First-aid kit for travelling abroad

Health and Nutrition > Diseases > F Written by Dr Charlie Easmon, specialist adviser in travel medicine



In alphabetical order, we take a look at what to include in your holiday first-aid kit. But don't think you need to haul all these items along with you every time - there's a difference between a trip to Bangkok and a stay in Paris. Think through the trip and buy what you need in sufficiently small portions.

And don't forget the medicines in your first-aid kit have a limited lifetime. Check 'use by' dates and ask your pharmacist for advice to ensure the contents of your kit remain effective and safe to use.

Allergies

Tablets containing antihistamines are effective against allergies, itching, skin rashes and insect bites.

Older antihistamines such as chlorphenamine cause drowsiness, so caution will be required when driving. Newer antihistamines such as loratadine are non-sedating.

Most remedies are available without prescription from a pharmacy.

Constipation

Unfamiliar food and travel can cause acute constipation. A laxative can be used in the short term. Laxatives come as suppositories, tablets or syrups. Constipation is best prevented with a high-fibre diet and fluids.

Diarrhoea

If you have diarrhoea when travelling it is important to keep hydrated by drinking oral rehydration solutions such as Dioralyte.

In an emergency many travel health professionals also recommend taking a single 500mg tablet of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. This is a prescription-only medicine, and you should discuss its use with your doctor before leaving for areas where it might be needed. This dose is for healthy adults who are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

Medicines such as loperamide can be used for short-term treatment of mild diarrhoea, and can be useful when travelling.

Heartburn and stomach acid

If you have a tendency to suffer from stomach acid, heartburn and a burning sensation when you consume sharp-tasting foods and drinks, take an antacid in your kit.

Infection and inflammation