After being on the road for many years, I have had my fair share of close calls and illnesses. “Touch Wood” is nothing too serious but I have learnt that being prepared is much better than being caught out. Packing yourself a travel first aid kit will give you peace of mind and relief when needed the most.

I have been getting a lot of messages asking how I stay healthy (as can be) while travelling, the first tip is to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Look after your body and it will look after you when it comes to fighting an illness. Keep up a healthy/balanced eating and workout routine while at home and while you are on a trip. Check out 10 tips to staying fit while travelling for my routine.

Travelling can be challenging at the best of times; you are far from your comfort zone sometimes in a country where you do not speak the language, and you may not know where to even start looking for the basic essentials.

There is nothing worse than getting the dreaded “runs”; and not have some of the essentials to ease or help with the symptoms. Being sick on holidays sucks to start off with but not having relief is even worse

Sure you can buy a pre-made first aid kit, however, it is not equipped with travel essentials nor is it tailored to the mishaps that can happen when travelling.

The best advice I can give you is to pack your own travel first aid kit, here is the basic list of travel essentials you need to pack.

Simple Toiletry Bag

Start off with a suitable bag, a simple toiletry bag will do the trick it doesn’t have to be fancy. (If all goes well, this bag won’t even come out of your suitcase) but it is there if you need it. The bag needs to open all the way up and be able to fit all of your travel essentials.

What to pack in your Travel First Aid Essentials Kit

Pain relief medication

• Paracetamol or Ibuprofen that you can use for minor pain relief such as a migraine or headache.

Bandaids (plasters)

• You never know when you are going to get a cut or graze. It is a good idea to have a handful for those incidents.

Gauze and surgical tape

• Gauze is used to help stop keep the wound clean, stop bleeding, apply pressure to a wound, and with surgical tape can be used as a bandage. Get yourself individually wrapped, sterile squares Grauze, this alleviates the need to cut them up.

Self-Adherent Cohesive Tape

• Usually used to keep smaller dressings in place and sterile while you seek professional medical attention. The tape is also great for strains and sprains, elbows, knees all those lovely joints that often give us grief.

A small set of scissors and a set of tweezers

• The small scissors will come in handy If you have to cut bandages to suit the wound.

Antiseptic sterile wipes

• More so now than ever but you need to be able to keep a wound clean and sterile to avoid further infection

A small packet of tissues

• Also comes in handy if you need to BYO your own toilet paper

Small Bottle of Antiseptic (Betadine)

• Antiseptic ointment so that you can sterilise to cuts quickly and avoid infection.

General Antibiotic

• Go to your GP and ask for a General Antibiotic this is only a precaution if you come down with a virus that you need to help your body fight.

Diarrhea tablets

• Your GP will be able to give you a script for a general diarrhea tablet, again just a precaution but best to have them on you and not need them then the other way around.

Gastro Stop/ Imodium

• This relieves diarrhea symptoms for a short period of time, so you can catch that bus or train to the next destination. These don’t cure diarrhea just eases it, if you can rest for a few days and drink plenty of water.

Sudafed

Depending on the season, different pollens and smells may wreak havoc with your sinus have some, Sudafed relieves those symptoms.

Cold and Flu Tablets, Throat Lozenges

• The fact of the matter is you will most likely pick up a common cold along the way, from the aircon, ventilation system or sudden climate change. If you have the cold and flu tablets with you, at least you will have relief from the symptoms.

Vitamin C

• You have to stay strong and help your immune system as much as possible when travelling

Hand Sanitizer

• This was important before the Covid19 outbreak, ensure you have a bottle on you at all times.

Sunscreen

• Slip, slop, slap people you need to look after your skin

Mosquito Repellent

• Especially for remote areas or jungle type trips, be sure to check the countries vaccine regulations you might require a malaria shot.

Disposable face masks and gloves

• Due to Covid19, you will most likely always have to carry a face mask with you, to protect yourself and others from spreading any kind of viruses. Make sure you have a few spare and some disposable gloves for emergency situations.

Important note: I am not offering medical advice, only general advice based on personal opinion. Please check with your GP before taking any type of medicine.

Important Note:

You need to tailor your travel first aid kit depending on your trip. For example, if you are doing a jungle trek it will require a lot more essentials than a city break through the US.

Just remember when packing any medication, keep it in its original packaging. If it is individually prescribed medication always carry a letter with you from your doctors explaining what the medication is and used for.

There are countries such as Dubai that do not allow some medications, be sure to check the embassy’s website before you go.

Pack your Travel First Aid Essential Kit Now!

These items may sit in your Travel Essentials Kit and not even see the light of day; that is best case scenario but if you are in that tight spot in a non-English speaking country; possibly in the middle of nowhere starting to feel that gurgle in your belly well at least you are prepared. This list of travel first aid essentials should keep the majority of travellers covered but please ensure that you take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy when you start planning your trip.

Pack your travel first aid kit now, store it in your suitcase so you have it all sorted for your next trip. Now that your travel first aid kit is packed, check out Travelling with your money. For the best and safest ways to travel with your hard-earned money.