Health Guide
Practical health information for visitors and locals in Arugam Bay and Sri Lanka.
Featured articles
Common Illnesses
Eye Stye (Hordeolum) in Arugam Bay: Why It Happens Here and How to Treat It
Heat, sweat, sunscreen, and sandy hands make eye styes common in Arugam Bay. Here's how to tell a stye from conjunctivitis and when it needs more than a warm compress.
7 min read
Surfing Injuries
Sea Lice (Seabather's Eruption): The Itchy Rash After Swimming in Arugam Bay
That itchy rash under your rash vest after a swim isn't fleas or bugs in your bed. Here's what seabather's eruption actually is and how to treat it.
6 min read
Common Illnesses
Boils and Skin Abscesses in Arugam Bay: When They Need to Be Drained
Heat, sweat, and sand turn a blocked hair follicle into a painful boil fast in Arugam Bay. Here's how to tell a boil from a pimple and when it needs draining.
7 min read
All articles
Common Illnesses
Eye Stye (Hordeolum) in Arugam Bay: Why It Happens Here and How to Treat It
Heat, sweat, sunscreen, and sandy hands make eye styes common in Arugam Bay. Here's how to tell a stye from conjunctivitis and when it needs more than a warm compress.
7 min read
Surfing Injuries
Sea Lice (Seabather's Eruption): The Itchy Rash After Swimming in Arugam Bay
That itchy rash under your rash vest after a swim isn't fleas or bugs in your bed. Here's what seabather's eruption actually is and how to treat it.
6 min read
Common Illnesses
Boils and Skin Abscesses in Arugam Bay: When They Need to Be Drained
Heat, sweat, and sand turn a blocked hair follicle into a painful boil fast in Arugam Bay. Here's how to tell a boil from a pimple and when it needs draining.
7 min read
Surfing Injuries
Fish Hook Injuries in Arugam Bay: Safe Removal and When to See Us
Fish hooks turn up on beach paths, boat yards, and tackle near the harbour in Arugam Bay. Here's safe first aid, why barbed hooks need a clinic, and when to come in.
7 min read
Surfing Injuries
Contact Lenses in Arugam Bay: Surfing, Salt Water, and Infection Risk
Wearing contacts while you surf in Arugam Bay? Here's the real risk — corneal infection from lagoon and salt water — and how to wear lenses safely on a surf trip.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Blood Thinners and Anticoagulants While Traveling in Arugam Bay: Bleeding Risk, Reef Cuts, and What to Watch For
On warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, or clopidogrel? Here's what changes in Arugam Bay — reef cuts, NSAID interactions, and the bleeding warning signs to know.
8 min read
Traveler Health
High Blood Pressure Medication While Traveling in Arugam Bay: Heat, Dehydration, and Staying on Schedule
Managing high blood pressure in Arugam Bay's heat: why readings often drop here, how to keep your medication schedule, and warning signs to watch for.
7 min read
Common Illnesses
Giardia and Intestinal Parasites After Travel in Sri Lanka: When Diarrhea Won't Go Away
Most traveler's diarrhea clears in a few days. If yours has dragged on for a week or more, with bloating and no appetite, a parasite like Giardia could be why.
7 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Shallow Water Blackout: The Hidden Risk of Breath-Holding in Arugam Bay's Surf and Lagoon
Breath-holding games in the lagoon or surf can trigger shallow water blackout, a silent drowning risk with no warning signs. Here's how it happens and how to prevent it.
6 min read
Surfing Injuries
Neck and Spinal Injuries After a Surfing Wipeout in Arugam Bay: Red Flags and What Not to Do
A hard wipeout onto a sandbar or reef can injure the neck or spine. Here's how to tell a strain from a red flag, what never to do, and when to call 1990.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Chest Pain in Arugam Bay: When It's Nothing and When It's an Emergency
Chest pain in Arugam Bay is usually muscle strain, reflux, or anxiety — but some causes are emergencies. Here's how to tell the difference and when to call 1990.
8 min read
Traveler Health
Feeling Sick After You Get Home From Sri Lanka? When to See a Doctor
Fever, stomach trouble, or fatigue after leaving Sri Lanka? Here's what can show up days or weeks later, and why you should always mention your trip to a doctor.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Blocked Ears and Sinus Pain From Flying or Diving: Barotrauma Explained
Painful, blocked ears after your flight in or a dive trip from Arugam Bay? That's barotrauma. Here's why it happens, how to clear it, and when to see us.
7 min read
Common Illnesses
Heartburn and Acid Reflux from Spicy Sri Lankan Food: What Actually Helps
Sri Lankan curry is wonderful and brutal on a sensitive stomach. Here's why spicy food triggers heartburn here specifically, and how to settle it fast.
7 min read
Pharmacy & Medications
Buying Antibiotics and Prescription Medicines in Sri Lanka: What Travelers Need to Know
Antibiotics are easy to buy over the counter in Sri Lanka, but self-prescribing is risky. Here's when you actually need them and how to get them safely.
7 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Tsunami Awareness in Arugam Bay: Warning Signs, Evacuation Routes, and What to Do
Arugam Bay is low-lying, beachfront, and sits on a coast that has seen a tsunami before. Here's how to recognise the warning signs and what to actually do.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Managing Migraines While Traveling in Arugam Bay: Triggers, Medication, and Red Flags
If you're a migraine sufferer, Arugam Bay has every trigger at once: heat, glare, dehydration, late nights. Here's how to manage it, and when a headache isn't a migraine.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Epilepsy and Seizures While Traveling in Arugam Bay: Medication, Triggers, and What to Do
Traveling with epilepsy to Arugam Bay: how heat, jet lag, and missed sleep raise seizure risk, how to carry and store medication, and what to do if a seizure happens.
8 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Hot Sand and Pavement Burns: Protecting Your Feet in Arugam Bay's Heat
Midday sand and tarmac in Arugam Bay get hot enough to burn bare feet in seconds. Here's why it happens, proper first aid, and when to come in.
6 min read
Pharmacy & Medications
Painkillers in Sri Lanka: Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, and What's Safe to Combine
Paracetamol or ibuprofen? What's safe with dengue, alcohol, or a sunburn? A practical guide to over-the-counter pain relief in Sri Lanka.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Getting a Tattoo or Piercing in Sri Lanka: Infection, Hepatitis, and HIV Risk
Getting inked or pierced in Arugam Bay? Unsterile needles carry real risks of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Here's how to pick a safe studio and what to do if you're worried.
7 min read
Surfing Injuries
Sea Snakes in Arugam Bay's Waters: What Surfers and Swimmers Need to Know
Sea snakes are common off Arugam Bay but bites are extremely rare. Here's how to spot one safely, what to do if you see one, and when a bite needs urgent care.
6 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Lightning Safety During Monsoon Storms in Arugam Bay
Monsoon storms bring sudden, intense lightning to Arugam Bay. Here's how to read the sky, when to get out of the water, and what to do for a strike.
6 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Crocodiles and Lagoon Safety Near Arugam Bay: What You Need to Know
Pottuvil Lagoon and the waterways around Arugam Bay have resident crocodiles. Here's where the real risk is, how to stay safe, and what to do after a bite.
7 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Lower Back Pain From Scooters and Tuk-Tuks in Arugam Bay
Bumpy coastal roads, soft scooter seats, and hours a day in the saddle add up. Here's why so many travelers get lower back pain in Arugam Bay, and what actually helps.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Anxiety and Panic Attacks While Traveling in Arugam Bay
Panic attacks are common in travelers and can feel like a heart attack or heat stroke. Here's how to tell the difference, calm an attack, and when to see us.
8 min read
Traveler Health
Menstrual Health and Period Care While Traveling in Arugam Bay
Your period doesn't pause for a surf trip. How to handle cramps, products, heat, and irregular cycles while traveling in Arugam Bay, and when to come see us.
6 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Monkey Bites and Scratches in Arugam Bay: Why Rabies Risk Means Never 'Wait and See'
Toque macaques are a daily sight around Arugam Bay's guesthouses and temples. Bites and scratches both carry rabies risk — what counts as exposure and what to do right away.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Head Lice in Guesthouses: What Parents and Budget Travelers Need to Know
An itchy scalp after a few nights in a shared dorm or family guesthouse is usually head lice, not a reaction to new shampoo. Here's how we check, treat, and stop it spreading.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Ant Bites in Arugam Bay: Fire Ants, Red Ants, and What Actually Helps
Small red ants and fire ants are everywhere in beach huts and on sandy paths here. Here's why the bites burn so much, how to treat them, and when a reaction needs a doctor.
6 min read
Traveler Health
When a Mosquito or Sandfly Bite Gets Infected: Cellulitis in Arugam Bay
Bites that get scratched in Arugam Bay's heat and humidity can turn into cellulitis fast. Here's how to spot an infected bite early and what we do about it.
7 min read
Surfing Injuries
Surfboard Fin Cuts: When You Need Stitches in Arugam Bay
Fin cuts are clean, deep, and nothing like a reef cut. Here's how to tell one that needs a plaster from one that needs stitches, and what we do about it.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Tick Bites in Sri Lanka: Safe Removal and When to Worry
Ticks are a common souvenir from jungle walks and safaris near Arugam Bay. Here's how to remove one properly and the signs worth seeing a doctor for.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Skin Checks and Sun Damage: What Long-Term Surfers in Arugam Bay Should Watch For
Months of sun in Arugam Bay changes your skin. Here's how to check it yourself, what's ordinary sun damage, and which changes mean it's time to see us.
6 min read
Surfing Injuries
Jammed Fingers, Dislocations, and Thumb Sprains From Surfing in Arugam Bay
A finger jammed on the rail or a thumb caught in the leash is common in Arugam Bay and easy to get wrong. Here's how to tell sprain from dislocation from fracture.
7 min read
Surfing Injuries
Wrist Sprains and Fractures From Surfing Wipeouts in Arugam Bay
A hand braced against the sand or reef on a hard wipeout is one of the most common ways surfers hurt themselves in Arugam Bay. Sprain or fracture, here's how to tell.
8 min read
Surfing Injuries
Broken Nose and Facial Injuries After a Wipeout in Arugam Bay
A board, fin, or reef to the face is one of the most common surfing injuries we see. Here's how to tell a broken nose from bruising, and when facial swelling means come in now.
7 min read
Surfing Injuries
Bruised or Fractured Ribs After a Wipeout: What Surfers Need to Know in Arugam Bay
A heavy wipeout onto your board or the reef can bruise or crack a rib. Here's how to tell the difference, why breathing matters more than X-rays, and when to come in.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Jet Lag in Sri Lanka: Resetting Your Body Clock After a Long-Haul Flight
Most travelers reach Arugam Bay after a long-haul flight and a multi-hour time difference. Here's how to reset your body clock fast and what to do if it isn't settling.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Hangovers and Alcohol in Arugam Bay: When It's More Than a Rough Morning
A big night at the beach bars in Arugam Bay hits harder than at home. Here's how to treat an ordinary hangover, and how to spot alcohol poisoning or heat illness.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Headaches in the Heat: Dehydration Headaches, Migraines, and When to Worry in Arugam Bay
Most headaches in Arugam Bay come from heat, dehydration, or a big travel schedule. Here's how to tell an ordinary headache from one that needs a clinic visit.
7 min read
Common Illnesses
Ingrown Toenails in Arugam Bay: Flip-Flops, Sand, and When It Needs Treatment
A sore, red big toe after days in flip-flops is usually an ingrown toenail. Here's why Arugam Bay makes them worse, what you can treat yourself, and when to come in.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Vertigo and Dizziness in Arugam Bay: Inner Ear, Heat, or Something Else?
Feeling dizzy or off-balance in Arugam Bay? Heat, dehydration, and inner ear problems are the usual causes. Here's how to tell them apart and when it's urgent.
7 min read
Surfing Injuries
Surfer's Eye (Pterygium): Why Years in the Sun, Wind, and Salt Water Take a Toll on Your Eyes
Pterygium, or 'surfer's eye', is a slow-growing tissue overgrowth caused by years of UV, wind, and salt exposure. Here's how to spot it early and protect your eyes.
6 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Wild Elephants on the Road to Arugam Bay: Staying Safe After Dark
Wild elephants cross the roads around Lahugala and Kumana after dark. Here's how to travel safely and what to do if you meet one, plus what to do if there's an accident.
7 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Beach Bonfire Burns in Arugam Bay: First Aid for Party Season
Beach bonfires are part of every Arugam Bay night out, and burns from them are one of our regular late-night walk-ins. Here's proper first aid and when to come in.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Sunburn Treatment and Aftercare in Arugam Bay: What Actually Helps
Already burned? Here's what actually reduces pain and speeds healing after sunburn in Arugam Bay's heat — and the warning signs that mean you should see us.
6 min read
Common Illnesses
Kidney Stones and Dehydration in Arugam Bay: Why the Tropical Heat Raises Your Risk
Heat, long surf sessions, and not drinking enough water make kidney stones more common in travelers here. Learn the warning signs and how to protect yourself.
7 min read
Surfing Injuries
Stepping on a Nail, Glass, or Fish Hook: Puncture Wounds in Arugam Bay
Nails, glass, sea urchin spines, and fish hooks are common on Arugam Bay's beach paths. Here's why small puncture wounds need more care than cuts, and when you need a tetanus shot.
7 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Scooter Exhaust Burns in Arugam Bay: The Calf Burn Almost Every Tourist Gets
The inside of your calf against a hot scooter exhaust is one of the most common injuries we treat. Here's why it happens, first aid, and when to come in.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Nosebleeds in Arugam Bay: Surfboard Knocks, Dry Heat, and When It's More Than a Nuisance
Nosebleeds in Arugam Bay usually come from sun, dry air-con, or a stray board — here's the right first aid, and when a bleed needs a clinic visit.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Altitude Sickness in Sri Lanka's Hill Country: Ella, Nuwara Eliya, and Adam's Peak Day Trips
Planning a day trip to Ella, Nuwara Eliya, or an overnight climb of Adam's Peak from Arugam Bay? Here's what altitude actually does at these heights.
7 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Diving and Snorkeling Around Arugam Bay: Ear Equalising, Decompression Sickness, and Medical Clearance
Diving and snorkeling trips out of Arugam Bay bring their own risks: ear equalising, decompression sickness, and knowing when you need medical clearance first.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Pregnant and Traveling to Arugam Bay: What to Know Before and During Your Trip
Traveling to Arugam Bay while pregnant is usually fine with the right precautions. Here's what to check before you go and how we can help while you're here.
8 min read
Traveler Health
Deep Vein Thrombosis: Long-Haul Flight Risks Before You Reach Sri Lanka
Most travelers to Arugam Bay sit through eight or more hours in the air to get here. Here's how to lower your DVT risk, and the leg symptoms that need a same-day check.
7 min read
Surfing Injuries
Suspected Fractures in Arugam Bay: X-Rays, Splinting, and What Happens Next
A hard landing, a scooter spill, or a bad step on the reef can break a bone. Here's how we tell a fracture from a sprain, arrange an X-ray, and what treatment looks like.
8 min read
Traveler Health
Emergency Contraception and Women's Health While Traveling in Arugam Bay
A condom failure or a missed pill doesn't have to wreck a trip. Here's how emergency contraception works in Sri Lanka, how fast to act, and how we help, confidentially.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Seasickness on Boat Safaris: Pottuvil Lagoon and Whale-Watching Trips
Lagoon safaris and whale-watching trips out of Arugam Bay feel calm at the jetty and rough an hour later. How to prevent and treat seasickness on both.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Black Henna Tattoo Reactions in Arugam Bay: Why Beach Henna Can Burn and Blister
Beach henna stalls often use 'black henna' loaded with PPD dye. It can cause chemical burns, blistering, and lifelong allergy. Here's what to do if yours reacts.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Asthma and Breathing Problems in Arugam Bay: Managing Your Inhaler in the Heat and Dust
Heat, dust, incense smoke, and salt air can all trigger asthma in Arugam Bay. Here's how to manage your inhaler, spot a serious flare-up, and what we can do.
8 min read
Traveler Health
Traveling to Arugam Bay with Kids: Health Precautions for Families
Bringing children to Arugam Bay? Here's what families need to know about sun, heat, mosquitoes, food, and finding a doctor fast if your child gets sick.
8 min read
Common Illnesses
Yeast Infections and Thrush While Traveling: Why Sri Lanka's Humidity Makes It Worse
Heat, humidity, and wet swimwear make yeast infections and thrush far more common on the road. Here's why, how to treat one, and how to prevent it in Arugam Bay.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in Arugam Bay: What to Know Before You Order the Catch of the Day
Reef fish in Sri Lanka can carry ciguatera toxin, causing a strange mix of stomach upset and nerve symptoms. Here's how to recognise it and lower your risk.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Scabies in Shared Guesthouses: Why It Itches So Much and How to Treat It
Relentless itching that's worse at night, spreading between roommates in a shared guesthouse? It's probably scabies, not an allergy. Here's how we diagnose and treat it.
7 min read
Surfing Injuries
Ankle and Knee Sprains: Surf and Reef-Walk Injuries in Arugam Bay
A rolled ankle on the reef walk or a twisted knee popping up too fast are two of the most common surf injuries we see. Here's how to tell a sprain from a break.
8 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Road Rash: Treating Scooter and Motorbike Abrasions in Arugam Bay
Road rash from a scooter slide picks up dirt fast and infects easily in the tropics. Here's how to clean it properly and when it needs more than a plaster.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Bed Bug Bites in Guesthouses: Identification and Treatment
Woke up with itchy bites in a line? Here's how to tell bed bugs from mosquitoes, treat the itch properly, and stop carrying them to your next guesthouse.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Blisters and Foot Care for Travelers in Arugam Bay
New sandals, sandy flip-flops, and long barefoot walks mean blisters are common here. How to treat them properly and stop a small blister becoming an infected wound.
6 min read
Common Illnesses
Common Cold and Flu in Sri Lanka: Managing Respiratory Illness While Traveling
A blocked nose and sore throat in Arugam Bay usually is just a cold. Here's how to tell it apart from something more serious, and how to treat it fast.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Leech Bites in Sri Lanka: What to Do After a Jungle or Waterfall Trip
Leeches are a near-guarantee on rainforest and waterfall trips from Arugam Bay. Here's how to remove them properly and stop the bleeding afterward.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Traveling with Diabetes or Chronic Medication in Arugam Bay: Heat, Storage, and Emergencies
Managing diabetes, insulin, or other chronic medication in Arugam Bay's heat: safe storage without a fridge, what to do for a hypo, and how to keep your routine going.
8 min read
Traveler Health
Sandfly and No-See-Um Bites in Arugam Bay: Why They're So Itchy and How to Stop Them
Tiny bites that itch far more than they should, appearing after a sunset walk on the beach. Here's why sandflies bite so hard in Arugam Bay and how to treat and prevent it.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Dental Emergencies in Arugam Bay: What to Do About a Toothache or Broken Tooth Far From a Dentist
Toothache, broken tooth, or lost filling in Arugam Bay? Here's how to manage dental pain, what's a true emergency, and how to find a dentist.
7 min read
Surfing Injuries
Stingray and Stonefish Stings in Arugam Bay: The Hot-Water First Aid That Actually Works
Stepped on something in the shallows? Stingray and stonefish stings are painful but treatable. Here's the hot-water first aid, and how to tell when it's an emergency.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Bee and Wasp Stings in Sri Lanka: When It's a Nuisance and When It's an Emergency
Bee and wasp stings around Arugam Bay are usually just painful. Here's how to treat an ordinary sting, and how to recognise the reaction that isn't ordinary.
6 min read
Common Illnesses
Tropical Skin Fungal Infections in Arugam Bay: Ringworm, Athlete's Foot, and Staying Dry
Itchy ring-shaped patches, peeling skin between the toes, or a rash that won't clear with regular cream? Sri Lanka's heat and humidity make fungal skin infections common. Here's how we treat them.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Scorpion and Centipede Stings in Sri Lanka: What Travelers Need to Know
Scorpion and centipede stings are painful but rarely dangerous in Sri Lanka. Here's how to avoid them around Arugam Bay guesthouses and what to do if you're stung.
6 min read
Surfing Injuries
Head Injuries and Concussion After a Surfing Wipeout in Arugam Bay
A hard wipeout at Main Point or Peanut Farm can mean more than a knock — here's how to recognise concussion, what to do in the first hours, and when to come in.
7 min read
Common Illnesses
Red, Itchy Eyes in Arugam Bay: Conjunctivitis, Sand, and Salt Water
Red, gritty, or watering eyes are one of the most common complaints we see. Learn how to tell salt-water irritation from conjunctivitis, and when to come in.
6 min read
Pharmacy & Medications
Getting Medication in Arugam Bay: A Pharmacy Guide for Travelers
How pharmacies work in Arugam Bay, what you can buy over the counter, how to refill a prescription from home, and what to bring with you.
7 min read
Surfing Injuries
Surfer's Shoulder and Lower Back Pain: The Overuse Injuries We See in Arugam Bay
Weeks of paddling and pop-ups take a toll on shoulders and lower backs. Here's why surfers get this pain in Arugam Bay, how to manage it, and when to get it checked.
7 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Tuk-Tuk Safety in Arugam Bay: What Riders Need to Know
Tuk-tuks are the easiest way to get around Arugam Bay, but they have no seatbelts, no doors, and no airbags. Here's how to ride safely and what to do if things go wrong.
7 min read
Common Illnesses
Swimmer's Ear in Arugam Bay: The Infection That Isn't Surfer's Ear
Painful, itchy, discharging ear after a week of surfing or swimming in Arugam Bay? That's swimmer's ear, not surfer's ear. Here's how we treat it and how to stop it coming back.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Chikungunya in Sri Lanka: The Mosquito-Borne Fever That Isn't Dengue
Chikungunya causes sudden fever and severe joint pain, and it's often mistaken for dengue. Here's how to tell them apart and what to do if you catch it.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Malaria in Sri Lanka: Do Travelers Need Prophylaxis?
Sri Lanka was certified malaria-free in 2016. Here's what that means for prophylaxis, who still needs tablets, and what to watch for if you've traveled elsewhere first.
6 min read
Common Illnesses
Traveller's Constipation in Sri Lanka: Why It Happens and How to Fix It
Constipation is one of the most common travel complaints, and one of the least talked about. Here's why it happens in Sri Lanka's heat and how to get things moving again.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Motion Sickness on Sri Lanka's Roads: Prevention and Quick Relief
Winding coastal roads and long tuk-tuk or van transfers make motion sickness common in Sri Lanka. Here's how to prevent it and what actually helps.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Allergic Reactions & Anaphylaxis in Sri Lanka: What to Do
New foods, new insects, new sun exposure — Sri Lanka has plenty of new allergy triggers. Here's how to spot a reaction early and what to do if it turns serious.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Snake Bites in Sri Lanka: First Aid That Actually Works
Sri Lanka has some of the world's most dangerous snakes. Here's how to avoid a bite, what real first aid looks like, and why tourniquets and cutting the wound are myths.
7 min read
Common Illnesses
Hepatitis A in Sri Lanka: What It Is and Why the Vaccine Is Worth It
Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water and can knock travelers out for weeks. Here's what it looks like, how it's treated, and why the vaccine matters.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Prickly Heat in Arugam Bay: Why the Humidity Gives You a Rash
That itchy pinpoint rash under your rash vest isn't sunburn or an allergy. Here's why prickly heat happens in Arugam Bay's humidity and how to clear it fast.
6 min read
Common Illnesses
Typhoid Fever in Sri Lanka: Why It Isn't Just Food Poisoning
Typhoid is a slower, more serious food-and-water-borne fever than ordinary traveler's diarrhea. Here's how to tell the difference and when it needs testing.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Leptospirosis in Sri Lanka: The Flood-Water Infection Travelers Miss
Leptospirosis spreads through floodwater contaminated with animal urine and spikes after heavy rain around Arugam Bay. Here's how to avoid it and spot it early.
7 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Rip Currents in Arugam Bay: How to Spot Them and What to Do If You're Caught
Rip currents are the biggest ocean hazard in Arugam Bay, for swimmers and surfers alike. Here's how to spot one, escape it, and help someone who can't.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Anti-Rabies Vaccine in Arugam Bay: Where to Get It, Fast
Bitten or scratched by a dog or monkey in Arugam Bay? We stock human anti-rabies vaccine and can start treatment the same day. Here's what to do right now.
6 min read
Common Illnesses
Ear Wax Removal in Arugam Bay: Blocked Ears After Surfing
Blocked, muffled ear after surfing or swimming in Arugam Bay? We safely remove ear wax and check for infection the same day. Here's what's going on and what not to do.
5 min read
Common Illnesses
UTIs While Traveling in Sri Lanka: Prevention and Treatment
Long travel days, dehydration, and wet swimwear make urinary tract infections common on the road. Here's how to prevent one and what to do if it happens in Arugam Bay.
6 min read
Common Illnesses
Dehydration in the Tropics: Oral Rehydration Salts and When You Need an IV Drip
Heat, surfing, and stomach bugs dehydrate travelers fast in Sri Lanka. Learn how to rehydrate properly, and when oral salts are not enough and you need a drip.
7 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Scooter and Motorbike Safety in Arugam Bay: Avoiding the Injuries We See Most
Rented scooters are how most travelers get around Arugam Bay, and road accidents are the most serious injuries we treat. Here is how to stay off our table.
8 min read
Traveler Health
What to Pack in Your Travel First-Aid Kit for Arugam Bay
A simple, surf-trip-ready first-aid kit handles most small problems before they grow. Here is exactly what to pack for Arugam Bay, and what to leave to us.
7 min read
Sri Lanka Healthcare
Travel Insurance for Sri Lanka: What to Look For
Healthcare in Sri Lanka is cheaper than at home, but evacuation and serious illness aren't. Here's what your travel insurance needs to cover.
5 min read
Sri Lanka Healthcare
Emergency Numbers in Sri Lanka: Who to Call and When
Save these numbers in your phone. Suwa Seriya (1990) is the free national ambulance, and it's the first call for any medical emergency.
4 min read
Arugam Bay Safety
Arugam Bay Safety Guide: A Local's Perspective
Arugam Bay is one of the safest surf towns in Sri Lanka, but there are still local hazards worth knowing. Tuk-tuks, swimming, wildlife, monsoons, and more.
7 min read
Traveler Health
Rabies and Animal Bites in Sri Lanka
Stray dogs and monkeys are common in Sri Lanka. Most bites don't transmit rabies, but the wrong bite is life-threatening. Here's what to do if you're bitten or scratched.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Vaccines to Consider Before Traveling to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka isn't a high-vaccine-burden destination, but there are several worth considering. Here's the practical list, with what each one protects against.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Food and Water Safety in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan food is a highlight of any trip. Here's how to enjoy it without spending two days of your holiday in bed.
5 min read
Traveler Health
Mosquito Bite Prevention in Sri Lanka: A Practical Guide
Dengue, chikungunya, Zika, Japanese encephalitis — all spread by mosquitoes, all preventable. Here's the practical, real-world strategy for not getting bitten.
5 min read
Common Illnesses
Fever in the Tropics: When It's Serious and When It Isn't
A fever in Sri Lanka could be a cold, dengue, a urinary infection, or something less common. Here's how to tell when to ride it out at home and when to see a doctor.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Sun Protection and Heat Illness on Sri Lanka's East Coast
Arugam Bay is hotter and sunnier than most visitors expect. Learn the difference between sunburn, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke — and how to avoid all three.
6 min read
Common Illnesses
Food Poisoning and Traveler's Diarrhea in Sri Lanka
Traveler's diarrhea hits most visitors at some point. Here's how to treat it, when to worry, and how to avoid it without missing out on the food.
7 min read
Surfing Injuries
Surfer's Ear: Why Your Ears Hurt After Months of Surfing
Repeated cold-water exposure causes bone growth in the ear canal. Here's what surfer's ear is, how to prevent it, and what to do if you have it.
5 min read
Surfing Injuries
Sea Urchin Spines: Removal, Aftercare, and When to See a Doctor
Stepped on a sea urchin? Here's how to remove the spines safely, when home removal won't work, and when to come in.
5 min read
Surfing Injuries
Jellyfish Stings on Sri Lanka's East Coast: First Aid That Actually Works
Most of what you've heard about treating jellyfish stings is wrong. Here's what to do in Arugam Bay, with treatment based on the species you're likely to encounter.
5 min read
Surfing Injuries
Reef Cuts: How to Treat Them and Why Infection Is the Real Danger
Coral and reef cuts get infected fast in tropical water. Here's how to clean a reef cut properly and recognise when you need stitches or antibiotics.
6 min read
Traveler Health
Dengue Fever in Sri Lanka: What Travelers Need to Know
Dengue is the most common mosquito-borne illness in Sri Lanka. Learn how to prevent it, recognise the symptoms, and know when to see a doctor.
7 min read