Use this checklist as a guide to things you may need in your medical kit when travelling – you may need less or more, depending on the activities you may undertake, and the remoteness of the area you visit.
Think about the area you are visiting and what may or may not be available there. Some careful planning and packing before your trip can avoid any wasted time, inconvenience or worse while you’re away. Check with your doctor or travel clinic for advice if you aren’t sure what you may need to keep your travels safe and healthy.
- Analgesic (pain relief) medicine such as paracetamol or aspirin.
- Antihistamine tablets for bites, stings or allergies.
- Cold and flu tablets.
- Cough medicine.
- Motion sickness tablets.
- Throat lozenges or drops.
- Antiseptic solution for cleaning wounds or bites.
- Antiseptic ointment to apply to a wound.
- Blister and wound patches, such as sticking plasters.
- Medical adhesive tape, e.g. Micropore.
- Wound dressings, e.g. a crepe bandage, gauze swabs and OpSite, and Steristrips, which can often take the place of stitches.
- Safety pins, scissors and tweezers (you may not be allowed to carry these in your cabin luggage).
- Insect repellent containing DEET (diethyl toluamide).
- Sting relief solution, e.g. Stingose (aluminium sulfate).
