What to include in a first aid kit for travelling?

The basis of my first aid kit is, and always has been, a Lifesystems first aid kit. They stock a huge range of first aid kits for all situations. The key first aid items that are in either kit are: Plasters, dressings and bandages – nice variety of sizing Tape – micropore for sticking anything down Wipes – for cleaning up dirty wounds, like grazes etc. Disposable medical gloves – seems like an overkill until you’re faced with touching actual blood everywhere Tweezers – SO USEFUL, not least for ticks Scissors – I actually take mine out if I’m carrying a pen knife anyway Safety Pins – useful not just for bandages Burn gel – or add in something like clingfilm. Many first aid kits that you buy off the shelf don’t come with any form of medication. Ibuprophen – for pain relief and swelling relief Paracetamol – for pain relief Antihistamine – as an intervention for allergic reactions. First up is a Sam splint. Next is a Pulse Oximeter. Another absolute must, actually, is a notebook and pencil. Duck tape. A sewing kit – no, not for sewing up limbs. One enormous safety pin – possibly a nappy pin, it’s helpful to have one enormous one Emergency jelly babies – other brands are available, but these come out when times get dire or when someone’s having an actual sugar low. Sports tape – I have the end of a roll in my first aid kit. A small flat sponge – added at the same time as the sewing kit. Compede blister plasters – occasionally I’ll throw these in for leading. Ice cream spoon – you know those tiny flat ones you get if you choose a tub not a cone at the beach. House keys – if I’m going on a long overseas expedition, not in a leading capacity, I’ll put my house keys in my first aid kit so I don’t lose them.

Stock up on fabric plasters, bandages, non-adhesive dressings and gauze in order to cover yourself against all manner of minor mishaps. Bring some antacids for indigestion, ibuprofen for swelling, and paracetamol to soothe that sore head on the morning after. Pick up some over-the-counter constipation and anti-diarrhoea tablets from your local Superdrug to make things a little easier. A simple antihistamine cream should soothe the itch, and you can buy all manner of insect repellent from Superdrug stores and good travel equipment shops. Be sure to bring plenty of suncream and after-sun lotion. Basic supplies: no need to stock for your own mini pharmacy, but taking a choice selection of pills and medication is a sensible idea. If you’re likely to be travelling far away from decent medical facilities, talk to your GP or someone at your local Superdrug Travel Clinic about bringing your own supply of antibiotics. Are you taking anything for a pre-existing condition? Remember to pack enough of any personal medication for the whole trip because you can’t always rely on getting things while you’re out there. Extra brownie points for bringing a good first aid book!

Prepare a travel health kit with items you may need, especially those that may be difficult to find on your trip. You may not need every item. What you pack depends on your destination and the health risks specific to that area. The list below provides a wide range of items to consider including in your travel health kit. Medicines such as Antacid, Antibiotics, if prescribed by your healthcare professional, such as for travelers' diarrhea, Antihistamine, Antimalarial medicines, if prescribed by your healthcare professional, can be included. Supplies like Condoms, Diabetes testing supplies, Disease-specific rapid tests, Earplugs, First-aid kit, Glasses, contact lenses, contact lens solution, and hydrating eye drops, Hand sanitizer, or antibacterial hand wipes can also be included. Insect repellent, with an active ingredient like DEET or picaridin, Medical alert bracelet or necklace, Sunglasses and hat, Sunscreen, with UVA and UVB protection, SPF 15 or higher, Water purification tablets or filter should also be considered. Check CDC’s Destination webpages to learn more about the health risks at your destination and what to pack. If you have specific medical conditions, check with your healthcare professional for any additional items to consider bringing along.

A good first aid kit can help you self-manage basic health problems and help avoid buying potentially dangerous medications abroad. The contents of any first aid kit should be tailored to your individual itinerary, taking into consideration the type of travel you are undertaking, your destination, the duration and any existing medical conditions you have. Basic First Aid: first aid quick reference card disposable latex-free exam gloves adhesive plasters in assorted sizes hydro-colloid blister plasters gauze adhesive first aid tape elasticated bandage wrap for sprains and strains steri-strips cotton swab. antiseptic and antibacterial such as iodine or alcohol based preparations saline sachets to wash out wounds aloe Vera gel for treatment of minor burns topical corticosteroids for symptomatic relief of bites, stings and other skin irritations thermometer tweezers scissors. If undertaking remote or high risk travel then consider taking sterile equipment such as: lancets, assorted syringes, needles, IV Cannula, dental needle. Adequate supply of regular medication for duration of trip and additional in case trip unexpectedly extended. Anti-histamines for symptomatic treatment of mild or moderate allergic reactions, painkillers to treat pain and/or fever such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin, medication to manage travellers diarrhoea, oral rehydration salts for hydration, anti-diarrhoeal agents for symptom management of mild and moderate diarrhoea.

Our foreign travel first aid kits have been designed to include a range of essential first aid supplies for travelling abroad. Our comprehensive foreign travel kit, complying with Department of Health recommendations, takes into consideration the possibility of lower-hygiene conditions in some foreign countries and therefore include sterile packed syringes and needles for use by local doctors, as well as antiseptic cream and sterile first aid dressings.

Your first-aid kit should have what you need to take care of mild illnesses and injuries. This will include a variety of things, but you don’t need to take an entire medicine cabinet. No travel emergency kit is complete without these basics: Antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, instant cold pack, pain reliever, scissors, self-adhesive wrap, thermometer, and tweezers. Throw these things in your travel emergency kit to take care of skin mishaps: Aloe vera gel, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic, bandages, calamine lotion, gauze, and medical tape. Be ready for digestive troubles with these items: Antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, laxatives or stool softeners, and motion sickness medication. Pack these medications to help you feel better from respiratory problems: Antihistamines, cold relief medication, cough suppressant, and saline nasal spray. Wherever you go, remember to carry hand sanitizer and extra face masks to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

The American College of Emergency Physicians and the CDC encourage travelers to pack a first aid kit or a travel health kit for common medical emergencies. Pack the following items in your carry-on bag and keep it with you at all times: Medicines you take on a regular basis at home. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin to relieve headaches, pain, fever, and simple sprains or strains Antihistamines to relieve allergies Antacid medicine for upset stomach Anti-nausea or motion sickness medicine. You may also want to include medicine for altitude sickness if traveling to high altitudes. Bandages of assorted sizes to cover minor cuts and scrapes Bandage closures, such as butterfly bandages, to tape edges of minor cuts together Triangular bandage to wrap injuries and make an arm sling Elastic wraps to wrap wrist, ankle, knee, and elbow injuries Gauze in rolls, as well as 2-inch and 4-inch pads, to dress larger cuts and scrapes Adhesive tape to keep gauze in place Scissors with rounded tips to cut tape, gauze, or clothes, if necessary. Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection in cuts, scrapes, and burns Hydrogen peroxide to clean and disinfect wounds Disposable, instant-activating cold packs to cool injuries and burns, as well as for use in strains and sprains Tweezers to remove small splinters, foreign objects, bee stingers, and ticks from the skin. Disposable rubber gloves to protect hands and reduce the risk for infection when treating wounds Thermometer to take temperatures in case of illness Calamine lotion to relieve itching and irritation from insect bites and poison ivy Hydrocortisone cream to relieve irritation from rashes Sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher Aloe gel for sunburns Insect repellent. Medicine to prevent malaria, if needed where you are traveling Over-the-counter medicine for diarrhea. Cough and cold medicines Epinephrine medicine for people with severe allergies List of prescription medicines and generic names Latex condoms Water purification tablets Extra pair of contact lenses or prescription glasses