Your travel first aid kit

A first aid kit can be invaluable when you’re travelling abroad. What you put in it will depend on your travel plans and personal requirements. For example, if you are travelling with children you will need child-friendly medicines and creams. There are few things more stressful than dealing with a sick child and trying to read medicine ingredients in a different language! And if you are going to a hot country insect repellent and sunburn treatment might be high on your list.

For information on what vaccinations you might need to enter a particular country and the latest health and safety news visit the government’s foreign travel advice website.

The basics

Here’s a list from NHS Choices of basic items you might want to include in a first aid kit.

• Antiseptic

• Painkillers

• Wound-cleaning gauze

• Sterile dressings

• Bandage tape

• Plasters

• Tweezers

• Scissors

• Thermometer

• Antihistamines

• Sunburn treatment

• Insect repellent

• Insect bite treatment

• Medication for pre-existing medical conditions

Other things you may want to include

These could include:

• sunscreen

• anti-diarrhoea medicine

• rehydration sachets

• anti-malaria medication

• mosquito net

• water disinfectant

• tissues

• antiseptic hand wash

• spare glasses or contact lenses

• condoms