As an expat, holidays may now be quite different to what you were used to. Now, your annual leave may often consist of going back home and visiting friends and family. Enjoying things that you forgot you missed so much when you were outside of your hometown. absorbing the change of scenery and maybe soaking up the culture that you did not appreciate when you were living in your home country.
Wherever you travel, back home, or maybe on an exotic trip elsewhere, it is important to prepare well. If you travel, either during this season or at any other time of the year, it is advisable to carry a first aid kit in your suitcase. This will contain basic medications to deal with possible minor medical problems that may arise during the trip. Although if you have any doubts please know that through Foyer Global Health you have access to an online doctor with one click of a button 24/7/365.
If you are traveling with children, it is especially important to be prepared for any setbacks. Although self-medicating should not be the norm, it is advisable to have an emergency kit that includes basic medications, in case it is necessary to wait for medical assistance.
Firstly, it is important that if both adults and children take medication of any kind, to make sure to carry enough for the days they will be away. It is recommended that, If you are travelling by plane, it is recommended that you keep any daily medication on your person and in your hand luggage, being mindful not check it inside the suitcase, to avoid running out of medication in case of loss of luggage.
Before traveling it is advisable to do research and find out whether the location requires a specific vaccination such as prophylaxis, as is the case with malaria.
A good first aid kit should carry at least carry the following medicines and health products:
Children’s kit
- Thermometer
- Band-aids of different sizes
- Gauze
- Surgical tape
- Round tip scissors
- Pincers
- Saline in individual ampoules
- Graduated syringes and droppers to dose liquid medications
- Vinyl gloves (2 pairs)
- Antiseptic wipes (can always be carried by hand in the bag)
- Antiseptic (chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine)
- Mosquito repellent
- Antipyretics (paracetamol)
- Anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen)
- Antihistamine
- Antidiarrheal
- Sachets of rehydration serum (unprepared, powdered, take less space and work well)
- Medication for motion sickness (especially if the child has dizziness when traveling by car or if the trip is by boat)
- Sunscreen 50+
- Thermal blanket (can be carried in the vehicle or if an excursion is made)
Adult medicine cabinet
- Surgical tape
- Sticking plasters
- Disinfectant (povidone-iodine, hydrogen peroxide)
- Sterile bandages and gauze
- Pincers
- Scissors
- Thermometer
- Ointment against burns (nitrofurazone, silver sulfadiazine)
- Sunscreen with a factor greater than or equal to 30
- Skin moisturizer
- Laxative medication (Plantago ovata, lactulose)
- Antidiarrheals (loperamide, racecadotril)
- Oral rehydration serum
- Antiemetics (metoclopramide, domperidone)
- Analgesics (paracetamol, metamizole)
- Anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, diclofenac, Dex ketoprofen)
- Mosquito repellent
- Insect bite relief
- Antihistamines (dexchlorpheniramine, loratadine)
- Anti-motion sickness medication (biodramina)
- Artificial tears, for dry or irritated eyes
Don’t forget…
It is important to remember to always check the expiration date of drugs and other medical products, and to check whether they need to be kept cold, or if they have to be prepared beforehand. Please be vigilant about half-empty bottles, since, if the medication in question is needed, you might not have enough.
It is equally important to carry your medical insurance policy information with you, as it is to always carry the telephone number for medical assistance and it is advisable to locate, before the trip, the health centers closest to your destination.
The contents of your first aid kit are as relevant as their correct maintenance. The kit should be protected from direct sun exposure and stay in a dry place. Obviously, it must be out of reach of children. There are cases specifically designed to be used as a first aid kit and they often come partially complete.
Travelling with a simple first aid kit will allow you greater peace of mind, and the ability to enjoy your well-deserved vacation. If during your trip, or in your normal day-to-day, you would like to discuss a medical situation or concerns with a doctor, please do not hesitate to contact the Telemedicine service from Teladoc Health. This service is offered within our insurance without any additional cost.
Register on the portal for virtual doctor services at the click of a button:
Have a save and healthy trip!
