Travel Medical Kit - What to Bring?

Medical emergencies are not a welcome experience when travelling, but these emergencies do strike at the most unlikely of times. This is why every traveller’s luggage should contain a first-aid kit. Now that you have booked your cheap flights through Fly For Less and laid out your vacation itinerary, making sure that you are well-equipped for first-aid emergencies should be your next crucial step.

A handy travel medical kit can help treat minor bruises, headaches or travellers’ diarrhea – so you can get back on track faster and get the most out of your holiday. But what exactly should your travel first aid kit contain? Here is a review on the few essentials and some tips in packing the right medications while you’re on-the-go.

The Essentials

• Painkillers

Headaches and muscle pains are likely to strike during long travels, making painkillers a highly essential component in most travel kits. Effective painkillers include paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen. These painkilling medications are helpful for the alleviation of headache pain, menstrual cramps or toothache.

• Antihistamines for allergies

If you have allergies or if you will be travelling to a tropical destination or anywhere that requires you to be outdoors most of the time, antihistamines are indispensable. Antihistamines provide relief from itching, insect bites and certain types of rashes.

• Motion Sickness medications

People who are prone to motion sickness will do well to include a stash of motion sickness tablets in their medical kits. Pop the right dosage before your scheduled trip to make sure that you will be travelling comfortably.

• Diarrhea, Constipation and Heartburn meds

Digestive problems can strike anyone when travelling. Travellers’ diarrhea is pretty common, while some people suffer from constipation while on holiday. Loperamide and oral rehydration solutions are helpful for diarrhea, while laxatives can help aid in easier bowel movement. If you tend to suffer from heartburn especially when consuming spicy or salty foods, don’t forget to pack antacids in your kit, too.

Solutions for External Use

Antiseptic solutions, adhesives and insect repellents are also a few of the essentials to include in your travel medical kit. These are especially important for camping, hiking or climbing trips or if you will be travelling with children. If your itinerary requires you to be outdoors a lot, these external solutions will come in handy during emergencies.

• Antiseptic solutions and ointment
• Bandages and plasters
• Topical ointments for certain skin allergies
• Thermometer
• Medical adhesive tape
• Insect repelling lotions
• Eye drops
• Sunscreen

A Few Helpful Tips

You don’t necessarily need to pack everything during every single trip, however. Before setting out on your trip or holiday, take stock of the medications you have in your kit and see whether you can do without some or add a few, considering your destination. If you know you will be spending most of your time in a posh hotel or in fancy restaurants, you can do away with insect repelling solutions. You will not need sunscreen if you will be travelling in the dead of winter or require bandage or plasters if you will be staying indoors anyway, or if you know you will have ready access to first-aid in your planned destination.

Your kit should also reflect your current health needs, as well as those of family members you are travelling with. If you are taking prescription medications regularly, make sure you are bringing enough to last you through the trip. You will also want to bring doctor’s prescriptions with you.

Finally, don’t forget to check the expiration dates of all the medications you have in your kit. Update your travel medical kit as regularly as needed and take some time to tailor its contents according to your specific needs. Let Fly For Less take care of your tickets, accommodations and even insurance, but don’t forget to take a good first-aid kit with you, for stress-free, easy travelling!