Medicine
Following is a list of items you should consider including in your medical kit - consult your pharmacist for brands available in your country.
- Aspirin or paracetamol - for pain or fever
- Antihistamine - for allergies, eg hay fever; to ease the itch from insect bites or stings; and to prevent motion sickness.
- Antibiotics consider including these if you're traveling well off the beaten track' see your doctor, as they must be prescribed, and carry the prescription with you.
- Loperamides or Diphenoxylate 'blockers' for diarrhea' Prochlorperazine or metaclopramide for nausea and vomiting.
- Rehydration mixture to prevent dehydration, eg due to severe diarrhea; particularly important when traveling with children.
- Insect repellent, sunscreen, lip balm and eye drops.
- Calamine lotion, sting relief spray or aloe vera-to ease irritation from sunburn and insect bites or stings.
- Antifungal cream or powder - for fungal skin infections and thrush.
- Antiseptic, such as povidone-iodine for cuts and grazes.
- Bandages, band-aids or plasters and other would dressings.
- Scissors, tweezers and a thermometer (note that mercury thermometers are prohibited by airlines)
- Syringes and needles in case you need injections in a country with medical hygine problems. Ask your doctor for a note explaining why you have them.
- Cold and Flu tablets, throat lozenges and nasal decongestant.
- Multivitamines - consider for long trips, when dietary vitamin intake may be inadequate.
