Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [44]
5 Health
STAYING HEALTHY
Hawaii is one of the healthiest states in the union. You do not need any special vaccinations or medications before you come here.
One thing you should know before you arrive is that Hawaii mandates health care insurance for all employees, so most medical facilities (hospitals, doctor’s offices, and the like) are used to dealing with insurance companies, HMOs, and such. If you are uninsured, some doctors will not treat you. If you have medical insurance, be sure to bring your insurance card with you.
Pack prescription medications in your carry-on luggage. Carry written prescriptions in generic form, not brand name form, and dispense all prescription medications from their original labeled vials. If you wear contact lenses, pack an extra pair in case you lose one.
Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know about Sharks
The Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources has launched a website with more information than you probably wanted to know about sharks: www.hawaiisharks.com. The site has the biology, history, and culture of these carnivores, plus information on safety and data on shark bites in Hawaii.
COMMON AILMENTS
Below are the types of “critters” we have on land in Kauai and at sea that you might run into and how to handle bites, scratches, and such.
On Land
As in any tropical climate, there are lots of bugs in Kauai. Most of them won’t harm you. However, three insects—mosquitoes, centipedes, and scorpions—do sting, and they can cause anything from mild annoyance to severe swelling and pain.
MOSQUITOES These pesky insects aren’t native to Hawaii but arrived as larvae stowed away in the water barrels on the ship Wellington in 1826. There’s not a whole lot you can do about them, except apply repellent or burn mosquito punk or citronella candles to keep them out of your area. If they’ve bitten you, head to the drugstore for sting-stopping ointments (antihistamine creams like Benadryl or homeopathic creams like Sting Stop or Florasone); they’ll ease the itching and swelling. Most bites disappear in anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
CENTIPEDES These segmented insects with a jillion legs come in two varieties: 6- to 8-inch brown ones and the smaller 2- to 3-inch blue guys; both can really pack a wallop with their sting. Centipedes are generally found in damp places, like under wood piles or compost heaps. Wearing closed-toe shoes can help prevent stings if you accidentally unearth a centipede. If you’re stung, the reaction can range from something similar to a mild bee sting to severe pain; apply ice at once to prevent swelling. See a doctor if you experience extreme pain, swelling, nausea, or any other severe reaction.
SCORPIONS Rarely seen, scorpions are found in arid, warm regions; their stings can be serious. Campers in dry areas should always check their boots before putting them on, and shake out sleeping bags and bedrolls. Symptoms of a scorpion sting include shortness of breath, hives, swelling, and nausea. In the unlikely event that you’re stung, apply diluted household ammonia and cold compresses to the area of the sting, and seek medical attention immediately.
Ocean Safety
Because most people coming to Kauai are unfamiliar with the ocean environment, they’re often unaware of the natural hazards it holds. But with just a few precautions, your ocean experience can be a safe and happy one. An excellent book to get is All Stings Considered: First Aid and Medical Treatment of Hawaii’s Marine Injuries (University of Hawaii Press, 1997), by Craig Thomas (an emergency-medicine doctor) and Susan Scott (a registered nurse). These avid water people have put together the authoritative book on first aid for Hawaii’s marine injuries.