WHAT ARE THE INDISPENSABLE MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO CARRY WHEN TRAVELING ?
The summer holidays are coming and you can not wait to enjoy memorable moments with your family ! But to avoid nasty surprises, don’t forget to put a complete first aid kit in your luggage. Whether you plan to relax on the beach, to hike in the mountains or to enjoy nature in the countryside, it is indispensable to be well prepared to face minor wounds and sicknesses at any time, especially if you travel with children, or if you go to a country where some medications may not be available. Here is all you need to know regarding what should contain your travel first aid kit.
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR FIRST AID KIT ?
A travel first aid kit must contain enough medicines and supplies to face minor injuries and infectious diseases. It must also be adapted to your destination, to the duration of your stay and to the number of people traveling with you. If you are not sure what to put in your medical kit, you can seek advice from pharmacists. These professionals are competent to give you information on the essential medications and products to bring with you when traveling.
If you have health problems and you follow a specific treatment, or if you intend to go to a country at risk of severe diseases where the medical infrastructure is not adequate, you must see a doctor prior to your departure, who will prescribe you all the adequate medicines you should bring.
Be aware that if you carry a certain quantity of drugs, you may require a medical prescription and an authorization of the custom services. Your doctor will also help you regarding this issue.
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR FIRST AID KIT ?
These are the indispensable supplies to put in your travel first aid kit : antiseptics, a sterile solution to clean wounds, ointment or antibiotic cream, bandages, dressings, gauze, medical tape, safety pins, scissors, hydrocolloid dressings for blisters, compression bandages for sprains, tweezers to remove splinters or ticks, syringes, needles, disposable latex or vinyl gloves and a thermometer. You must also bring essential medicines to prevent and treat nausea, headaches, stomach aches and other sufferings, as well as infectious diseases and allergic reactions. At last, you should not forget oral re-hydration salts, water purification products, eye drops, ear plugs, sunscreen, insect repellent and condoms.
SOLID OR LIQUID FORM ?
Preferably put medicines in oral solid form in your first aid kit, like tablets and capsules, as they are easy to keep and little sensitive to temperature changes, contrary to liquid medicines. Indeed, liquid medicines can not be kept for a long time once opened : they may be contaminated with bacteria or altered by heat for example. Suppositories are also delicate to keep, as they will melt at high temperature. For optimal preservation, keep your medicines in a small box.
