Medications to Bring During Holidays

Going on holidays soon? don’t forget to bring your medications during your holidays. Here are some tips about medications to bring during holidays (local and going abroad).

How to prepare your medicine kit to go on a trip?

Are you going on a trip soon, and are you wondering what medicines, medical documents and care equipment you need to bring? Here are some tips so you don’t forget anything, depending on your destination and your state of health.

HEALTH: WHAT SHOULD YOU THINK BEFORE A TRIP?

A trip begins with its preparation and various procedures are to be expected, several weeks before departure.

Consult your dentist, especially if you have chronic (gingivitis) or recurring (cavities or abscessed) dental problems.

Check that you have a blood group card and an international vaccination record for destinations outside the your country.

Make sure you have a medical report (in English) if you have a chronic illness.

Ask for a health insurance card if you are traveling in the area concerned.

Take out medical repatriation insurance.

Find out about the conditions of access to the chosen country, depending on the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic. Consult the Advice by country page on their website.

Plan all the necessary things to be able to:
  • continue your usual treatments away from home;
  • treating minor injuries and ailments;
  • prevent certain infectious or parasitic diseases, in particular those transmitted by mosquitoes (e.g. malaria)…
There is no typical travel kit. The packing list depends on:
  • your current state of health and medical history;
  • your destination (e.g. rural or urban area) and its characteristics (permanent presence of certain infectious diseases, precarious hygiene conditions, difficulty in accessing medical care, etc.);
  • the time of your stay (e.g. dry or wet season) and its duration;
  • the type of trip you are undertaking (professional or tourist, individual or group, organized or “adventure”) and your accommodation conditions.
What vaccinations before a trip abroad?

Before a trip, several vaccinations may be necessary (for example against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcus C, yellow fever or typhoid fever).

Their achievement depends on:

  • the administrative obligations of each country;
  • the risks actually incurred, depending on the health situation on site at the time you leave.

To update or carry out the required vaccinations, consult your doctor or go to a tropical medicine center. The consultation must take place at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure, to ensure the effectiveness of the vaccine(s).

WHAT IS THE ESSENTIAL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR FIRST AID WHILE TRAVELING?

Plan what to treat benign lesions and prevent certain risks, that is to say:

  • a hydro-alcoholic disinfectant (based on water and alcohol) to disinfect the hands to be used in the absence of water and soap;
  • sterile compresses and plaster or sterile dressings, as well as haemostatic compresses to help stop bleeding in the event of a cut;
  • a cream to soothe any sunburn, in addition to your sunscreen with a high protection factor (IP 50+);
    fatty dressings (or “interface”), for burns and oozing skin wounds. Depending on the climate and weather conditions of your destination, pay attention to the storage conditions for this type of dressing as they may include restrictions with respect to heat or humidity;
  • adhesive strips (promoting good healing of cuts);
  • a compression bandage (to treat a sprain or hold a bandage) a pair of scissors and a safety pin (safety pin) to attach it;
  • tweezers (to remove splinters) and a tick remover (to remove ticks);
  • a thermometer ;
  • if you are traveling by plane and/or if you have a condition predisposing to the risk of phlebitis, compression stockings or socks;
  • male or female condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections or “STIs”).

Read also: Bali for the Firstimer | Advice, Good Adresses and Idea for Visit

BASIC MEDICINES TO TAKE ON A TRIP

It is recommended to take several types of medication in your suitcase. In any case, take with you products whose use you know (indications, dosages) and in their original packaging (and not in bulk), in particular to be able to read the instructions if necessary.

Anti-nausea in case of motion sickness
Topical antiseptic
Analgesic (against pain) and antipyretic (against fever) medication
Allergy medication and emergency medication for known severe allergies
Anti-diarrheal medication and travel
Laxative medicine in a travel kit
Eye drops and saline, in single-use pods

Read also: Travelers Diarrhea

MEDICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR CERTAIN TRAVEL-SPECIFIC RISKS

  • Depending on the area where you are going to stay, you may need particular products.
  • Tablets or filters to purify water.
  • Oral rehydration sachets.
  • Products to prevent malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases.
  • A site to prepare your trip according to your destination.
  • You can consult the Advice by the country page on their website.

You will also find useful information about the obligations related to Covid-19.

A FEW TIPS WHILE TRAVELING IN CASE OF REGULAR TREATMENT

If you regularly take certain medications (eg to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), consult your doctor before you leave. This will allow you to prepare your trip well and to inform you on several points.

  • Organize to have enough medication during the trip and adapt to jet lag.
  • Transport your medications safely and legally.
  • Store and use your medications in hot weather and in very cold weather.
  • Obtain treatment for a stay abroad of more than 1 month and less than 6 months.

TIPS

If you are traveling by plane and plan to bring your kit in cabin baggage, remember to check the size of the containers and liquids accepted by your airline. Also remember to put some of your medication in your handbag or backpack that you will keep in the cabin and a reserve in your suitcase in the hold.

Sources: CleverlySmart, PinterPandai, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Cleveland Clinic

Photo credit: Peggy_Marco via Pixabay