THERE'S nothing worse than spending a fortune on your well deserved summer holiday, only to be struck down with an illness. Unfortunately, it's not that unusual - six out of 10 Brits will be unwell while they are way this year, according to new research by Tesco.

Whether it's headaches, insect bites, sunburn, diarrhoea or heat rash, summer holiday ailments can make you feel miserable.

Worcester pharmacist Dennis Ogle, of Ogle's pharmacy in St John's, advises holidaymakers to be prepared before they jet off. Here, he, along with other experts, describes how to deal with the problems you might face while you're away.

BEFORE YOU GO

Make sure you buy travel insurance before you go anywhere abroad so you are covered if you become unwell. If you're in Europe, a European health insurance card will also ensure you get the same medical treatment as a local.

If you're just travelling to the Mediterranean for your summer break, you won't need to have any jabs, but if you're going slightly further afield, see your GP or practice nurse at least six months before you are due to go.

One of the first things you should pack in your suitcase for your holidays is a first aid kit, according to Penny Beck, superintendent pharmacist at Tesco.

"There's nothing worse than feeling terrible and trying to make yourself understood in a foreign language," she says. "While everyone has different requirements, my top five recommended items to include would be some anti-diarrhoea tablets and rehydration sachets, painkillers, an insect repellent and anti-histamines, along with heartburn and indigestion remedies."

TRAVEL SICKNESS

Ever been stuck in a car, boat or plane and started feeling queasy? Travel sickness is a very common problem, particularly in children.

Symptoms include feeling sick, dizzy and suffering from headaches. They happen because the brain is receiving mixed messages from your eyes and the balance mechanisms in your ears. There are ways of preventing it though.

"Have a small snack before you leave home as this will help to keep the stomach settled," Ms Beck says. "When travelling, drink regularly (but avoid fizzy drinks) and don't read. Sitting in the front seat of the car will help - having a good view of the road in front helps the brain understand the movement sensed by the body. The middle seat in the back of a car also works well.

"On a boat, sit on the top deck and face the direction of travel, looking out at the horizon. On a plane, try to get a seat over the wings. Sucking on a sweet during take off and landing can also help ease the pressure on the ears."

Mr Ogle also recommends a homeopathic remedy called Travella. "Travel sickness pills are great to take before you feel ill, but once that has already started they will do nothing," he said. "With Travella you can take them once the sick feeling has begun."

SUNBURN

The best way to avoid a nasty case of sunburn - and those unsightly white strap marks - is to use the right sunscreen for your skin, avoid being out in the sun in the middle of the day and don't fall asleep in the sun.

You should apply lotion at least half an hour before you go outside, but how do you know what factor to get for you and your family?

Mr Ogle says you should use factor 15 as an absolute minimum, and apply regularly.

"Children should wear an even higher factor and ideally a waterproof make as they are in and out of water," he said. "Also, buy new sunscreen every year - old sunscreen can cause eczema and other skin conditions."

If you do burn, there are ways to relieve it. Have a cold shower and apply lots of soothing aftersun lotion, drink plenty of water and don't go out in the sun again until the redness has gone.

INSECT BITES

Getting bitten on holiday can be an annoyance - all that scratching might ruin your tan. But in some countries there can be more serious consequences, such as malaria, dengue fever or Lyme disease.

To avoid being bitten, cover yourself in insect repellent when you're outside and wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.

Dennis Ogle recommends avoiding perfumes in the evening and instead spray mosquito repellent over your pulse points. "I have even sprayed it in wardrobes at the start of the day so that by the evening any mosquitoes that may have got in there will have died."

TUMMY BUGS

There are ways of avoiding an upset stomach, including washing your hands before eating, choosing food that has been cooked from fresh and is served piping hot, avoiding dairy products, shellfish and food left uncovered, drinking and brushing teeth with bottled water instead of from the tap and being cautious of ice cubes. However, if you do become a victim, make sure you drink plenty of water and take an anti-diarrhoea product.

If you have a fever, blood loss or are vomiting continuously with your diarrhoea, you should see a doctor.

Mr Ogle said that many people come back from their holidays complaining of diarrhoea but that in some instances they don't have a bug, it is simply caused by a change in diet and them eating more oily produce.