Sunburn
How to cool and soothe sunburn, which after-sun products and painkillers help, how to protect children, and the warning signs that need a doctor.
Health on holiday in Sharm El Sheikh: pharmacist guides
Clear first aid guides for common holiday health problems in Sharm El Sheikh, and how to choose between a pharmacy, a doctor and emergency care.
Our health guides explain what to do about common health problems on holiday in Sharm El Sheikh. Each guide gives clear first aid steps, the products that can help and the warning signs that need a doctor. The advice is based on trusted sources such as the NHS, the CDC and MedlinePlus.
Our health guides
- Sunburn: what to do and what to buy. Cooling, after-sun care, pain relief and warning signs.
- Traveller’s diarrhoea: the first 24 hours. Fluids, rehydration salts, food and red flags.
- Jellyfish, fire coral and sea urchins. First aid for Red Sea stings, and what not to do.
- Heat exhaustion, heatstroke and dehydration. How to spot them and cool someone down.
- Food poisoning. Vomiting, fluids, buffet safety and when to see a doctor.
- Coral cuts and scrapes. Cleaning a coral wound and the signs of infection.
- Seasickness on boat trips. Prevention on the boat, and what helps.
- Swimmer’s ear. Ear pain after snorkelling, care and prevention.
- Sore throat and blocked nose from air-conditioning. What helps and when antibiotics are not needed.
- Allergies and insect bites. Bites, stings, antihistamines and allergy warning signs.
- A child’s fever on holiday. What to do, and when a child needs a doctor.
Pharmacy, doctor or emergency?
Pharmacy. A pharmacist can help with minor problems, such as mild sunburn, mild diarrhoea, small stings or a headache. We suggest suitable products and tell you when you need a doctor. Our pharmacists speak English, Russian, Ukrainian and Italian, so you can explain your symptoms clearly. Learn more about our Russian-speaking pharmacist service. UK government travel advice for Egypt notes that pharmacies outside hotels often supply medicines at lower prices.
Doctor. See a doctor if symptoms are severe, getting worse or not improving. Do the same if a baby, a pregnant woman or an older person is unwell. If you are referred to a clinic or hospital, contact your travel insurer quickly.
Emergency. Call 123 for an ambulance if someone has difficulty breathing, chest pain, a seizure or severe bleeding. Call too after a stonefish sting, or if someone loses consciousness. Heatstroke is also an emergency. Signs include confusion and hot skin without sweating.
Need help in Sharm?
We have 5 pharmacies across Sharm El Sheikh. Our Naama Bay and Nabq pharmacies are open until 1:00 AM every day. Find the nearest one on our pharmacies page, message us on WhatsApp or call +20 120 344 2201. Free hotel delivery is available on orders from $30.
In this section
Heatstroke and dehydration
How to spot heat exhaustion, heatstroke and dehydration, how to cool someone down, what to buy at the pharmacy, and when to call 123.
Traveller's diarrhoea
Most traveller's diarrhoea settles in a few days. How to replace fluids, what to eat, which pharmacy products can help and when to see a doctor.
Food poisoning
How to rehydrate after vomiting, which buffet foods and drinks carry more risk, what to buy at the pharmacy and the warning signs that need a doctor.
Jellyfish and sea stings
What to do after a jellyfish or fire coral sting, a sea urchin spine or a venomous fish sting in the Red Sea, including the vinegar question and the warning signs.
Coral cuts
How to clean and dress a coral cut, why coral wounds often get infected, when you may need a tetanus booster, and the warning signs that need a doctor.
Seasickness
How to prevent and ease seasickness on boat trips from Sharm El Sheikh: simple tips first, the types of medicine to ask about, children and pregnancy, and warning signs.
Swimmer's ear
How to recognise swimmer's ear after snorkelling, what helps, when ear drops need a doctor, how it differs from ear pain after diving, and how to prevent it.
Air-con colds and sore throat
Why air-conditioning can leave your throat sore and your nose blocked, how to tell it from a cold or an allergy, what helps, and when to see a doctor.
Allergies and insect bites
How to treat mosquito bites and bee or wasp stings, which repellents work, how antihistamines such as loratadine help, and the signs of a severe allergic reaction.
A child's fever
How to check your child's temperature, keep them comfortable, tell a fever from heat illness and recognise the warning signs that need a doctor.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What is the emergency number in Egypt?
Call 123 for an ambulance anywhere in Egypt, including Sharm El Sheikh. UK government travel advice also lists 122 for the police and 126 for the tourist police. If a doctor refers you to a hospital or clinic, contact your travel insurer straight away.
When should I see a pharmacist and when a doctor in Sharm?
A pharmacist can help with minor problems such as mild sunburn, mild diarrhoea, small stings and insect bites. Our pharmacist can also tell you if you need a doctor. See a doctor if symptoms are severe, getting worse or not improving. Also see one if a baby, a pregnant woman or an older person is unwell.
Sources and further reading (5)
- Getting help: Egypt travel advice (emergency numbers) — GOV.UK (FCDO)
- Health: Egypt travel advice (emergency medical number, healthcare in Egypt) — GOV.UK (FCDO)
- Heat exhaustion and heatstroke — NHS
- Jellyfish and other sea creature stings — NHS
- Poisonings, Envenomations, and Toxic Exposures During Travel — CDC Yellow Book 2026
Last updated 8 October 2026. General information, not a diagnosis: always read the leaflet and ask a pharmacist or doctor.
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