Are you making plans to travel this holiday season? Or are you a more spontaneous traveller? Whichever category you fall under, some things are better when planned beforehand. A travel first aid kit is one of them. A first aid box not only helps for everyday wounds and scratches that tend to occur but it is also essential in keeping you safe. By having a travel first aid kit, you can speedily treat any mishaps that come up.
Essentials for your Travel First Aid Kit
When picturing a travel first aid kit, the first thing that comes to your mind is first aid for cuts and wounds, including all kinds and sizes of wound plasters and tapes. But, that's not all; you need more than just small wound plasters. So refer to the following guide while building a travel emergency kit.
Wound plasters
Scraped knees and bruised elbows are not uncommon when you’re on the go. Having a good supply of wound plasters to back you up is a must. Additionally, it will save you the inconvenience of finding a medical store in a strange place. They can also be useful in case of shoe bites from excessive walking.
Heat plasters
Travelling is all about the outdoors. With all of the moving around and sightseeing that you will be doing, you might develop backaches, neck aches or strained muscles. In situations like this, heat plasters can come in handy. These odourless heat plasters are an easy on-the-go fix for muscle pain. They can be used for calf pain, back pain, neck pain and other muscular pains.
Cotton crepe bandages
Whether you have accidentally twisted your ankle while sight-seeing or you have recently injured yourself and are in the process of healing, it is advisable to carry a crepe bandage to prevent the misalignment of your bones. Crepe bandages provide firm support and optimum compression to ensure the comfort of the injured area. You can also learn to wear a sling with 5 simple steps in case of an emergency.
Fixation tape
When handling a cut or wound, it is essential to secure the wound dressing completely. This is where a fixation tape comes into the picture. As the name suggests, this tape's job is to make sure the dressing is secure. It can be used to secure cotton gauze and wound pads.
Antiseptic cream
Antiseptic cream is a multi-purpose must-have for when you are travelling. It can be applied to help soothe cuts and wounds, to protect against infection and to treat burns. It also helps with insect bites, nappy rash and sunburns, making it quite the handy add-on to your kit.
Necessary medicine
With all that travelling, you are definitely going to need over the counter motion sickness medicine. Make sure to carry all the basic pills such as paracetamol, antacids, allergy medicine, etc. And of course, don’t forget to bring along any daily prescription medicine that you are supposed to take.
Essential tools
There are a few simple tools that are essential in every kit such as a thermometer, to check temperatures, sanitiser, tweezers, scissors, rubber gloves, and gauze.
According to your knowledge and needs, you can add more items to personalize your travel first aid box, but these wound plasters, medications, and assisting tools should always have a room in your kit.
Read more: Most Common Wound Care Myths Busted.