When you’re constantly traveling or preparing for a family vacation, one of the most vital parts of your luggage is a first aid kit. It’s easy to buy a simple first aid kit at the store with many essentials. But, it’s easy to custom make your own first aid kit with essentials that are useful in any part of the world. Each item is also easy to find abroad in case you need it replaced while on the road. If you’re not sure what to pack in a first aid kit for any trip abroad, you’ve come to the right place!

Travel Insurance

Firstly, it’s important to keep some travel insurance in your first aid kit when going abroad. Hopefully, you won’t need to use it. But it’s important to look into travel insurance as soon as you finish booking those cheap flights or finish prepping for that last-minute summer vacation. With travel insurance, you can receive help from a medical professional in their community throughout your trip to keep you comfortable and safe if illness or injury strikes.

Antibacterial Products

Aside from keeping your hands bacteria-free in an instant, antibacterial products are extremely handy in many different situations. Having antibacterial hand sanitizer can keep you germ-free when a restroom lacks toilet paper, or you simply need a refresher after a long travel day. Pack an antibacterial topical solution to clean cuts and scrapes to keep these injuries from turning into an infection. These cleansing products can also be used to refresh your face quickly after a long and exhausting plane ride. Antiseptic wipes can be used for minor cuts and scrapes, from small scratches to rashes. They are also useful for cleaning the face after shaving, such as for nose bleeds or giving a quick wipe-down in case of an unexpected accident.

Allergy Medications

An antihistamine is an anti-inflammatory medication that treats insect bites or other allergic reactions. It’s used for treating hay fever, colds and reducing the symptoms of chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis. If you suffer from allergies, motion sickness, or have sensitive skin, then buy some antihistamine cream to take with you. Over-the-counter allergy medicine is different around the world, and confusing this medicine for something else can be life-threatening. Aside from packing your normal over-the-counter antihistamine, if you have any allergies, invest in an Epi-Pen – an epinephrine dose used in extreme allergy emergencies. This contains an antihistamine, which reduces the effects of histamine, a chemical released by the body in reaction to an allergen that causes swelling, redness, and irritation.

Sterile Gauze Pads

When you’re figuring out what to pack in a first aid kit for any trip abroad, gauze is a must-have. Gauze pads can be paired with surgical tape and be used to help with cuts, scrapes, and wounds. It’s essential to have this in your first aid kit to cover any abrasions that may occur during your journey or any cuts and scratches that are likely to happen while you’re out exploring. Plus, gauze pads are often easily accessible, sold cheaply in many pharmacies, and are easy to carry around with you. Fun fact: a neat tip is to use a gauze pad on a painful blister if your itchy travel feet are aching.

While you’re at it, throw in some bandages. Ideally, you should bring a mixture of sizes and shapes for any possible scenario that can occur. There’s nothing worse than realizing halfway through your trip that you’ve forgotten to bring a bandage. Make sure there are plenty of big ones for when you get blisters on your feet and little ones for scrapes and cuts.

Prescription Medications

For many travelers, this might seem like an obvious item to bring. Even more so, one may think it might be extremely easy to find a prescription abroad, but once again, some medications may not be known or even legally sold in other parts of the world. Aside from carrying your basic pharmaceutical prescriptions, have your local doctor’s information and insurance card handy in case you need a prescription or medical attention abroad. This can save lots of extra money in case you need a refill while traveling. Make sure to always consult with your doctor before trusting another doctor abroad as they may not understand your medical history as well.

Hydration

After traveling for a while, it’s easy to forget to drink enough water. It’s also easy to get dehydrated. You may also be eating or drinking certain things that will zap your body of its water content. When traveling with children, it’s good to keep both Pedialyte (a rehydrating drink) and electrolyte replacement drinks on hand. They are sold in powder and liquid form and will help replace the fluids you may lose when suffering from diarrhea or vomiting.

Loperamide Tablets/Imodium

An anti-diarrhoeal is a medication used to prevent and treat diarrhea. Loperamide is an over-the-counter anti-diarrhea product. It’s a common item found in travel kits and is especially useful for people prone to bouts of mild diarrhea. It can also help with minor pain relief from cramping or gas. If your stomach can’t deal with the meal you had the night before, or you’re not feeling well after the 24-hour bus journey you’ve just endured, loperamide tablets will help ease your pain a little.

Tweezers and Small Scissors

Although it’s tempting to take a pair of small scissors, tweezers are useful for several things. From removing splinters to picking out ticks, tweezers are vital to your travel first aid kit. They must be small enough to fit in your kit but strong enough to get the job done. A good pair of tweezers can make all the difference during your trip. There are circumstances when a small cut is so small that a couple of tweezers will make it easier to stitch up and prevent infection. Small scissors are also helpful if you have to perform minor skin surgery.

So, do you feel like you know what to pack in a first aid kit for any trip abroad? Tell us in the comments below!