Topic Overview
What you pack in your first aid kit will depend on where and how long you plan to travel and the medical care available there. Here is a general list of items to include.
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen (SPF 30 to 50) and lip screen
- Thermometer
- Oral rehydration solution packets
- Basic first aid items (adhesive bandages, gauze, elastic bandage, antiseptic, tweezers)
- Antibacterial hand wipes
- Moleskin for blisters
- Extra pair of prescription glasses or contacts
Visit a travel health clinic or talk to your doctor about which of the following medicines to include and how to take them:
- Antibiotic for self-treatment of moderate to severe diarrhea
- Antihistamine, decongestant, and cough suppressant, alone or in combination
- Motion sickness medicine
- Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen, or other medicine for pain or fever. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- Antidiarrheal medicine, such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
- Mild laxative
- Antacid
- Antifungal ointment
- Antibacterial ointment
- Hydrocortisone ointment
- Medicine to prevent malaria, if you are going to a place where malaria is a problem
Other items that may be useful in certain circumstances:
- Mild sedative
- Antianxiety medicine
- High-altitude sickness preventive medicine
- Water purification tablets or water filtering system
Related Information
Credits
Current as of: August 22, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
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Current as of: August 22, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease