By taking precautions, and having a travel medical kit stocked with a few essentials, you will be prepared to deal with any hiccups during a trip.
Benjamin Franklin once said
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
I don’t know how much travelling Benjamin Franklin did, but no one wants to be unwell or injured on their holiday. It makes for a much less enjoyable experience.
These are items I recommend you include in your travel medical kit. I also condense a couple of items into a money bag (as its a perfect travel size) to keep on my person at all times. I then leave the larger, but still travel sized, main medical kit in my luggage wherever I’m staying.
Keep reading for the list of 7 items you can easily take with you on your travels that fit into a small travel medical kit.
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1. Blister plasters
Blister plasters are the first item to include in a travel medical kit. They are often a life saver and always get included. I’m often on my feet exploring when I’m away, and having shoes that rub is one of the sure fire ways to put me in a bad mood! I’m sure it’s the same for most people.
I can recommend the Compeed brand blister plasters. If you keep these on you, as soon as you feel the slightest bit of discomfort, you can put an end to it.
2. Regular plasters
Regular plasters are item number two for your travel medical kit. Bringing a combination of waterproof and fabric ones, are good for any cuts or grazes you may get. I tend to be more clumsy on holiday, as I end up looking at everything around me, rather than watching where I’m going.
Having plasters of different sizes is useful, plus they hardly weigh anything, so it doesn’t hurt to include them in your medical kit.
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3. Antiseptic wipes
Antiseptic wipes are item number three to bring in your travel medical kit. Hygiene is important, particularly if you are travelling to somewhere that isn’t known for amazing standards of cleanliness. The smallest cut or graze can before long turn into a bigger problem.
I find it best to have antiseptic wipes available in your travel medical kit, just in case you need to clean any injuries. If you get individual sachets this ensures they stay sterile until you use them, and they won’t dry out.
4. Imodium or anti-diarrhoea tablets
Imodium tablets are always included in my travel medical kit. Being in a new environment, having unusual foods, or even just having a different routine, can all have a big impact on your digestive health. I know from experience as I’m a really fussy eater, so I’m even more picky about where and what I eat when on holiday.
There is nothing worse that having an upset stomach when you want to be making the most of your holiday. If you have anti-diarrhoea tablets with you, this can help as a short term solution to such a problem. Imodium now have these a version which melts on your tongue, so no horrible tablets to swallow.
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5. Paracetamol and/or ibuprofen
Painkillers are item number five to bring with you in your travel medical kit. Always have some form of pain relief with you. How many times have you carried around a heavy backpack and had aching back/neck/shoulder muscles? Or indeed sore feet from being on them from dusk until dawn out exploring the local culture?
It’s not always possible to rest long enough, or get a massage to soothe these types of aches. Taking some ibuprofen or paracetamol when you start to get any pain, helps to keep you a happy traveler.
6. Antacids
Antacids are item six to include in your travel medical kit. No one likes having heartburn or indigestion after a meal, but especially when they are on holiday. Some people know what foods give them indigestion, but sometimes if your trying new or different foods, these things happen.
Being able to ease these symptoms quickly is better than being uncomfortable. If you bring a few tablets with you (rather than liquid), they don’t take up much space, and you can carry on as normal, even after a big spicy meal.
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7. Multi-purpose ointment
A multi-purpose ointment is useful to include in your travel medical kit. I like to bring something that can help with any type of skin complaint. As I often like to travel to warmer climates, there are may things that can bite or sting you. Mosquitoes are the ones that come to mind most often, as I’m usually eaten alive! And in cold climates my lips get really chapped.
There are a couple of options like Hypercal cream (homeopathic remedy), Lucas Papaw Ointment or Tiger Balm that can be used for several different types of issues. I include either a small tube or tub of ointment in my travel medical kit.
Depending on where you are going, sometimes these items are cheaper so you could pick some up when you arrive at your destination. I did this during a trip to Bali, where Tiger Balm was significantly cheaper than it is in England.
Summary
Bringing these items in your travel medical kit can be really useful in preventing pain and discomfort, when you are exploring the world.
For my travel medical kit, I usually take all the items out of their boxes or packaging. Doing this helps keep the kit as compact as possible. Just make sure the items are easily identifiable, as you don’t want any issues when you arrive at your destination. Then I only keep one or two of each item in a money bag, and bring it out wherever I go.
Have I missed any key items? Is there anything else you always bring with you that you would recommend? Do let me know in the comments…
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