Traveler's first aid kit: what to take with you abroad

Travel medicine: to take with you or to buy on the spot?

Everyone decides for himself, but there are at least three arguments in favor of a pre-packed first aid kit:

1. You may need medicine at the most inopportune moment: there may be no pharmacy nearby or you may have to look for the nearest one open after hours. In some countries, such as Germany, you may have to pay a surcharge at night.
2. You will have to explain yourself to the pharmacist in a language that is foreign to you (and sometimes to him).
3. A drug that is sold freely in Ukraine may be prescribed in another country, cost much more or be unavailable.

What medicines should I take for adults?

We suggest a basic list of medicines that you can adjust based on your health and the personal characteristics of your family members.

1. Medications that you take on a regular basis.
2. Antipyretics ("Solpadeine", "Paracetamol", "Nimesulide").
3. Pain reliever ("Ibuprofen," "Nurofen," "Panadol," "Tylenol").
4. A remedy for diarrhea ("Imodium", "Loperamide").
5. "Rehydron" to restore water-electrolyte and acid-base balance. It is used for dehydration, which can be caused by prolonged vomiting, diarrhea or profuse sweating in a hot climate.
6. Sorbent in case of food poisoning (activated charcoal or preparations based on it).
7. Antihistamines for those prone to allergies ("Zyrtec", "Allertek", "Cetirizine").
8. Pills from motion sickness ("Dramina", "Betaserk", "Avia-More").
9. Enzyme preparations that will help with overeating ("Festal", "Pancreatin", "Mezim").
10. In cold season: drops or spray for runny nose, lozenges or spray for sore throat.
11. Bandages, cotton swabs, absorbent cotton or cotton disks.
12. Hydrogen peroxide or Chlorhexidine to treat wounds.
13. A set of plasters of different shapes and sizes.

If a beach vacation is planned, add a sunburn remedy ("Panthenol", "Spasatel", "Bepanten") to your first aid kit. Keep in mind that most standard travel insurance does not cover the treatment of sunburns and photodermatitis, popularly known as allergy to the sun, so use all available means of protection.

Those who go camping will need the same "Rescue", hydrocortisone ointment or "Psilo-balm" (used to relieve irritation from insect bites), mosquito repellent.

We recommend taking ointment for bruises and sprains ("Voltaren", "Diclofenac"), several elastic bandages of different lengths and widths and sunburn remedy to a ski resort.

You can book the hotel with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

Vacation with children: what medicines to take for the child?

Before you a basic list, but to choose specific drugs, we recommend consulting with a pediatrician.

• Medications that the child takes constantly.
• Electronic thermometer.
• Antipyretic ("Panadol", "Nurofen").
• Spray for sore throat ("Ingalipt", "Chlorophillipt", "Hexoral").
• Drops ("Nazivin", "Vibrocil", "Pinosol") or saline solution for nasal lavage.
• Antiseptic of local use (iodine or zelenka in the form of a pencil).
• Sorbent ("Enterosgel", "Atoxyl", "Polysorb") in case of food poisoning.
• A remedy for diarrhea (for example, powder "Smecta").
• Antihistamine drug. From a month you can use "Fenistil" in drops, from six months - "Zyrtec" in drops or analogs with the active substance cetirizine, from 2 years - syrup "Claritin" or analogs with the active substance loratidine.
• Gel "Fenistil" to relieve irritation from insect bites, treatment of sun and household burns of mild degree.

How to pack a first aid kit for a trip?

1. Check the expiration date of the medicines you take from your home first aid kit and take into account the temperature conditions for storing them. You may need a cooler bag for their transportation (they can be small).
2. Leave the medicines in their original packaging - this will help to avoid unnecessary questions at the border.
3. Keep the instructions to be able to specify the international name or dosage at any time.
4. Prefer liquids and sprays to tablets and powders. This way you won't have to meet the norms if you fly with hand luggage only, or worry about whether the bottle will break in your suitcase.
5. It is desirable to take in hand luggage only the medicines necessary during the flight (liquids should be in bottles of up to 100 ml).
6. If there are a lot of medicines, pack the main first aid kit in your luggage.

How to take prescription medicines across the border?

There are usually no problems with standard medicines for headaches, upset stomach or fever. The main thing is not to overdo the quantity. There should be as much medication as one person or family member may need during the trip (taking into account possible delays).

But if you are taking sleeping pills, strong painkillers or other prescription drugs under a doctor's prescription, you should proceed as follows:

1. Check to see if the drug is legal to bring into your country of travel. For example, in the U.S., drugs containing addictive substances are illegal: some sleeping pills, cough medicines, antidepressants, stimulants, and even corvalol and valocordine containing phenobarbital. You can only carry them if you have a prescription.
2. Get a prescription with your name and surname, diagnosis, name of the drug and recommended regimen. The document must be signed by the attending and head doctor, then stamped by the medical institution and translated into English.
3. Carry medicines in their original packages, with instructions attached.
4. Declare them at the airport of arrival.

How to buy medicines in another country?

Most often you need a prescription from a local doctor to buy a prescription drug (some places accept "our" prescriptions with translation, but you should not count on it). Where to get medicine when traveling? Go to any doctor, pay for the appointment and get a prescription. If you have an insurance policy, the visit should be coordinated with the insurer by calling the 24-hour line. It will be paid only if the illness occurs after you have signed a contract with the insurer.

Medications for headaches, diarrhea, nose drops, and antipyretics can be bought without a prescription in most countries. Keep in mind that they may be called differently - write down the international non-proprietary name (indicated in Latin in the instructions) and show it to the pharmacist.

Should I buy medical insurance?

Our opinion - absolutely. Having a fully stocked first aid kit does not negate the fact that you may need qualified medical assistance during your trip.

A policy with €30,000 coverage for 7 days from ARX will cost you about €5.5. In Europe, that's the cost of 2 cups of coffee (or even one in some places). Does it make sense to save money? Let's do the math.

Simple math: without insurance, you will have to pay at least €20-25 just for a visit to a therapist, and more than €100 for a day in the hospital. It seems that peace of mind doesn't cost that much.