drinking water abroad? This is a very common question amongst travellers who may not have access to clean drinking or bottled water. Boiling water is a tried and tested method, but is not always practical. Here we look at alternatives to boiling water. Chlorine dioxide tablets are probably the safest and most effective chemical water disinfectants around. They kill bacteria, viruses and cysts in water (including giardia and cryptosporidium). They can be used to treat drinking water, as well as water used for brushing your teeth and washing food. There's no need for additional neutralising tablets as chlorine dioxide tablets don't have any taste. The tablets can be used to treat as much as 30 litres of water and are safe for long term use. Iodine used to be a very common water treatment and was widely available to purchase in the UK. However, iodine is not being supported under the EU Biocides Directive and so most manufacturers have discontinued supplying iodine products since 2009. We now recommend using chlorine dioxide tablets; a great alternative. If you are not limited with space, try the handy Aquapure Traveller portable water purifier bottle. It utilises the latest M.A.D. (Mechanically Advanced Disinfection) Technology, a chemical free system that not only does a much better job than the original product, but also has a faster flow rate: all without chemicals. The bottle was designed to provide safe drinking water that tastes fine. Its filter cap will purify about 350 litres in the course of its lifetime, and is the only portable water purifier endorsed by the Hospital of Tropical Diseases London. It is kind to the environment; by using the Aquapure Traveller, you are helping the environment by not dumping 700 plastic bottles per filter. It is easy to use. There are no chemicals or complicated produces; you just fill it and drink. Aquapure Traveller eliminates bacteria and viruses such as E. Coli, polio, hepatitis A and others. It removes waterborne pathogens, such as giardia, cryptosporidium, etc. It purges toxic chemicals and heavy metals, and bad tastes, odours and sediment. It's the perfect solution for holiday makers, backpackers, trekkers, business travellers and, , anybody who needs access to pure, fresh water anywhere in the world. Replacement filters can be obtained and can be replaced by simply taking off the old cap and screwing on a another one. Bimuno Travelaid helps keep the tummy healthy while overseas. This exceptional patented formula has been specifically designed for travellers by international specialists in digestive health. Scientific analysis show that the unique second generation prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharide formulation of Bimuno Travelaid helps encourage and sustain a healthy level of your gut’s “good” bacteria (bifidobacteria) helping to prevent “bad bacteria” from becoming established. Furthermore, unlike other prebiotics, or indeed probiotics, it also has unique anti-adhesive properties, which help the body to drive out “bad” bacteria you might have consumed. By this combined effect of maintaining a favourable balance of “good” bacteria and preventing bad bacteria from finding a home you can keep your stomach healthy. Because the protective benefits of Travelaid build with time, it is recommended that you take the product for seven days before your departure and each day while you are abroad. Due to its effectiveness, Travelaid is recommended by a number of travel clinicians and Bimuno is an approved travel industry partner of ABTA. I hope you found this article about Chlorine tablets for water purification interesting and informative. (Comment on this)