No matter where you’re travelling, it’s a good idea to take along a few basic medical supplies. Here are some things you should consider including in a travel first aid kit.
Pre-Made or Pack Your Own
While there are plenty of travel first aid kits out there that you can purchase already pre-made, I personally like to pack my own in a small cosmetics bag so that I can control exactly what goes inside.
Basic Supplies
Medications: Whether it’s an upset stomach from trying a new food that didn’t quite agree with you…sore muscles from walking all day…or a cold from being around a lot more people than usual, it’s not uncommon to need some basic over-the-counter medications during your trip. Even if you’re travelling somewhere with drugstores available to purchase meds, it’s a whole lot more convenient to have these already on hand if you need them (especially if you need them in the middle of the night!). Consider packing a few doses of common medications such as anti-histamines/allergy meds, anti-nausea meds, anti-diarrheals, laxatives, pain meds, and cold meds.
Wound care: Another common issue you’ll need to be prepared to deal with when travelling is wounds. Obviously major wounds (including all bite wounds!) will need proper professional medical attention, but blisters, small cuts, and scrapes can be managed out of a basic first aid kit. Make sure to pack something to clean the wound with, a topical antibiotic ointment, and a variety of different sized and shaped Band-aids.
Prescription medications: Don’t forget to pack your regular prescription medications. It’s best to pack these in their original labelled prescription bottles if at all possible. If you’re travelling outside your home country, make sure to check the guidelines for your destination…not all medications are legal everywhere! If your prescription medication has special storage requirements (refrigeration, etc.), also make sure to check with your lodging to arrange this before arriving.
Sun protection: Sunscreen is an important addition to a travel first aid kit. Even in the winter! If you’re headed somewhere particularly sunny, make sure to pack some sunburn treatment as well (aloe, etc.).
Immune support: While there’s limited literature on the effectiveness of many products, it’s not a bad idea to consider packing something designed to help support your immune system through the stress of travel. Probiotics and/or vitamin supplements containing Vitamin C and Zinc may be useful.
Special Circumstances
Moleskin: If you’re going to be doing a lot of walking, don’t rely on Band-aids alone to help protect your feet. Buy some moleskin and pack it (along with a small pair of scissors) so that you can keep walking comfortably throughout your trip even if a blister develops.
Prescription medications: Some locations are more remote than others and, if you’re headed somewhere without easy access to medical care or specific medical concerns in the area (such as malaria), you’ll want to talk to your doctor about potentially including prescription items in your first aid kit. Common options would include basic antibiotics (for skin infections and/or diarrhea) or anti-malarial medications.
Glasses repair kit: So it may not directly be first aid, but broken glasses can absolutely ruin a vacation! If you wear glasses like I do, consider tossing a glasses repair kit (you can get a small one on Amazon) into your first aid kit so you know you’ll always have it around if you need it!
Seasickness meds: Even if you don’t have a history of getting seasick, if you’re going to be spending any time on the water, it’s a good idea to pack a few doses just in case. There’s nothing worse than being stuck on a ship with motion sickness! (Even if you don’t end up needing them, you’ll be the hero when someone else does!)
Check your first aid kit with every trip!
Every time you travel, check the contents of your first aid kit to make sure they’re fully stocked and haven’t expired.
Other Travel Health Related Topics:
For more information on staying healthy while you travel, check out these blog posts:
Making (basic) sense of travel health guidelines
Germs on the Road: Travelling and Infectious Disease
Air Travel Tips for Germaphobes
5 Cruise Ship Tips for Germaphobes
