Travel first aid kit

What do you have in yours?

11 years ago, November 3rd 2012 No: 1 Msg: #162762 Delete Edit

B Posts: 1,309

We travel with a small first aid kit, but after reading a few blogs about people who have fallen ill while travelling, I think it may be too basic.

Ours contains paracetamol, aspirin, antiseptic cream, band-aids/plasters, small scissors, bandages, anti-diarrhoea tabs and intensive after-sun lotion (depending on destination). We also carry tweezers, sun screen and antiseptic hand gel separately (in my cosmetics case).

Do you have any other items in your first aid kits? Do many of you travel with antibiotics? Reply to this

11 years ago, November 4th 2012 No: 2 Msg: #162783 Delete Edit

littlewing
Cindy

B Posts: 897

Thanks for this topic guys, I seriously need to put together a first aid kit for the remoter atolls in FP, its made very clear there is limited if any electricity and services.

I always take my migraine medication and panadol and stomach upset tablets. Will add bandaids, antiseptic cream and a small spray bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide for coral cuts even if it hurts like hell. Sun screen. I should probably pack that too. If im in PNG or somewhere with a malaria problems i take doxycycline as a preventative measure daily. I still have a few boxes so will throw them in just incase. I always take seaquill and a nasal spray for diving incase of congested sinuses. Reply to this

11 years ago, November 4th 2012 No: 3 Msg: #162789 Delete Edit

tamandfamily
Tam & Family

B Posts: 320

My first aid kit is pretty poor if it can even be called that. Pretty much antihistemenes are the only item i normally take as i tend to break out in excema on my hands in any location that is super humid 😞

But... since having kids i always have kids panadol and some wiggles bandaids in my suitcase too 😊 I really need to probably put together a little first aid kid for travel but i feel like that is just another of a million things to take for kids bwah!

We do always carry sunscream and mosquito repellant on any holiday but i carry that everywhere at home too so nothing abnormal there. Reply to this

11 years ago, November 4th 2012 No: 4 Msg: #162815 Delete Edit

RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew

B Posts: 1,309

Oh yes forgot to mention insect repellent...for Asia we buy the ones with more than 10% DEET (eww - really hate it), but the little suckers still manage to get me in the most awkward of places 😞

Lucus Papaw ointment is excellent as a salve for bites, and also doubles as a lip balm and antiseptic for minor grazes or cuts. love that stuff! 😊 Reply to this

11 years ago, November 5th 2012 No: 5 Msg: #162817 Delete Edit

littlewing
Cindy

B Posts: 897

Hmm..thanks for that one, I have always loved Lucas Papaw ointment will throw that in too! Reply to this

11 years ago, November 7th 2012 No: 6 Msg: #162894 Delete Edit

roamingfox
Alma van As

B Posts: 179

I realise my 1st Aid Kit is perhaps a bit over the top, but having travelled in a few 3rd world countries with 2 teenage sons, my doctor and I felt it would be better to be fairly well prepared, so here goes:

Quite a few 'anti' meds..
Anti inflamatory tabs and sometimes cream
Broad spectrum anti biotic - not always advisable, I know, but sitting in the middle of nowhere, it helps sometimes
Anti histamine tabs and cream - good for allergies and bites
Paracetamol or pain killers/ something for fever
Rehydration sachets - have needed them on two occasions (heat stroke & with diarhoea) and are well worth it when in a country with temperatures between 40 - 50 degrees C
Something for tummy upsets - such as Kantrexil
Motion sickness tabs
Malaria prophylaxis if in malaria area & insect repellant
Useful to have: spray on plaster - like a plastic coating
Something for burn wounds - we often cook with open fires
Various sizes of other plasters or a roll of micropore, gauze, antiseptic cream

On one occassion we have even taken our own needles (sealed in their package) in case we needed some injections and we were not too sure if we would be given new and sterilised needles - sounds daft, but it does happen where medical facilities aren't the greatest!

Antiseptic hand spray, sun screen and believe it or not, all this doesn't take up much more space than a large purse!

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11 years ago, November 7th 2012 No: 7 Msg: #162901 Delete Edit

The Travel Camel
Shane Dallas

B Posts: 7,300

Definitely take antibiotics with you, it may have saved my life after succumbing to scrub typhus. If something untoward starts happening, it is good to know you have a course with you.

I take Betadine sore throat gargle, in addition to the antiseptic lotion of the same brand.

For diarrhoea, you'll need the usual "stoppers" (i.e. Imodium) but if that continues for more than a couple of days, it is more likely that you are suffering from a bacterial infection and so popping some Norfloxacin usually helps - however it is a potent little tablet, so use it only when you know you need it.

The rest of my pack has paracetamol, bandages, malaria medication (if required), a powerful insect repellent and tweezers. I also carry a medical certificate from my doctor stating that I am required to carry all relevant medications. Reply to this

11 years ago, November 8th 2012 No: 8 Msg: #162932 Delete Edit

RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew

B Posts: 1,309

Shane it was your blog (and that lovely shot of your spotty feet) that got us thinking about antibiotics. We went to the doctor to top up our travel shots today, and he agreed that carrying antibiotics would be a good idea for rural cambodia. Also recommended doxy malaria tabs - I so seriously hate taking those things 😞

Alma do you think the spray on plaster would stay water tight in the pool or surf? Need to look into this... Reply to this

11 years ago, November 8th 2012 No: 9 Msg: #162936 Delete Edit

roamingfox
Alma van As

B Posts: 179

Shane, well remembered, the medical certificate is a must with any prescribed medication.

Ren & Andrew, the spray on plaster would certainly stay water tight for a while in water, but it will eventually wear off, so it may need to be re-applied. It is not meant for very deep wounds, though. Paul has also used a plaster called Hydrofilm, when he needed to keep stitches dry and dived to a depth of 30m with it and it kept the wound dry, but of course one would have to have the right size plaster for the size of the wound, with a fair amount of extra area around the wound, to seal properly as well.

Doxy malaria tabs at least don't have too many side effects, just take them as prescribed and DON'T take them on an empty stomach - we did once, and ended up with some serious stomach ache, that luckily went away after a while!
Enjoy your trip to Cambodia! Reply to this

11 years ago, November 8th 2012 No: 10 Msg: #162949 Delete Edit

Bobjob987
Brian Skinner

N Posts: 13

Some rubbing alcohol, band-aids, and some advil. Reply to this

11 years ago, November 13th 2012 No: 11 Msg: #163060 Delete Edit

xtian
Christian Renee Friborg

N Posts: 41

Almost everyone will need to use a first aid kit at some time. Take the time to prepare a kit to have available for home and travel. First aid kits may be basic or comprehensive. What you need depends on your medical training and how far you are from professional medical help. Ready-made first aid kits are commercially available from chain stores or outdoor retailers. But you can make a simple and inexpensive first aid kit yourself. Be prepared to take enough medication to last at least as long as you may be traveling (or for a few days more in case of delays). Carry your medical information with you. In case of emergencies when first aid is only the beginning of care, people should be prepared to give emergency personnel all of their current and past medical history. Reply to this

11 years ago, November 21st 2012 No: 12 Msg: #163397 Delete Edit

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

B Posts: 10.9K

Ok, maybe I'm a bit paranoid but when I read Ren's opening statement and question I started laughing. I know she has been reading our blogs and we've had a slew of illnesses this time around. And then I read further to find out that Shane's blog with his foot rash is what prompted this conversation.

Love the topic and have a few suggestions. (recent experience)

Dave fell unexpectantly (Duh) and we were thrilled we had some oxycodone with us. We usually don't travel with drugs that strong but I had them left over from a procedure last year so we brought them with us. Thank goodness as Dave broke a couple of ribs and needed real pain meds.

This trip we have had to use our Cipro far too often but are thrilled we brought a nice supply with us. It is advised to take them for 3 days once the GI issue starts.

We agree with all the other advice above.

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11 years ago, November 21st 2012 No: 13 Msg: #163414 Delete Edit

RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew

B Posts: 1,309

In response to: Msg #163397

Hehe Merry, as said in Catch-22 'just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't after you'...

Shane's blog planted the seed, but it was your 'misfortunes' that got us really thinking about it. We've both got prescriptions for Cipro and I was only going to fill one of them, but now I'm thinking we should fill both. Reply to this

11 years ago, November 21st 2012 No: 14 Msg: #163415 Delete Edit

The Travel Camel
Shane Dallas

B Posts: 7,300

This doesn't look good - spots on my feet in Myanmar

The Travel Camel

December 31st 2011
A Malady in Mandalay

Since my infamous scrub typhus experience has prompted Ren to comment on it a couple of times, for those who wish to read on the medical ills on the road: A Malady in Mandalay

I've also included that photo of my feet looking very unwell. Reply to this

11 years ago, November 22nd 2012 No: 15 Msg: #163460 Delete Edit

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

B Posts: 10.9K

Shane,

I want you to know that the above photo kept me checking my body every single day we were in Burma.

Glad you have had a recovery.

Merry Reply to this

11 years ago, November 24th 2012 No: 16 Msg: #163534 Delete Edit

JenGog
Jennifer Jones

B Posts: 65

Our first aid kit bulges but then we are golden oldies and like to cover every eventuality. Tea tree oil - good for most things and definately antibiotics. Reply to this

11 years ago, November 24th 2012 No: 17 Msg: #163538 Delete Edit

endahkurnia
Endah Kurnia Wirawati

B Posts: 7

first Aid Kit?

I only bring some medicine for headache and heartburn, a hot balsam, and band-aid.
:P Reply to this

11 years ago, November 26th 2012 No: 18 Msg: #163594 Delete Edit

xtian
Christian Renee Friborg

N Posts: 41

Its okay but when the time comes that you have other illness? what will you do? it is better to add some other medicine just to be sure. Reply to this

11 years ago, December 4th 2012 No: 19 Msg: #163940 Delete Edit

deleted_184111
deleted_184111

D Posts: 15

A First-Aid Kit is essential when travelling around...whether it's a first world country or a third world country. It's such a relief to know that you have something to ease the pain, cure symptoms and that you won't have to leave the comfort of your guesthouse to go and buy something!

We've done a 13 month trip and an 18 month trip. Check out our list of what to pack in a First-Aid Kit for a long trip.

Stay Healthy!
Goats On The Road Reply to this

11 years ago, December 7th 2012 No: 20 Msg: #164057 Delete Edit

emrdoc
docupt

D Posts: 5

I love to travel but I always seem to forget that I should bring first aid kit. All I have is the hand sanitizer. Great to have read this blog and be more careful next time.

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[Edited: 2012 Dec 07 04:18 - The Travel Camel:11053 - Please do not drop commercial links in this forum, thanks]

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Travel first aid kit

This doesn't look good - spots on my feet in Myanmar