What medications in your travel medical kit?

Since the time that we travel in the country, in Europe and all around the world and that we tell you about our adventures in our travel blog, we wanted to give you our advice to prepare your first aid kit Travel. The medications in your travel medical kit should be above all a first aid kit, a real travel survival kit. It must contain medicines, essential items that we will detail and important documents related to your health.

In short, we will tell you everything to help you stay comfortable and safe during your future trips. It is important, even essential, to prepare your travel medicine kit well, especially when traveling independently but also when opting for an organized trip.

The names of the drugs mentioned in this article are given for informational purposes only. Obviously, we are not replacing family physicians. Before a trip, we advise you to contact your doctor to get an update on the vaccines.

When organizing your travel medicine kit, here are the key points to remember:

Kit as compact as possible, wear-resistant and airtight.
You need to know exactly what’s in your first aid kit and how to use it. Prepare a list of the medications you take, the symptoms they treat, the dosage, etc.
Content should be tailored to your needs, taking into account geographic considerations and planned activities.

1. What you absolutely need to take with you on a trip

Here are the essential items to include in your travel first aid kit.

Very useful ZIP bags!!!

• Adhesive bandages, plasters of several sizes
• Scissors, tweezers (sea urchins, splinters for example)
• Sterile gauze pads
• Antibacterial hand sanitizer
• Antibacterial and antifungal spray or cream
• Antiseptic wipes
• Thermometer

Remember that sharp objects, such as scissors, should be kept in checked baggage if you are traveling by air. Find out more about the rules and instructions on the plane. You will know almost everything about the dimensions of cabin baggage and checked baggage.

2. Medications to take on a trip: the travel medicine kit

Here is a list of some medications that we always take with us on our long trips.

The names of the drugs are given for information only! Consult your doctor to define which medications are best for you (due to allergies, other treatments, etc.)

Be sure to bring enough medication for your entire trip.

• Antidiarrheal drugs: Severe diarrhea: Zithromax / Diarrhea: Immodium
• Intestinal dressings: Smecta
• Anti-nausea, anti-vomiting drugs: Vogalene
• Fever and pain / Anti-inflammatory. Moderate: Analgesic (reduces pain): Dafalgan (paracetamol) /
• Intense: analgesic: Ibuprofen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Caution: do not combine with anti-inflammatories or corticosteroids.
• Stomach pain: Spasfon
• Itching: Diprosone (topical corticosteroid) for reactions to nasty insect bites.
• Allergies: Aerius, anti-allergy without fatigue effect (works well for jellyfish allergy).
• Eye infection: Azyter 1 dose. Antibiotic if eye infection, conjunctivitis.
• Broad spectrum and antibacterial antibiotic (angina, skin infections, ENT infection): Pyostacin

Keep packaging (original labeled container)

When traveling by plane, keep the medicines you really need in your hand luggage in case your main luggage, in the hold, gets lost.

Read also: Travelers Diarrhea | Health Tips To Avoid and To Treat Them

3. Also to take with you on a trip

You can also include other items in your travel medicine kit, depending on your destination and the nature of your trip:

• Sunscreen cream
• Cream, after-sun lotion (aloe vera gel)
• Mosquito spray
• Earplugs
• Mosquito net
• Water purification tablets
• Condoms

4. Important documents related to your health

Finally, here are some important documents you will need to include in case of a medical emergency.

• Local emergency telephone numbers (nearest hospitals for example).
• Proof of your health insurance coverage.
• A copy of your vaccination records, including a yellow fever vaccination certificate if required by the country you are going to visit.
• A contact card with information about you: accommodation at your holiday destination, a member of your family, the embassy of your country of origin in your country of destination and the emergency number of your health insurance.

5. Medicines and other necessities with a child

• An analgesic and antipyretic: Paracetamol
• An anti-secretory antidiarrheal
• An antiemetic for motion sickness
• Physiological serum to clean the nose, wounds
• Rehydration sachets
• A skin antiseptic
• Tablets to sterilize baby bottles (for young children)
• Skin and fabric impregnation insect repellents
• Healing cream or water paste (dermatitis or eczema)
• An ointment against bruises and bumps (Arnica, Weleda)
• An ointment against itching after an insect bite.
• Eye antiseptic and anti-irritation eye drops
• A sunscreen cream

What medicines and things to take with you in the cabin on the plane?

• Paracetamol for headache.
• Compression stockings.
  Plastic bag for vomiting.
• Clothes to change.
• 1 anti-nausea olfactory stick (Lemon or Mint).

6. Useful links related to health

World Health Organization
Updated information from the health monitoring institute
Ministry of Health

7. In Conclusion about the medications in your travel medical kit

You never know when you might need medical attention during your trip, so prevention is better than cure. A little preparation can save you from wasting precious time in the event of health concerns or an accident during a trip. Having a well-prepared medicine kit will give you peace of mind so you can fully enjoy your trip.

In conclusion, we hope that you will not often need your travel medicine kit. If you think that an essential element is missing or if you have a suggestion, do not hesitate to leave us a comment at the bottom of the page.

Sources: VillaCarissaBali, PinterPandai, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Cleveland Clinic

Photo credit: Peggy_Marco via Pixabay