Dr Chris Steele's DIY travel first aid kit

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Everyone should take a first aid kit when travelling. You can buy it from the chemists or put it together yourself. Either way your kit should contain at least the following items.

Medicine

Basic items

These include items to deal with minor cuts and grazes, sprains etc.

  • Plasters (waterproof)
  • Antiseptic wipes for cleaning wounds when water may not be safe
  • Antiseptic cream/lotion/spray
  • Adhesive tape (non allergenic tape for sticking down dressings)
  • Non-sticky sterile dressings
  • Bandages: crepe bandage for strains, cotton for wounds
  • Scissors
  • Safety pins
  • Tweezers (useful for splinters)
  • Thermometer
  • Blister plasters
  • Anti-bacterial eye drops
  • Alcohol based hand gel (useful for areas with poor sanitation)

    • Medicines

    These medicines are useful for minor illnesses which may occur, such as diarrhoea and insect bites and stings.

  • Paracetamol
  • Anti-diarrhoea tablets
  • Rehydration salts
  • Anti-histamine tablets
  • 1% hydrocortisone cream
  • Insect repellent
  • Calamine lotion for sunburn and insect bites
  • Water purification tablets for when the water may not be clean

    • If you suffer from "the runs" it's important to prevent dehydration, which can easily happen in a hot climate. Drink plenty of fluids, and use oral rehydration powders such as Diarolyte to replace lost salts.

    If you need to suppress the symptoms of diarrhoea, anti-diarrhoea tablets such as loperamide can be used when toilet facilities may be few or far between. These should never used if you have a fever or bloody diarrhoea. Under these circumstances you need to visit a doctor.

    Anti–histamine tablets or hydrocortisone cream can be used for treating allergic reactions to insect bites and stings. Hay fever sufferers should take their usual medication with them even if the season for their pollen trigger has passed in the UK.

    Sunlight can act as a trigger for cold sores, so if you are prone to these you may also want to take some cold sore cream.

    Other items

  • Suncream at least factor 15 (factor 30 for children), with a minimum four star rating
  • After sun lotion for sunburn!
  • Condoms/contraception
  • Indigestion remedy (for overindulgence!)
  • Anti-malarial medication

    • Anti-malarial medicines are essential if you are travelling to an area which has malaria. This has to be tailored to the area you are visiting and should be decided by your GP or at a travel clinic in advance.

    Don't forget your own medication if you have any pre-existing conditions. Take a doctor's letter with explaining why you have them.

    IMPORTANT: Make sure you pack your first aid kit in your checked in luggage when flying, DO NOT take it in your hand luggage. Due to security reasons, many first aid kit contents are forbidden in the cabin such as sharp objects and some liquids. Remember to only carry essential medication that you will need during your flight, airlines carry extensive first aid kits on board.

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