October 30th, 2008
Pink’s Travel Tip #1: Never get sick again
Last week I announced our new feature: Pink’s Travel Tips. Today, I roll out Tip #1 — one of my very favorites, the killer app for staying healthy on airplanes.
(Warning: This video might gross out some of you. Viewer discretion is advised.)
A on October 30, 2008
Smart tip!
anders on October 30, 2008
Hey Dan,
I know I invited you to lunch last time you were in Australia, but now I am having second thoughts.
Very funny travel tip.
Anders of Thinque
Darryl on October 30, 2008
fantastic video, and a good tip… got the link from twitter… keep them coming.
nicmcc on October 30, 2008
Hey, whatever works! I’ll have to try this on my next trip.
Shelley on October 30, 2008
The “I’m protected” tagline is much more questionable than “I’m flying” but I’m definitely enjoying the new feature.
Bryan Eye on October 30, 2008
Great video. Thanks for sharing the health tip, Dan! =)
Alain Geenrits on October 31, 2008
I learned this tip from a book by the Barefoot Doctor, Urban Warriors Survival Guide. Instead of nasty antibiotics, just use Tea Trea oil, if you can stand the smell. It is a very effective, natural desinfectant and as an added benefit it keeps other travellers at a distane… Seriously, works great since it also purifies the air.
madeira on October 31, 2008
now that’s taking hygiene to the next level!
Marti Barletta on October 31, 2008
I love this idea – I’ll probably do it. Just one worry: isn’t increasing use of antibiotics on every occasion and surface what’s leading to the rising risk of more resistant ummm… biotics (microbes)? It’s all well and good to avoid the next worldwide pandemic, but ironic that by doing so, we may be contributing to its cause!
Clint on October 31, 2008
Nice one. Can’t wait to see what kind of other tips you’ve got coming. If there anything like this one, I’ll have some good tips to use on my upcoming trips.
JOhn on November 1, 2008
Nice tip. I usually just wear a mask when I fly. But I might try the antibacterial cream, depending its smell.
Bryan on November 1, 2008
The problem is the airborne crap in airplanes is predominantly viruses. Your bacitracin won’t do a thing … except make you feel like you’re doing something.
Helen on November 7, 2008
Dan,
I’d love to hear about where your Travel Tips fit in around the AWNM concepts. Are you testing this as a tool? I’m in discussions at work around how we do patient health education – classes, webinars, handouts. I know that I rely on videos like you posted here, that Garr Reynolds uses, that TED posts for information that often changes my behavior. However, when I try to articulate the concepts I realize that I come up short in a supposed evidence-based environment with people who may use the internet in different ways than I do. I don’t have TV access so I have to be proactive in the way I get information. Do you have any thoughts about this?
BTW – you could use a q-tip to put bacitracin in your nostril.
Thanks,
Helen
Stephen Moegling on November 9, 2008
Dan, just used your travel trip this week. Two days after flying with a bunch of sneezers and nose-wipers, I’m happy to report not even the hint of a cold or sinus infection. Thanks!
Annette Simmons on November 10, 2008
I use a saline spray to wash my sinuses before and after, really the whole time I’m traveling. Same results – two years no sinus infections!. However I like your idea and it was fun seeing you stick your finger up your nose!
john on November 22, 2008
how do you spell the triple antibiotic ointment your talking about here?
Dan Pink on November 23, 2008
@ john — It’s bacitracin. More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacitracin
Alex Sirota on January 2, 2009
Dan,
Great tip — I wonder if this would work equally well on subway systems since many people in metro areas have to take them at least 10 times per week? I’ve been sick on and off for the month of December and I am seriously considering this option.
I have a friend who got sick just being in her condo for a few days — had to be the poor ventilation system spreading germs from condo to condo.
Let me give this a try…
Alex
Ian Hopper on March 4, 2009
I share Marti Barletta’s concerns: the widespread use of antibiotics has created supergerms, including staph that is almost impossible to kill. Washing your hands is an excellent thing to do (just don’t use antibacterial soap). Another option would be to use just some petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) which will help increase the natural “trapping” ability of the hairs and cilia in the nostril.
Skip Stein on March 16, 2009
Hi Dan,
Cool tips. Just did the first one. Another tool I use is a personal air purifier; does allergy and virus too.
Wein Air Supply Mini-Mate Personal Air Purifier AS 150MM
Been using it for YEARS in airplanes and crowds; especially during flue season!
Cheers,
Skip
Veronica on July 18, 2010
I’ve done this before and I swear that it works. I had to take my Mom to the hospital and visit her in the hospital when she had swine-flu and I swear that’s what prevented my from getting it. I was all over her house, in the car with her while she was coughing, she was leaning on me while we were in the ER. I never got sick not one symptom. I was told this by another doctor and I swear by it now.
Margaret Graham on August 2, 2010
Dan,
Wow! You really pulled that off. You can do anything now.
Maggie
Jeff on August 2, 2010
I have to agree with Bryan. This may help with bacteria-born diseases but it won’t do a thing with viruses. So what anti-viral stuff do you stick in your nose?
Okay, just kidding. More seriously, I wonder how strong the placebo effect is here.
Now, just to give you context to my comment, I hate getting sick and have proselytized to my family and whomever will listen that it’s less likely you’ll get sick if you never ever touch your hands to your face. Not fail safe mind you. Just common sense.
king of spain on August 3, 2010
i think this is called a placebo
Glauber Ramos on August 6, 2010
You are crazy man!
Why don’t you try some exercises and healthy food?
John Tangney on August 6, 2010
This is misguided advice. It’s a bad idea.
Overuse of antibiotics is a serious problem. We are currently facing an explosion of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Prophylactic antibiotics are seldom indicated, and as Jeff and Bryan pointed out, completely ineffective against viruses, except perhaps as a placebo.
Use the “hand sanitizer” (really just alcohol in a gel) and you’ll be fine. And as Jeff said, keep your hands away from your face.
Michael Haberman SPHR on August 19, 2010
I think telling people to keep their hands away from their face is like telling them not to inhale air. Good advice but not practical.