Cancun health issues

[merrillkloter]

Anyone have any health problems in Cancun? My wife is concerned and wants us to take precautions against malaria but I have not seen any issues with that in Cancun. Mostly she is concerned with going to the cenotes and getting bit by mosquitoes.

 

[TSandM]

According to the CDC malaria risk site, malarial risk in Mexico is limited to a few isolated areas, and although one is in Quintana Roo, it's along the Belize border. No risk is identified in the coastal resort areas.

Do take mosquito repellent, though, as the mosquitoes are thick and aggressive. You may not get malaria, but you may spend the rest of the trip clawing yourself to pieces (BTDT).

 

[ben@scorpiodivers.com]

obey the mexican diet, tequila and chiles will work just fine!

 

[TSandM]

Tequila and chiles didn't work for me! I almost never get bitten, and I looked like I had chickenpox by the time I left for home

 

[sarita75]

Most people recommend refraining from eating bananas and wearing anything with a scent (perfumes, laundry detergents, etc). Following this, I've been pretty lucky when when travelling aronud Mexico I have ALWAYS worn repellant, especially if visiting archaeological sites, cenotes (or other standing waters), small towns, etc. Basically, any place not touristy.

As for malaria - I haven't ever had any issues and have visited and lived down there - all over the Yucatan. However, I have had "montezumas" which might be water related or due to overexposure to the sun. Regardless, the Mexican pharmacies don't really require prescriptions to get prescription medications. Its great if you get sick - just remember if you have any allergies.

 

[chickdiver]

Adventure Medical Kits - First aid kits and survival tools for wilderness medicine, family outings, and travel.

Get the Ultrathon cream. It does the job and stays on for long periods of time, even sweating your rear end off in the jungle. On the downside, it's very thick, and it makes you hot. I don't see it on the page now, but several years ago I also purchased permethrin spray from these guys. The spray is not for use on you, but rather your clothes. Treat them before you go.

As an aside, these guys also have nice, compact first aid kits, appropriate for your basic band-aids and ibruprofen types to kits for people with real medical training that include suture kits and the like.

 

[sarita75]

obey the mexican diet, tequila and chiles will work just fine!

Yeah, follow the diet and you won't get bit because you will be in the restroom the entire time! Free from mosquitos. buahahaha!

Another product that I used and liked was BuzzAway - a natural citronella product that you apply to your skin. Generally can be bought at most natural stores - WholeFoods, etc. Works great for me - and I don't like Deet products.

 

[bisugo767]

Hi, I have been going back to the Cancun and Cozumel during Nov. and Dec. for the last three years and we have never been bitten by mosquitos. Probably because the resorts fumigate regularly or because it was windy enough during our stay that the mosquitos just get blown away. Anyway, to play it safe, get you malaria shots. As for mosquito bites, here's advice from someone who grew up in a place where there are a lot of mosquitos: Use Vicks Vapor Rub to soothe the itch. You will have to rub it in well for it to be effective. Some scientists say that mosquitos are attracted to you because of your smell and your smell depends on your diet. When my wife and I visit a tropical country, sometimes I get bitten but she doesn't. On other trips, she gets bitten but I don't. So, I do not really know what attracts them to us humans. We try to avoid using chemicals like OFF on our skins just because of their nature being synthetic chemicals (not safe even if the manufacturer says otherwise). Since both me and my wife grew up in the tropics, we are used to shaking our legs and arms once in a while to drive any mosquitos away (force of habit).

 

[merrillkloter]

obey the mexican diet, tequila and chiles will work just fine!

Hey Ben,
Sounds like good advice. I will be expecting plenty of tequila and chiles when you bring us to dos ochos in Jan.

Merrill