Planning your travel medical kit

The Essential Travel Med Kit

Travelers shouldn't leave home without a medical kit filled of essential items. Although the contents of your medical kit will vary depending on where you're headed and the general state of your health, doctors agree that there are some items that should be inside your travel medical kit.

Prepackaged antiseptic towelettes, bandages, and topical antibiotics.
The more you're out and about, the more probable you are to get a few scrapes. There's no sense letting a minor scratch develop into a major infection especially if your destination is somewhere remote.

Mini- Flashlight.
Although not essentially a medical supply, a flashlight is necessary in many situations, from dark city streets to midnight trips in a jungle while trekking.

Pepto-Bismol and Imodium.
Useful for your stomach troubles.

Moleskin.
This adhesive padding can be the key to preventing the activity-limiting blisters that are likely to develop as you trek from site to site or walk for an extremely long distance or period.

Sunscreen.
A sunburn is not only annoying but also cancer-causing. It can also hamper your skin's ability to perspire, which is essential for preventing your body from overheating in hot climates.

Motion-sickness remedies.
Dramamine tablets and Scopamine patches can relieve a lot of discomfort if the boat crossing is rougher than expected or the bus ride is wickedly bumpy.

Thermometer in a sturdy case.
To accurately tell if you are having a fever than needs a doctor’s attention.

Pain relievers.
Such pain relievers as Tylenol, Advil or Panadol can come in handy for treating headaches, joint pain, and fever.

Allergy medicine.
Never leave home your medications should you be suffering from any kinds of allergies. Your allergies may not be acting up at home prior to departure, but changes in altitude and a different climate at your destination may trigger even an occasional allergy. Make sure you have an ample supply before you hit the road.

Special ointments.
If you are a woman prone to yeast infections, You can easily get over-the-counter creams for these infections and if you are a person who suffers from athlete's foot or jock itch, don't forget an antifungal cream.

Repellents.
A mosquito repellent containing DEET (N,N-diethylmetatoluamide) is especially critical if you are traveling to tropical areas where malaria, yellow fever, dengue, and other mosquito-borne diseases are likely to appear.

Antimalarial drugs.
These are essential if you are traveling to an area where malaria is prevalent, such as Africa, central and northeastern South America, India, and Southeastern Asia. You will need a prescription for an anti-malaria pills from your doctor.

Condoms.
Lifesavers. No matter where you are, who you with and when you doing it.


But having a travel medical kit is only half the battle plan. Get a checkup; discuss your travel plans with your doctor about taking the necessary shots, medicines or tests. Make a list of any medical issues that might affect your plans, anything from serious conditions like asthma and high blood pressure to minor complaints like tennis elbow or foot calluses.
Create a “health” contingency plan with such things as medications, ice packs, and so on. Figure out ways to cope with your health needs while on the road, like having your prescriptions called into a pharmacy in your destination or where the nearest hospital or private clinic is as well as the standard of medical care in your destination.