specific Doxy advice

Pookstar · Oct 23rd, 2004, 21:25

Having read all the previous comments on this (very interesting reading...) I just have a few unanswered questions - hope you can help!

1. Being a fair skinned red-head will I be more prone to the skin hypersensitivity? Is it really as bad as it seems and can you go in the sun at all?

2. My partner has asthma - is he likely to have trouble with his chest taking this?

2. We'll be in Mumbai for 3 days and Goa for the remainder of our 2 week stay (end Nov-early Dec). Are these places very rife with mossies at this time of year?

4. Anyone know what the actual odds are of actually contracting Malaria in South India?

wonderwomanusa · Oct 24th, 2004, 00:43

1. A fair-skinned redhead is going to fry in the Indian sun so it's hard to say what effect doxycycline will make on your current sensitivity. It didn't appear to affect me in that way, but I have Mediterranean coloring and don't burn very often. I did not use sunblock -- but I also didn't spend much time sitting around in the sun.

2. Your partner should ask his physician about how any meds will affect his asthma. it wouldn't be really bright in this case, to rely on anecdotal "evidence" from other travellers.

4. It's your life; you can play the "odds" if you are a gambler. It only takes ONE infected mosquito bite to ruin that aforementioned life -- it's up to you.

sshekhar · Oct 24th, 2004, 03:23

My background: I am an East Indian living in the US (have pretty bad asthma).

1. Being a fair skinned red-head will I be more prone to the skin hypersensitivity? Is it really as bad as it seems and can you go in the sun at all?
--> I had an Australian Padre (in a Jesuit School I went to). He had a very sensitive skin. He lived in India for the past 30 years without any sun-blocks (never had any issues). Just took precautions, like wear full-sleeve shirts and a hat at most times. South Indian sun is not as bad as North Indian sun and around the time you are going it will be much more pleasant.

2. My partner has asthma - is he likely to have trouble with his chest taking this?
--> I have pretty bad asthma but medicine and health-care in India is very good. You get all sorts of salbutamol inhalers (Intal in UK is available as a generic called Fintal in India) as well as preventives. I have pretty bad dust allergies so had to cover my mouth with wet-towels in such areas. Otherwise it's not too much trouble.

2. We'll be in Mumbai for 3 days and Goa for the remainder of our 2 week stay (end Nov-early Dec). Are these places very rife with mossies at this time of year?
--> Don't know anything about Bombay or Goa..

4. Anyone know what the actual odds are of actually contracting Malaria in South India?
--> In general tropical areas have more issues with mosquitoes. South is more tropical and north is more or less temperate. However, the coasts never have too much of mosquitoes (for some reason). Seen more mosquitoes in Florida outdoors than in India.

Hope this helps

edwardseco · Oct 24th, 2004, 11:45

I get the sun sensitivity but get over it in a week or 2. I would much rather have that small nuissance than what I got from not taking it..

guerik · Oct 25th, 2004, 05:46

I have very fair skin and didn't have any problems with sun sensitivity, but I really piled on the sunscreen most of the time. I found my eyes were a bit more sensitive but that may have been my imagination or just spending more time outside than usual

shelly · Oct 31st, 2004, 14:14

Hi pookstar with that complexion, you should think about asking your doctor for another choice of antimalarial tablets. Doxy is not the only option. There are different options to suit the needs of different people. If you do take doxy, I suggest covering up as much as you can with long sleeved cottons (this will also provide added protection from the mozzies!) You should also apply sunscreen factor 60 to your face or any exposed areas and wear a hat/cap to further protect your face.

Doxy should be no problem at all for your partner's asthma. The dust and pollution in india may be more of a problem so make sure he has all his necessary inhalers with him. Its best not to change brand so its best if he takes up enough for his whole trip. Some people find that different brands of salbutamol for example dont have the same efficacy.

The risk of malaria is lower in winter than it is during or after the monsoon, however there is a risk of malaria all over India so matter where you go and how many mozzies are around I strongly believe in having a great time but taking the necessary precautions as somone already mentioned it only takes a single infected mozzie to give you malaria.

vistet · Oct 31st, 2004, 18:56

Quote:

Its best not to change brand ... Some people find that different brands of salbutamol for example dont have the same efficacy.

There is no chemical difference between different preparations : 5 mg of substance x is the same no matter the company label.

(in the case of asthma : changing delivery device (turbohalers etc) is another matter )

shelly · Oct 31st, 2004, 19:13

Yes the chemical would be the same but the other ingredients such as the propellant in the case of an inhaler may differ slightly and some people may notice a difference in their symptom control. Best not to take any chances while on holiday

mira4bai4 · Nov 1st, 2004, 08:39

Avoid the stuff and go for Qinghao (worrmwood).

Oct 23rd, 2004, 21:25	#1
Pookstar Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: London, UK Posts: 60	specific Doxy advice Having read all the previous comments on this (very interesting reading...) I just have a few unanswered questions - hope you can help! 1. Being a fair skinned red-head will I be more prone to the skin hypersensitivity? Is it really as bad as it seems and can you go in the sun at all? 2. My partner has asthma - is he likely to have trouble with his chest taking this? 2. We'll be in Mumbai for 3 days and Goa for the remainder of our 2 week stay (end Nov-early Dec). Are these places very rife with mossies at this time of year? 4. Anyone know what the actual odds are of actually contracting Malaria in South India?

Oct 24th, 2004, 03:23	#3
sshekhar Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 131	Doxy Advice My background: I am an East Indian living in the US (have pretty bad asthma). 1. Being a fair skinned red-head will I be more prone to the skin hypersensitivity? Is it really as bad as it seems and can you go in the sun at all? --> I had an Australian Padre (in a Jesuit School I went to). He had a very sensitive skin. He lived in India for the past 30 years without any sun-blocks (never had any issues). Just took precautions, like wear full-sleeve shirts and a hat at most times. South Indian sun is not as bad as North Indian sun and around the time you are going it will be much more pleasant. 2. My partner has asthma - is he likely to have trouble with his chest taking this? --> I have pretty bad asthma but medicine and health-care in India is very good. You get all sorts of salbutamol inhalers (Intal in UK is available as a generic called Fintal in India) as well as preventives. I have pretty bad dust allergies so had to cover my mouth with wet-towels in such areas. Otherwise it's not too much trouble. 2. We'll be in Mumbai for 3 days and Goa for the remainder of our 2 week stay (end Nov-early Dec). Are these places very rife with mossies at this time of year? --> Don't know anything about Bombay or Goa.. 4. Anyone know what the actual odds are of actually contracting Malaria in South India? --> In general tropical areas have more issues with mosquitoes. South is more tropical and north is more or less temperate. However, the coasts never have too much of mosquitoes (for some reason). Seen more mosquitoes in Florida outdoors than in India. Hope this helps

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Oct 24th, 2004, 00:43	#2
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,203	1. A fair-skinned redhead is going to fry in the Indian sun so it's hard to say what effect doxycycline will make on your current sensitivity. It didn't appear to affect me in that way, but I have Mediterranean coloring and don't burn very often. I did not use sunblock -- but I also didn't spend much time sitting around in the sun. 2. Your partner should ask his physician about how any meds will affect his asthma. it wouldn't be really bright in this case, to rely on anecdotal "evidence" from other travellers. 4. It's your life; you can play the "odds" if you are a gambler. It only takes ONE infected mosquito bite to ruin that aforementioned life -- it's up to you.

Oct 24th, 2004, 11:45	#4
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,750	I get the sun sensitivity but get over it in a week or 2. I would much rather have that small nuissance than what I got from not taking it..

Oct 25th, 2004, 05:46	#5
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,039	I have very fair skin and didn't have any problems with sun sensitivity, but I really piled on the sunscreen most of the time. I found my eyes were a bit more sensitive but that may have been my imagination or just spending more time outside than usual

Oct 31st, 2004, 14:14	#6
shelly Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: MALTA Posts: 46	Hi pookstar with that complexion, you should think about asking your doctor for another choice of antimalarial tablets. Doxy is not the only option. There are different options to suit the needs of different people. If you do take doxy, I suggest covering up as much as you can with long sleeved cottons (this will also provide added protection from the mozzies!) You should also apply sunscreen factor 60 to your face or any exposed areas and wear a hat/cap to further protect your face. Doxy should be no problem at all for your partner's asthma. The dust and pollution in india may be more of a problem so make sure he has all his necessary inhalers with him. Its best not to change brand so its best if he takes up enough for his whole trip. Some people find that different brands of salbutamol for example dont have the same efficacy. The risk of malaria is lower in winter than it is during or after the monsoon, however there is a risk of malaria all over India so matter where you go and how many mozzies are around I strongly believe in having a great time but taking the necessary precautions as somone already mentioned it only takes a single infected mozzie to give you malaria.

Oct 31st, 2004, 19:13	#8
shelly Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: MALTA Posts: 46	Yes the chemical would be the same but the other ingredients such as the propellant in the case of an inhaler may differ slightly and some people may notice a difference in their symptom control. Best not to take any chances while on holiday

Nov 1st, 2004, 08:39	#9
mira4bai4 Lost in Space Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ND PaharGanj Permanently/Temporarily Posts: 1,179	Avoid the stuff and go for Qinghao (worrmwood).

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