Packing for your trip is all fun and games, until you have to start packing your medication/ first aid kit. It’s one of the things none of the travellers want to experience ever, on any of their trips in their entire lifetime, despite knowing the importance of medical kits. Being sick on a trip isn’t only a nightmare but it does hold the power to hamper or even sometimes in severe cases cancel your plan and, in such situations, the entire group you are travelling with might have to change or alter their itinerary.

To make sure, you aren’t getting sick on your trip. It’s important to know where to eat from, and which places to avoid. Checking the weather conditions and pacing accordingly must also be one of the most important pointers to keep in mind. Make sure to maintain hygiene by using hand sanitizers at frequent intervals, especially before eating, after visiting places, and most importantly after shopping.

If you have had a history of catching allergies easily, could be a common cold, sneezing, itching, etc. In such situations, you must be very careful not to touch things. You should always have your medications and prescriptions in your bag in case of an emergency. You must also always keep the people around you aware of your allergies and their symptoms. To make sure, they can help or assist you whenever required.

For people who have skin issues, or whose skin starts to irritate easily, keeping sunscreen along with other soothing creams is very important, something like aloe vera gel also works well in such situations.

Why should I bring a first aid kit on my trip?

Wherever you go, it’s important to pack a basic travel health kit. First aid materials and medications might not always be readily available abroad or might not be the same as those offered in your home country. The

supplies in a good travel health kit are sufficient to treat minor injuries and illnesses, prevent illness, and manage existing medical conditions for the duration of your trip and beyond.

The best first aid kits are simple but comprehensive, containing a range of bandages and supplies to handle the essentials. These require little to no training to be used on ourselves or even on the people with whom we are traveling.

What should you include in your first aid kit while traveling?

Following are our suggestions for you to include in your traveler first aid kit: –

1. Band-Aids/Plasters

This goes without saying, but every first aid kit must contain these. Cuts and grazes are the most frequent types of minor injuries, so it’s wise to always have a supply of Band-Aids in hand in various sizes. If you anticipate doing a lot of trekking and are not accustomed to such kind of exercise keeping blister plasters is a good idea. Just a few of each type will do, and you can always restock when you pass a pharmacy. It’s not necessary to go overboard and stock too many of these.

2. Gauze

Gauze is the medical jack-of-all-trades. Gauze should always be in your first aid kit, and over the years, you will realize how many times it has helped you by keeping it handy for use. It can be used as part of a basic dressing for small- to medium-sized wounds, to apply pressure to a wound, clean an injury, absorb blood, assist in stopping bleeding, and more.

3. ACE or elastic bandages or crepe bandages

Basic crepe bandages help keep small dressings clean and in place when you have something slightly larger than a cut until you can get medical attention. Keep in mind that you will only use them in case of emergency to get you through until you can get professional medical attention. There shouldn’t be more than one or two of these needed.

4. Medical tape

Although Band-Aids can perform the same function in many situations. But it is always better to have other options handy while traveling. Surgical or medical tape is one of those essential emergency items for when you need to apply and secure gauze or a bandage to a wound.

5. Miniature scissors

These are a must-keep in any of the first aid kits that are sold commercially (although you can also purchase them separately and customize them according to your own need) and are helpful for cutting gauze or bandages to the appropriate size. If you do bring scissors, just be careful to put your first aid kit in your checked bag while you are traveling, or airline security may take them away from you.

According to the TSA, small scissors up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) in length are acceptable for carry-on-only passengers. Choose ones with rounded tips to be on the safe side. Additionally, keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need to bring them from home since most grocery stores and stationery stores also carry them. So, you can always buy one while traveling to any other country or city.

6. Tweezers

Tweezers are another tool that is frequently included as standard equipment in most first aid kits and can be used for a variety of practical purposes, including removing splinters and small pieces of dirt or stone when cleaning a wound.

7. Sanitizing wipes

Keeping antiseptic wipes is a crucial component of any good first aid kit, but for some reason, most people tend to overlook them when thinking about first aid. Antiseptic wipes are generally used for cleaning a cut or wound before applying a dressing to avoid infection from germs or dirt.

For most packs, a mere handful will be sufficient. These are easily available everywhere; you can always restock if and whenever required.

8. Painkillers

Painkillers are the most important pills to keep in your first aid kit. You might require these after trekking, going out in bright shiny sun, after very cold weather, and in many such extreme situations. It is usually enough to take one small packet of generic acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) or any of the brand names that are associated with it (such as Tylenol), though ibuprofen or other similar drugs are also acceptable (you must always consult your doctor before packing these). You must pack whatever you typically take for pain relief when you have a headache or other minor pain.

9. Tablets of loperamide

This is helpful for temporarily stopping diarrhea when you need to catch a bus or train and is also marketed under several brand names, including Imodium acceptable (you must always consult your doctor before packing these). Remember that these are only to be used in an emergency while you are traveling; they do not treat diarrhea and shouldn’t be taken when you have time to rest for a few days. The best way to treat diarrhea is typically to let everything go through normally and drink lots of water to replenish lost fluids.

Loperamide tablets can be beneficial additions to any travel first aid kit if used properly, sparingly, and by the instructions on the pack.

10. Cream with antihistamine

While we all are traveling, it happens to all of us most of the time. An insect bite results in an excruciatingly itchy bump or rash. Don’t worry, the bumps and stings almost always aren’t anything to be concerned about, but they are so annoying! To help control itchiness and swelling, a good antihistamine cream is a useful addition. In case of severe pain or rashes, remember, you must call a doctor to make sure everything is alright.

11. Topical antibiotics

Additionally, it’s a good idea to have antibacterial creams like Neosporin (you must always consult your doctor before packing these) in your bags in case you get any cuts or scrapes. This will hasten their recovery and help ward off any potential infections.

12. Disinfectants

Make sure to keep these. These are required to be cleaned before every minor or major cut or wound. You can ask your doctor for the best options to keep this.

13. Cold packs

Instant-activating, disposable cold packs for strains and sprains. This can also be used in case of burns and injuries.

14. Heating Packs

You might sprain your ankle or back. These heating packs come to rescue you in such situations by providing relief and soothing the pain.

15. Thermometer

Make sure to keep these. You might experience high temperatures in case of weather change or when you are too tired from your travel. Taking a thermometer for emergencies is always a good idea.

16. Calamine lotion

One should always pack calamine lotion to treat poison and insect bites and soothe itching ivy. These also help in soothing sunburns, if you experience any.

17. Rash Cream

Use hydrocortisone cream (you must always consult your doctor before packing these) to soothe itchy rashes on your skin.

18. SPF 15

Packing sunscreen higher than 15 SPF along with Aloe gel for sunburns is always the best option. As it has always been said, precaution is better than cure. Therefore, Sunscreens are better than sunburns.

19. Insect repellent

Since the chemical can be harmful when absorbed through the skin, insect repellents meant for use on children should only contain 10% to 15% DEET, while those meant for adults should contain 30% to 50% DEET or up to 15% picaridin. When applying insect repellent to infants 2 months or younger, use caution.

20. Hand sanitizer

After Covid-19, everyone has been very cautious about taking preventive measures seriously. Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol before touching any cuts or scrapes. Using hand sanitizers before every meal is equally important to make sure you aren’t catching any flu or diarrhea.

Keep in mind to check the dates on prescriptions and replace any needed items. It’s also a good idea to become familiar with fundamental first-aid procedures and be knowledgeable about how to use the supplies in your kit. Consider purchasing travel insurance that includes medical coverage for added peace of mind and become familiar with the local emergency services and medical facilities at your destination.

Important Reminder for first-time travelers:

If you are traveling with any generic medications, you must keep them in their original packaging in case customs officers need to inspect them. This article only serves as general health information and advice for travelers. You must always consult a doctor before packing and using any of the medications. It is equally important to stay in touch with a doctor you trust and who has a record of your medical history, in case of any medical emergency in any other country that you are traveling to.